Thermodynamic and numerical analysis of intake air humidification of a turbocharged GDI engine

摘要

Reducing the temperature and increasing the specific heat capacity of working medium of gasoline engines are the most efficient methods of mitigating knock tendency. The charge cooling effect of intake air humidification is helpful for decreasing the initial temperature of intake air, and the increase of the specific heat capacity of working medium can reduce the temperature rise in the in-cylinder process. This study established a mathematical model of intake air humidification of gasoline engines, and analyzed the effects of the technique on the thermodynamic process of a turbocharged gasoline engine with Ricardo WAVE Code. The results indicated that the intake air humidification is an isenthalpic process; the vapor influences the working process of the engine by altering the thermodynamic parameters of the working medium. A decrease in the initial temperature and adiabatic index and an increase in the specific heat capacity of working medium lowered the in-cylinder temperature and pressure, hence suppressing the knock occurrence. After the humidification of intake air, the engine performance slightly increased, and the thermal efficiency showed different levels of improvements at all the working conditions.