Optical diagnostics of the cyclic variation in the kernel development and abnormal combustion: SI boosted engine

The combustion stability of a spark ignition engine significantly influences its performances. The cyclic variation is generally evaluated by the fluctuation of in-cylinder peak pressure which changes in both magnitude and position measured from TDC. In this work the cyclic variation of combustion process were analysed as function of crank angles. The different SI engine process phases were investigated. The pressure related data were correlated with cycle resolved visualization measurements. The cycle resolved digital imaging was applied to follow the kernel inception and growth and to study the flame front propagation until the exhaust phase. A custom numerical post-detection procedure was applied to correlate the optical data from the integral luminous signal measured in the combustion chamber with the pressure related parameters .The flame kernel and the abnormal combustion due to the fuel deposits burning resulted particular relevant for the cycle-to-cycle variations. Optical measurements outlined better than pressure related analysis the role of the early andfinal stages of the combustion process. The experiments were performed in a 400 cm3 single cylinder, port fuel injection, four-stroke spark ignition engine. The engine was optical accessible with the same geometrical parameters as a 1600 cm3 passenger car engine. The head and the injection system of a commercial engine mounted on a passenger car were used. Standard EURO IV gasoline was use