Dynamic Modeling of Residual-Affected Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Engines with Variable Valve Actuation

One practical method for achieving homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) in internal combustion engines is to modulate the valves to trap or reinduct exhaust gases, increasing the energy of the charge, and enabling autoignition. Controlling combustion phasing with valve modulation can be challenging, however, since any controller must operate through the chemical kinetics of HCCI and account for the cycle-to-cycle dynamics arising from the retained exhaust gas. This paper presents a simple model of the overall HCCI process that captures these fundamental aspects. The model uses an integrated Arrhenius rate expression to capture the importance of species concentrations and temperature on the ignition process and predict the start of combustion. The cycle-to-cycle dynamics, in turn, develop through mass exchange between a control volume representing the cylinder and a control mass modeling the exhaust manifold. Despite its simplicity, the model predicts combustion phasing, pressure evolution and work output for propane combustion experiments at levels of fidelity comparable to more complex representations. Transient responses to valve timing changes are also captured and, with minor modification, the model can, in principle, be extended to handle a variety of fuels.