Abstract
One of the major motivators for diesel combustion work is the need for better understanding of the combustion and emission formation processes in diesel engines. This need is driven by pressures from several different directions. One of the most important pressures imposed on transportation systems is the need to be environmentally-friendly. Another pressure is energy efficiency. The requirements of clean environment often clash with those of energy efficiency. Studies of the various stages of the traditional diesel diffusion combustion model are leading to new insights into physical and chemical phenomena that occur during heat release. Research at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is capitalizing on these phenomena to benefit in maintaining engine performance as well as low emissions. In this paper the fundamentals of low flame temperature combustion are reviewed with specific emphasis on NO・and soot formation. The understanding gained is applied to a diesel engine designed for off-road applications and the results are demonstrated.
