CFD analysis of the strategies aimed to modernize an industrial diesel engine

Diesel engines occupy an important share of the commercial sector. Despite environmental trends, the transition to new powertrains will be gradual. Therefore, it is rational to make existing engines as powerful, efficient, and clean as possible. In the main part of the paper, a series of diesel engine simulations were performed in which an increase in boost pressure and combustion air cooling were assumed. Further, the application of exhaust gas recirculation and a modification in the piston crown profile was simulated. It was analyzed how the aforementioned changes are reflected in the emissions of harmful gases. Cylinder pressure rise was obtained. Nitrogen oxide emissions were significantly reduced by exhaust gas recirculation, although this strategy negatively influenced soot and hydrocarbon emissions. Finally, it was confirmed that the geometry of the piston crown can have a beneficial effect in reducing harmful gas emissions. The analysis shows that existing engines can be improved with relatively limited interventions.