Engine flow field measurements
Initial flame kernel development, combustion efficiency and emissions of a gasoline direct injection engine are strongly related with mixture preparation. Consequently, it is important to investigate the flow field and turbulence quantities at the parts of the thermodynamic cycle in which the above process occurs (intake and compression stroke). Additionally, flow field measurements can give information on the cycle by cycle variability in the combustion inside ICEs and when these measurements are conducted during combustion, they can give information about instabilities, especially when lean mixture is utilized.
Our equipment allows us to acquire flow field measurements at very high resolution with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique (time-resolved, and phase averaged), by modifying engine operational parameters and geometry, when it is possible.