Effect of intake valve swirl on fuel-gas mixing and subsequent combustion in a CAI engine

A fully three-dimensional model was used to investigate the optimal value for intake valve lift in a CAI engine. Uniform mixing in the engine is a key parameter that affects the auto-ignition reliability and thermal efficiency. The method of intake of the air supply often determines the uniformity (or quality) of the fuel-air mixture. In this paper, four strategies were applied for controlling the swirl intensity of intake air. The variation of the intake valve lift induces different swirling and tumbling intensities. Both experimental data and 1D WAVE software (Ricardo, Co.) were coupled with the 3D model to provide pressure and temperature boundary conditions. The initial condition of the EGR mass fraction was also provided by the 1D model. The benchmark scenario (Case 1) was considered as a valve lift with 2 mm for all intake valves. We found that an intake valve lift of 6 mm with the other intake valve closed (i.e., Case 5) yielded the largest swirling (helical motion in the axial direction) and tumbling, which in turn rendered optimal fuel-gas mixing. We also found that fuel distribution affected the auto-ignition sites (or spot). The better the mixing, the greater the gas temperature and combustion efficiency achieved, as seen in Case 5. The NOx level, however, was increased due to the gas temperature. The optimal operating condition is selected from the viewpoints of environmental protection and combustion efficiency.     

Investigation of the shear flows over a sunroof opening based on a linear inviscid instability analysis

The large-scale shear flows over the sunroof opening of a mid-sized SUV measured using a PIV system were investigated. The shear flows were measured for five different cases of deflector protrusion (one case was the baseline test without deflector) at two different free stream flow velocities below the critical velocity where the buffeting noise level reached a maximum. The structures of the shear flows were observed to differ, apparently depending on whether the radiated buffeting noise is relatively strong or not. For strongly buffeting experimental cases, the momentum thicknesses of the shear layers were observed to grow rapidly and saturated at a station near the downstream edge of the sunroof opening, where the saturation of the transverse velocity fluctuations was also observed, and where the vortex coalescence process was presumably completed. On the other hand, no discrete large-scale vortex structures were observed for none-buffeting or weakly buffeting cases. Streamwise growth of the velocity fluctuations was found to be well predicted by a linear hydrodynamic instability analysis for the strongly buffeting cases. Numerical results obtained from a linear inviscid instability analysis using a hyperbolic tangent mean velocity profile were used to calculate the amplification factors with the initial momentum thickness and the streamwise fluctuation wavenumber. The shear flows were found to form large-scale discrete vortices when the linear inviscid amplification factors exceeded a threshold amplification factor.     

Effects of mixture stratification on HCCI combustion of DME in a rapid compression and expansion machine

Compression ignition of homogeneous charges in internal combustion (IC) engines is expected to offer high efficiency of DI diesel engines without high levels of NOx and particulate emissions. This study is intended to find ways of extending the rich limit of HCCI operation, one of the problems yet to be overcome. Exhaust emissions characteristics are also explored through analyses of the combustion products. DME fuel, either mixed with air before induction or directly injected into the combustion chamber of a rapid compression and expansion machine, is compressed to ignite under various conditions of compression ratio, equivalence ratio, and injection timing. The characteristics of the resulting combustion and exhaust emissions are discussed in terms of the rate of heat release computed from the measured pressure, and the concentrations of THC, CO, and NOx are measured by FT-IR and CLD. The experimental data to date show that operation without knock is possible with mixtures of higher equivalence ratio when DME is directly injected rather than when it is inducted in the form of a perfectly homogeneous fuel-air mixture. Although fuel injected early in the compression stroke promotes homogeneity of the DME-air mixture in the cylinder, it causes the mixture to ignite too early to secure good thermal efficiency and knock-free operation at high loads. Low temperature reactions occur at about 660K regardless of the fueling methods, fuel injection timing and equivalence ratio. The main components of hydrocarbon emissions turned out to be unburned fuel (DME), formaldehyde and methane.     

OH-radical behavior of unsteady lifted flame based on instantaneous change of the equivalence ratio

In an earlier study, the current authors showed that an unsteady-state lifted flame generated by an equivalence ratio conversion system for a given fuel, was similar to a steady-state lifted flame in terms of the change characteristics from a premixed flame to a critical flame and then to a triple flame with a diffusion flame positioned in the middle according to the concentration difference. Therefore, this study used an OH-PLIF method to investigate the characteristics of a steady-state lifted flame and an unsteady-state lifted flame created under conditions identical to the flames in the preceding study. PLIF (Planar laser induced fluorescence) is practically effective for visualizing the concentration fields within a flame. The resulting OH-radical measurements showed that an unsteady-state lifted flame created under the specific conditions used in this study showed similar tendencies in terms of OH-radical distribution, fluorescence intensity, and liftoff height, to a steady-state lifted flame, thereby confirming that the behavior of an unsteady-state lifted flame can be effectively predicted based on the behavior of a steady-state lifted flame.     

Study of RCM-based maintenance planning for complex structures using soft computing technique

To guarantee the efficiency of maintenance strategies for a complex structure, safety and cost limitations must be considered. This research introduces RCM-based (Reliability Centered Maintenance) life cycle optimization for reasonable maintenance. The design variable is the reliability of each part, which consists of a complex structure, while the objective is to minimize the total cost function in order to maintain the system within the desired system reliability. This research constructs the cost function that can reflect the current operating condition and maintenance characteristics of individual parts by generating essential cost factors. To identify the optimal reliability of each component in a system, this paper uses a Neuro-Evolutionary technique. Additionally, this research analyzes the reliability growth of a system by using the AMSAA (Army Material Systems Analysis Activity) model to estimate the failure rate of each part. The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) and the failure rate of the whole system, which is responding to the individual parts, are estimated based on the history data by using neural networks. Finally, this paper presents the optimal life cycle of a complex structure by applying the optimal reliability and the estimated MTBF to the RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) algorithm.     

