Analysis, modeling and control of standard and alternative combustion strategies in a diesel engine

Research on compression ignited engines from combustion control point of view assumes an important role since this technology is being demonstrated lacks in the accomplishment of the evolving emissions standards to more stringent targets. The nature of combustion, in particular, seems not to be able to overcome some crucial trade-offs in emission and efficiency management. This work is aimed at investigating some key points on the way a diesel engine is conventionally run, such as noise control, nitrogen oxides modeling and closed loop methodologies to handle combustion. At the same time a great effort is spent in understanding the most important aspects of reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion, which in the scenario of low temperature combustions is the one, theoretically speaking, to provide the most extended applicability throughout the engine operating field. Investigation on RCCI combustion has the main objective to offer a work-around to the previously cited trade-offs. Since literature provides several examples of how this kind of injection strategy is advantageous to the predetermined goals, this work tries to focus on how it can be controlled, because combustion stability remains the most critical issue.