A "spray combustion chamber" facility for investigations in relation to large 2-stroke marine diesel engine combustion system optimization

Abstract

A unique experimental facility enables the investigation of injection and combustion processes in relation to 2-stroke marine diesel engines at relevant physical dimensions (bore) and operational parameters (pressure, temperature), including flow characteristics (swirl) and low fuel qualities (HFO) involved. The core element is a disk-shaped optical accessible constant volume spray combustion chamber of diameter 500 mm with peripheral injection into a swirl flow. Conditions at start of injection similar to those in real engines (up to 13 MPa, 930 K) are achieved by feeding the chamber via inclined intake channels with pressurized and heated process gas provided by a pressure vessel/heat regenerating system. The application of non-intrusive optical measurement techniques (e.g. shadow-imaging) contributes to a better understanding of the underlying in cylinder phenomena in general and facilitates reference data acquisition for the validation of simulation models. Furthermore, component tests (e.g. lubrication system) and fuel investigations at relevant conditions are feasible.