A suggestion of gap flow control devices for the suppression of rudder cavitation

This paper presents the numerical analysis of rudder cavitation in propeller slipstream and the development of a new rudder system aimed for lift augmentation and cavitation suppression. The new rudder system is equipped with cam devices which effectively close the gap between the horn/pintle and movable wing parts. A computational fluid dynamics code that solves the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations is used to analyze the flow field of various rudder systems in propeller slipstream. The body force momentum source terms that mimic flow field behind a rotating propeller are added in the momentum equations to represent the influence of the propeller and its slipstream. For detailed explication of the new rudder system’s lift augmentation and cavitation suppression mechanism, three-dimensional flow analysis is carried out. Simulations clearly display the mechanism of the lift augmentation and cavitation suppression. The computational results suggest that the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes-based computational fluid dynamics reproduces the flow field around a rudder in propeller slipstream and that the present concept for a cavitation suppressing rudder system is highly feasible and warrant further study for inclusion of the interaction with hull and mechanical design for manufacturing and operations.     

Component Sizing of Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle Using Optimal Search Algorithm

In designing a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, it is essential to select the optimal capacity of power sources and the optimal gear ratio of the torque coupler. The capacity of the power sources and the gear ratio of the torque coupler should be optimized simultaneously. However, since this process is excessively time-consuming, previous studies have selected the gear ratio of the torque coupler and then selected the capacity of power source. However, this approach cannot guarantee global optimization. In this paper, a feasible region is defined to satisfy the required performance of vehicle such as maximum speed, hill-climbing. and feasible points are selected inside the feasible region. In the conventional technique, the global optimal solution is obtained by simulating all feasible points. In the optimization technique, optimal points are simulated within the feasible region using several optimal search algorithms, such as the golden section search algorithm and the hillclimbing search algorithm. And using these algorithms, the number of simulations is reduced and the capacity of the power source and the gear ratio of the torque coupler are optimized simultaneously. Finally, the validity of the component sizing results is verified by comparing the global optimal solution obtained by applying the conventional technique with the solution obtained by applying the proposed optimization technique.     

An integrated measure of accessibility and reliability of mass transit systems

The growth of a city or a metropolis requires well-functioning transit systems to accommodate the ensuing increase in travel demand. As a result, mass transit networks have to develop and expand from simple to complex topological systems over time to meet this demand. Such an evolution in the networks’ structure entails not only a change in network accessibility, but also a change in the level of network reliability on the part of stations and the entire system as well. Network accessibility and reliability are popular measures that have been widely applied to evaluate the resilience and vulnerability of a spatially networked system. However, the use of a single measure, either accessibility or reliability, provides different results, which demand an integrated measure to evaluate the network’s performance comprehensively. In this paper, we propose a set of integrated measures, named ACCREL (Integrated Accessibility and Reliability indicators) that considers both metrics in combination to evaluate a network’s performance and vulnerability. We apply the new measures for hypothetical mass transit system topologies, and a case study of the metro transit system in Seoul follows, highlighting the dynamics of network performance with four evolutionary stages. The main contribution of this study lies in the results from the experiments, which can be used to inform how transport network planning can be prepared to enhance the network functionality, thereby achieving a well-balanced, accessible, and reliable system. Insights on network vulnerability are also drawn for public transportation planners and spatial decision makers.     

Quantifying individuals’ trade-offs between privacy,liberty and security: The case of rail travel in UK

Public transport systems have been targets in several terrorist attacks, notably in recent years, resulting in tight security measures worldwide. However, individuals’ privacy and liberty often conflict with efforts towards safety and security, making it difficult to assess the implications of security measures balanced against the costs (e.g., citizens may be stopped, searched and asked to provide personal identification data to authorities without any particular reason). Henceforth, our research question asks, “to what extent would people sacrifice their right to privacy and liberty in exchange for potentially safer and more secure travel?” This paper uses a stated choice experiment to quantify individuals’ trade-offs between privacy and security within a real-life context, namely rail travel in the UK. Using a nationwide sample, the empirical analysis yields the importance of improvements in the security infrastructure and identifies areas of concern with regard to privacy and liberty controlling for travel related factors. Further, trade-offs across different security measures for rail travel are quantified in terms of individuals’ willingness-to-pay extra on top of the average ticket price.     

Developing a conceptual model for sharing container terminal resources: a case study of the Gamman container terminal

It is an important matter closely connected with saving logistics costs, as well as encouraging national competitive power, to improve the productivity of container terminals by efficient utilization of container terminal resources. In this respect, this paper tries to suggest a conceptual model for sharing container terminal resources, taking as a case study the Gamman Container Terminal (GCT) in the port of Pusan. In so doing, it identifies what kinds of resources can be systematically shared from the viewpoint of their common use and draws some problems resulting from terminal operation by four operators at GCT. The model does not imply the conception that each terminal has its own resources individually, but recommends that tentatively-called Container Terminal Resource Management Center (CTRMC) should be established and operated in order to save operation and investment costs and improve operational efficiency. In addition, the continuous acquisition and life-cycle support (CALS) concept is imbedded in the model so that it can control the supply and demand of resources efficiently by sharing the database, through which the CTRMC can automatically identify the status of the excess or deficit of a certain resource in each berth at GCT.