Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Structures Inside Internal Combustion Engines Using Large Eddy Simulation Method

Abstract

Using two subgrid-scale models of Smagorinsky and its dynamic version, large eddy simulation (LES) approach is applied to develop a 3D computer code simulating the in-cylinder flow during intake and compression strokes in an engine geometry consisting of a pancake-shaped piston with a fixed valve. The results are compared with corresponding experimental data and a standard K-Ɛ turbulence model. LES results generally show better agreement with available experimental data suggesting that LES with dynamic subgrid-scale model is more effective method for accurately predicting the in-cylinder flow field. Representative Fiat engine equipped with moving valve and piston bowl is analyzed as the second case to assess the capability of the method to handle complex geometries and impacts of geometrical parameters such as shape and position of piston bowl together with swirling intake flow pattern on both turbulent structure of in-cylinder flow and engine performance using dynamic version of LES approach over a curvilinear computational meshed geometry. Results indicate that presence of piston bowl leads to eye-catching increment in both turbulent kinematic energy and tumble ratio amounts at the end of compression stroke by around 29% and 33%, respectively. The optimum swirl ratio found to be 4, leading to 67.9% increment in pre-injection turbulent kinetic energy in comparison with non-swirl pattern, whereas 20% eccentricity of cylinder bowl just led to 2% improvement in the pre-injection turbulent kinetic energy, which is not recommended due to small impact compared to noticeable manufacturing expenditures.