Large-eddy simulation of air entrainment during diesel spray combustion with multi-dimensional CFD

Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) was used to perform computations of air entrainment and mixing during diesel spray combustion. The results of this simulation were compared with those of Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations and an experiment. The effect of LES on non-vaporizing and vaporizing sprays was evaluated. The validity of the grid size used for the LES analysis was confirmed by determining the subgrid-scale (SGS) filter threshold on the turbulent energy spectrum plot, which separates a resolved range from a modeled one. The results showed that more air was entrained into the jet with decreasing ambient gas temperatures. The mass of the evaporated fuel increased with increasing ambient gas temperatures, as did the mixture fraction variance, showing a greater spread in the profile at an ambient gas temperature of 920 K than at 820 K. Flame lift-off length sensitivity was analyzed based on the location of the flame temperature iso-line. The results showed that for the flame temperature iso-line of 2000oC, the computed lift-off length values in RANS matched the experimental values well, whereas in LES, the computed lift-off length was slightly underpredicted. The apparent heat release rate (AHRR) computed by the LES approach showed good agreement with the experiment, and it provided an accurate prediction of the ignition delay; however, the ignition delay computed by the RANS was underpredicted. Finally, the relationships between the entrained air quantity and mixture fraction distribution as well as soot formation in the jet were observed. As more air was entrained into the jet, the amount of air-fuel premixing that occurred prior to the initial combustion zone increased, upstream of the lift-off length, and therefore, the soot formation downstream of the flame decreased.     

Reliability-based topology optimization based on bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization using multi-objective sensitivity numbers

Reliability-based topology optimization (RBTO) is used to obtain an optimal topology satisfying given constraints, as well as to consider uncertainties in design variables. In this study, RBTO was applied to obtain an optimal topology for the inner reinforcement of a vehicle’s hood based on bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO). A multi-objective topology optimization technique was implemented to obtain the optimal topology for two models with different curvatures while simultaneously considering the static stiffness of bending, torsion, and natural frequency. A performance measure approach (PMA) with probabilistic constraints formulated in terms of the reliability index was employed to evaluate the probabilistic constraints. The optimal topology obtained by RBTO was evaluated and compared to that obtained by deterministic topology optimization (DTO). A more suitable topology was obtained through RBTO than DTO even though the final volume obtained by RBTO was generally slightly greater than that obtained by DTO. The multiobjective optimization technique based on BESO can be applied very effectively with topology optimization for a vehicle’s hood reinforcement.     

Design and use of an eddy current retarder in an automobile

In this study, the structure and working principles of an eddy current retarder acting as an auxiliary brake set is introduced in detail. Based on the principle of energy conservation, a mathematical model was developed to design a retarder whose nominal brake torque is 1, 900 N·m. According to the characteristics of the eddy current retarder, an exclusive test bed was developed and used for brake performance measurements. The main technical parameters, such as the brake characteristics, temperature characteristics and power consumption, were measured with the test bed. The test data show that the brake torque of the eddy current retarder obviously decreased in the continuous braking stage and that there is a certain amount of brake torque in the normal driving state because of the remnant magnetism of the rotor plate. The mathematical model could be used to design an eddy current retarder. The exclusive test bed could be used for optimization of an eddy current retarder as well as for R&D of a series of products.     

Nano-particle emission characteristics of European and Worldwide Harmonized test cycles for heavy-duty diesel engines

This study was conducted for the experimental comparison of particulate emission characteristics between the European and World-Harmonized test cycles for a heavy-duty diesel engine as part of the UN/ECE PMP ILCE of the Korea Particulate Measurement Program. To verify the particulate mass and particle number concentrations from various operating modes, ETC/ESC and WHTC/WHSC, were evaluated. Both will be enacted in Euro VI emission legislation. The real-time particle emissions from a Mercedes OM501 heavy-duty golden engine with a catalyst based uncoated golden DPF were measured with CPC and DMS during daily test protocol. Real-time particle formation of the transient cycles ETC and WHTC were strongly correlated with engine operating conditions and after-treatment device temperature. The higher particle number concentration during the ESC #7 to #10 mode was ascribed to passive DPF regeneration and the thermal release of low volatile particles at high exhaust temperature conditions. The detailed average particle number concentration equipped for golden DPF reached approximately 4.783E+11 #/kWh (weighted WHTC), 6.087E+10 #/kWh (WHSC), 4.596E+10 #/kWh (ETC), and 3.389E+12 #/kWh (ESC). Particle masses ranged from 0.0011 g/kWh (WHSC) to 0.0031 g/kWh (ESC). The particle number concentration and mass reduction of DPF reached about 99%, except for an ESC with a reduction of 95%.     

