Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine

Charge dilution strategies, such as exhaust gas recirculation and lean-burn operation, enhance internal combustion engine (ICE) efficiency and reduce NOx emissions. However, strong charge dilution can lead to cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) and misfires. In-cylinder aerodynamics significantly influen...

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Main Authors: Linus Engelmann, Jongkwon Lee, Bok Jik Lee, Jiho Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25011074
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author Linus Engelmann
Jongkwon Lee
Bok Jik Lee
Jiho Kim
author_facet Linus Engelmann
Jongkwon Lee
Bok Jik Lee
Jiho Kim
author_sort Linus Engelmann
collection DOAJ
description Charge dilution strategies, such as exhaust gas recirculation and lean-burn operation, enhance internal combustion engine (ICE) efficiency and reduce NOx emissions. However, strong charge dilution can lead to cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) and misfires. In-cylinder aerodynamics significantly influence flow evolution and mixture formation, introducing variation in governing flow variables. This study investigates flow and mixture states during ignition and their impact on flame propagation using multi-cycle Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) of an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) engine. Special focus is given to flow phenomena near the spark plug. Flow fields and equivalence ratios are compared across fast, slow, and misfire cycles during compression to assess differences in flow evolution and mixture formation. Key characteristics, including spark gap velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and equivalence ratios, are analyzed at the spark plug during ignition. Analysis of the tumble flow evolution shows high tumble intensity in both propagating and misfire cycles; however, in fast cycles, a marked reduction is observed toward the end of compression. Mixture evolution indicates leaner conditions in misfire and slow cycles. At the spark plug location, misfire cycles exhibit the highest flow velocities but the lowest turbulent kinetic energies, whereas fast cycles show the inverse behavior.Spray influence on tumble formation is examined, revealing differences in spray cone characteristics and penetration. Misfire cycles exhibit slightly lower penetration depths than fired cycles. These findings provide insights into mitigating misfire in lean-burn DISI engines.
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spelling doaj-art-b18d01476e4f4bb3a2536b3e3b0c85992025-08-20T04:03:25ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-10-017410684710.1016/j.csite.2025.106847Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engineLinus Engelmann0Jongkwon Lee1Bok Jik Lee2Jiho Kim3Department of Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Brain Korea 21 Interdisciplinary Knowledge based Training Program for Creative and Innovative Aerospace Engineers, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Advanced Aerospace Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author at: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.Electrified Propulsion Thermo-Fluid CAE Team, Hyundai Motor Company, Gyeonggi 18280, Republic of KoreaCharge dilution strategies, such as exhaust gas recirculation and lean-burn operation, enhance internal combustion engine (ICE) efficiency and reduce NOx emissions. However, strong charge dilution can lead to cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) and misfires. In-cylinder aerodynamics significantly influence flow evolution and mixture formation, introducing variation in governing flow variables. This study investigates flow and mixture states during ignition and their impact on flame propagation using multi-cycle Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) of an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) engine. Special focus is given to flow phenomena near the spark plug. Flow fields and equivalence ratios are compared across fast, slow, and misfire cycles during compression to assess differences in flow evolution and mixture formation. Key characteristics, including spark gap velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and equivalence ratios, are analyzed at the spark plug during ignition. Analysis of the tumble flow evolution shows high tumble intensity in both propagating and misfire cycles; however, in fast cycles, a marked reduction is observed toward the end of compression. Mixture evolution indicates leaner conditions in misfire and slow cycles. At the spark plug location, misfire cycles exhibit the highest flow velocities but the lowest turbulent kinetic energies, whereas fast cycles show the inverse behavior.Spray influence on tumble formation is examined, revealing differences in spray cone characteristics and penetration. Misfire cycles exhibit slightly lower penetration depths than fired cycles. These findings provide insights into mitigating misfire in lean-burn DISI engines.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25011074Internal combustion enginesCycle-to-cycle variationsMisfiringLarge-Eddy simulation
spellingShingle Linus Engelmann
Jongkwon Lee
Bok Jik Lee
Jiho Kim
Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine
Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
Internal combustion engines
Cycle-to-cycle variations
Misfiring
Large-Eddy simulation
title Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine
title_full Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine
title_fullStr Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine
title_full_unstemmed Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine
title_short Numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean-burn direct-injection spark-ignition engine
title_sort numerical analysis of misfire in an automotive lean burn direct injection spark ignition engine
topic Internal combustion engines
Cycle-to-cycle variations
Misfiring
Large-Eddy simulation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25011074
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