2. Modern Diesel Combustion

The chapter begins with the historical development of diesel combustion and explains engine Combustion Mechanisms followed by Fuel Injection and Supercharging. It explains the important step in the evolution of engine design to reduce NOx by Exhaust Gas Recirculation. Apart from the popular systems there are also Alternative Diesel Combustion Systems to remember. The evolution of the diesel engine is undoubtedly driven by the legislative standards for the Emissions of Internal Combustion Engines. The real concern regarding Global Climate Change imposes the limit to carbon dioxide and hence indirectly the fuel consumption. The particulate affective animal breathing systems as well as global warming is controlled tightly. This calls for accurate measurement of Particle Number. Apart from gaseous emissions, there is also a cap on the noise emissions. Al these requirements are satisfied to a large extent by the use of sophisticated air flow and fuel injection inside the engine. However, the advanced emission norms are satisfied only if there is Exhaust Aftertreatment to abate Nitric oxides and particulates. Hard working large engines have heat recuperation systems to consume the exhaust and coolant heat usefully. For carrying out this work, the losses have to be estimated correctly. To save cost and noise, many times the diesel engines are converted to operation on neat gas. For development of a country’s infrastructure the diesel engine is being further developed to compete with other power sources as the engine is advantageous regarding logistics, storage, efficiency and compactness.