Optimization of drying performance considering driving conditions

Compressed air can be used as an energy source for brake systems in medium-heavy and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The moisture in compressed air, which is due to high temperature and humidity, can be eliminated by using an air dryer. In this paper, drying performance data for a cartridge were obtained and used to develop a drying performance program, to predict the moisture and relative humidity in the air tanks of vehicles. The on-load time, off-load time, air flow, duty cycle, humidity and dew point temperature were calculated according to air consumption. The validity of the program was verified, and it was shown to be able to predict humidity changes in the air tank. The air tank capacity was increased from 100 to 130 to reduce the duty cycle. Therefore, the regeneration rate decreased from 18% to 15%, but the dew point depression temperature (ΔT) remained above 30°C. The duty cycle decreased from 50% to 43%, and the total operation time and power consumption of the air compressor were reduced. In conclusion, fuel savings were obtained by changing the parameters to optimize the system.     

Changes in Swiss accessibility since 1850

This paper discusses the changes in Swiss accessibility since 1850 after arguing that such spatially detailed measures are needed, if one wants to understand the impact of transport investment on the economy and land use patterns.The road-based accessibility overtook that offered by the railways around 1930 and has kept a steady relative lead since then. The relative advantage of the large cities has been eroded since 1950 through their population loss and the massive population gain of the metropolitan fringe. In absolute terms, though, they are still locations with the highest accessibilities.     

Mathematical modelling of response amplitude operator for roll motion of a floating body: Analysis in frequency domain with numerical validation

This paper investigates mathematical modelling of response amplitude operator （RAO） or transfer function using the frequency-based analysis for uncoupled roll motion of a floating body under the influence of small amplitude regular waves. The hydrodynamic coefficients are computed using strip theory formulation by integrating over the length of the floating body. Considering sinusoidal wave with frequency （ω ） varying between 0.3 rad/s and 1.2 rad/s acts on beam to the floating body for zero forward speed, analytical expressions of RAO in frequency domain is obtained. Using the normalization procedure and frequency based analysis, group based classifications are obtained and accordingly governing equations are formulated for each case. After applying the fourth order Runge-Kutta method numerical solutions are obtained and relative importance of the hydrodynamic coefficients is analyzed. To illustrate the roll amplitude effects numerical experiments have been carried out for a Panamax container ship under the action of sinusoidal wave with a fixed wave height. The effect of viscous damping on RAO is evaluated and the model is validated using convergence, consistency and stability analysis. This modelling approach could be useful to model floating body dynamics for higher degrees of freedom and to validate the result.     

Computational and experimental study on local ship loads in short and steep waves

Currently, little information exists on the validity of interface-capturing methods in predicting local ship wave loads in short and steep waves. This study compares computational and experimental results in such a case (kA = 0.24, L _wave /L _ship = 0.16). The results allow the variation of wave loading between ten locations in the bow area of the ship to be observed. The computations were performed with an unstructured RANS solver that models free-surface flows with a volume-of-fluid method. In the model tests, the wave loads were measured with pressure sensors. The analysis of the results focuses on the wave conditions and on the pressure histories of the local wave loads. The computational and experimental results are in good qualitative agreement and encourage the further use of the computational results.     

A reliability‐based traffic assignment model for multi‐modal transport network under demand uncertainty

In densely populated and congested urban areas, the travel times in congested multi‐modal transport networks are generally varied and stochastic in practice. These stochastic travel times may be raised from day‐to‐day demand fluctuations and would affect travelers' route and mode choice behaviors according to their different expectations of on‐time arrival. In view of these, this paper presents a reliability‐based user equilibrium traffic assignment model for congested multi‐modal transport networks under demand uncertainty. The stochastic bus frequency due to the unstable travel time of bus route is explicitly considered. By the proposed model, travelers' route and mode choice behaviors are intensively explored. In addition, a stochastic state‐augmented multi‐modal transport network is adopted in this paper to effectively model probable transfers and non‐linear fare structures. A numerical example is given to illustrate the merits of the proposed model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CV-joint remanufacturing parameter optimization

Quality assessment process is based on a standard procedure. These standards are developed as a combined effort. It requires deep knowledge about structural material in addition to component`s behavior under external loads. Remanufactured components pose another difficulty to assess their quality in the form of unknown usage rate. This paper represents optimization of quality assessment criteria for remanufactured CV-joints. Working surface hardness of the CV-joint elements is measured at certain depth interval. A minimum acceptable surface hardness value for the BJ-outer joint elements is suggested based on existing research. Remanufactured CV-joint Housing, Inner race and Cage surface machining steps are studied and machining parameter optimization is performed through laboratory based durability test results. The test results of optimized machining parameters are compared with the test results of unmachined test samples. Mean-time-to-failure is calculated along with Weibull distribution parameters. Also, Birfield joint inner race bending and rotating torque are measured and standard parameters for remanufactured CV-joint are determined. Those quality assessment criteria for remanufactured CV-joints are developed.