Mathematical modeling of hydrocarbon emissions from oil film for different fuels

Abstract

Oil film on the inner surface of the cylinder liner is one of the major sources of the vehicle-out HC emissions as fuel vapor is absorbed by the oil film under high pressure and then released after late expansion stroke when the pressure is low. This process is extensively affected by type of the fuel and lubricating oil. In this theoretical study, the effect of different engine parameters on oil film HC emissions for various fuels, such as iso-octane, methanol, ethanol, LPG and methane, is investigated. The results show that fewer HCs are released from the oil film when using gaseous fuels, such as LPG and methane, than when using liquid fuels. The fuels can be ranked according to their effect (from greatest to least) on HC emissions as follows: iso-octane, methanol, ethanol, LPG and methane. The most important parameters affecting the HC absorption/release mechanism are found to be Henry's coefficient and the diffusion coefficient. As interaction time of oil film-fuel vapor was longer at low engine speeds, the quantities of HC absorbed/desorbed increased. The quantities of HC absorbed/desorbed increased with increasing inlet pressure and compression ratio. Crown Copyright.