Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. This project aims to quantify and understand how future, advanced passenger vehicles might perform when optimised for the direct injection (DI) of natural gas. Such production vehicles do not exist, largely because production DI systems for natural gas, spark ignition engines are not yet available. This project will examine both advanced conventional and hybrid vehi ....Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. This project aims to quantify and understand how future, advanced passenger vehicles might perform when optimised for the direct injection (DI) of natural gas. Such production vehicles do not exist, largely because production DI systems for natural gas, spark ignition engines are not yet available. This project will examine both advanced conventional and hybrid vehicles using a suite of state-of-the-art experimental and numerical techniques. This project will quantify these vehicles’ environmental, technical and economic performance to determine whether DI natural gas, conventional and hybrid vehicles might reduce substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions whilst avoiding any consumer penalty. This research could contribute to global GHG abatement.Read moreRead less
Development of low emissions compression-ignition engines via ethanol port-injection dual-fuelling. The project aims to develop a more efficient and more cost-effective way of utilising clean-burning ethanol fuel. Port-injection fuelling of ethanol as a separate fuel stream in compression-ignition engines will be studied fundamentally and combined with novel combustion strategies to overcome problems that occur at high ethanol substitution.
Flame-wall interactions in diesel engine environments. This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of flame-wall interactions in diesel engines, which is currently very limited despite the wall's significant impact on combustion and pollutants. The aim is to perform the most comprehensive set of measurements to date in a high-pressure chamber and optically accessible engine, including planar imaging of key species and soot, and space-/time-resolved measurements of wall temperature ....Flame-wall interactions in diesel engine environments. This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of flame-wall interactions in diesel engines, which is currently very limited despite the wall's significant impact on combustion and pollutants. The aim is to perform the most comprehensive set of measurements to date in a high-pressure chamber and optically accessible engine, including planar imaging of key species and soot, and space-/time-resolved measurements of wall temperature. These are intended to be complemented by the first transported probability density function modelling of a diesel spray flame that includes soot, radiation and wall heat transfer. The expected outcomes will greatly advance understanding of flame-wall interactions, thus contributing to the development of cleaner and more efficient engines.Read moreRead less
Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements ....Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements in a high-pressure combustion chamber. GCI engines have significant potential to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions harmful to health and the environment. The outcomes from this project will lead to accelerated development of the GCI engine, and more optimal GCI solutions to be found.Read moreRead less
A novel surface preparation for manipulation of turbulent boundary layers. Australia's geographic isolation means that we are unusually dependent on long-haul transportation systems for sustaining our economy. This project seeks to examine novel surface coatings to reduce the drag of large transport systems. A successful outcome would ultimately reduce Australia's fuel costs and environmental footprint.