Research Projects
Chris Rutland
(please note that this page is constantly under development)

 

	LES Model Development Dynamic Structure LES Turbulence Modeling Combustion Modeling Scalar Transport Modeling LES Spray Modeling Engine Simulations NOx Formation in Diesel Engines Fuel Film Formation in IC Engines Effects of Intake Flows on Combustion and Emissions Effects of Engine Speed and Fuel Injection Strategies on Power Density and Emission Levels Engine System Simulations Merging CFD and System Simulations Advanced Numerical Techniques for Combustion Simulations An Algorithmic and Software Framework for Applied Partial Differential Equations: Combustion Applications Spray Modeling in AMR Codes Direct Numerical Simulations Terascale High-Fidelity Simulations of Turbulent Combustion with Detailed Chemistry: Spray Simulations Heat Release Effects in Turbulent Reacting Shear Layers Turbulent Transport Mechanisms of Heat Transfer in Channel and Couette Flows Turbulent Premixed Flame-Wall Interaction Turbulent Flame Propagation RANS Modeling for Engine Simulation Flash Evaporation Modeling for GDI Fuel Injection  GDI Mixture Preparation Cavitation Modeling in High Pressure Diesel Injectors Coherent Flamelet Combustion Model Development for Engine Simulations

LES Model Development
	Dynamic Structure LES Turbulence Modeling
	Sponsor: ARO Eric Pomraning	A new approach for non-viscosity LES turbulence modeling has been developed. The approach uses a tensor coefficient that is obtained from the dynamic modeling approach. Scaling is provided by the sub-grid kinetic energy that is obtained from a transport equation. This approach has better mathematical foundations than dynamic Smagorinsky approaches and provides a superior representation of the sub-grid stresses. The dynamic structure approach does not use a turbulent viscosity, instead keeping an energy budget between the resolved and sub-grid scales. The approach works well in both high accuracy LES research codes and engineering level codes.
		A Dynamic One-Equation Non-Viscosity LES Model AIAA Journal, Vol. 40, No. 4, pg. 689-701 (2002) LES Modeling of Diesel Engines SAE Paper 2002-01-2779
	Combustion Modeling
	Sponsor: ARO, DOE Shrikanth Rao Dan Lee	A PDF time-scale combustion model has been developed for simulating diesel combustion.  Chemical reactions are modeled using a conserved scalar approach for infinitely fast chemistry with a time-scale approach to account for moderately fast chemistry.  The model was validated by comparing the simulation with experimental data for a Caterpillar 3400 Engine and a Sandia optical access engine.
		A Flamelet Time Scale Model for Non-Premixed Combustion Including Chemical Kinetic Effects Comb. and Flame, Brief Communication, accepted, to appear 2003 Probability Density Function Combustion Modeling of Diesel Engines Comb. Sci. Tech.  Vol. 174(10), pp. 19-54, 2002 Development of Advanced Combustion Models for Diesel Engines using Large Eddy Simulation Presented at the 2nd Joint Meeting of the US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Oakland, CA, March 2001 (pdf) Multidimensional Modeling of a Six-Mode Diesel Test Cycle using a PDF Combustion Model SAE Paper Number 2000-01-0585
	Scalar Transport Modeling
	Sponsor: ARO Sergei Chumakov	The dynamic structure LES approach developed here at the ERC (see above) is being extended to modeling scalars. This is part of an overall effort to develop LES for combustion and IC engine simulations. LES models for both scalar flux and scalar dissipation are being developed. Several sub-grid scalar flux models are being tested, including one that uses an additional transport equation for sub-grid fluctuations. There are also several scalar dissipation models being developed, most make use of test filtering and the series representation of LES filtered quadratic terms.
		Large Eddy Simulation Models for Subgrid Scalar Transport MS Thesis (pdf)
	LES Spray Modeling
	Sponsor: ARO Amol Kulkarni	As part of an overall program to develop LES models for IC engine combustion simulation, work has recently begun on modeling sprays. The Lagrangian particle/parcel approach is being used because of its success in RANS approaches. Initial efforts are focused on momentum and kinetic energy coupling to the gas phase equations.
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Engine Simulations
	NOx Formation in Diesel Engines
	Sponsor: DaimlerChrysler Fritz Bedford	The objective of this project is to use CFD to study basic NOx production mechanisms in diesel engines and to explore novel methods for reducing emissions. Additional models for Nitrogen-Oxygen kinetic mechanisms are being added using lower dimensional manifold methods. Water injection and inert gas addition are being studied.
		Effects of Direct Water Injection on DI Diesel Engine Combustion SAE Paper 2000-01-2938 (pdf)
	Fuel Film Formation in IC Engines
	Sponsors: ARO, DaimlerChrysler Don Stanton	A fuel film model has been formulated and implemented into the ERC KIVA codes to help account for the fuel distribution during combustion in DI diesel engines. Spray-wall interaction, spray-film interaction, heat and mass transfer effects, as wall as droplet entrainment due to flow separation and stripping from the fuel-film interface are included.
		Modeling Fuel Film Formation and Wall Interaction in Diesel Engines SAE Paper 960628 Multi-dimensional Modeling of Fuel Films in Direct Injection Diesel Engines ASME IC Engines Fall Technical Conference Multi-dimensional Modeling of Heat and Mass Transfer of Fuel Films Resulting From Impinging Sprays SAE Paper 980132 (pdf) Influence of Spray-Wall Interaction and Fuel Films on Cold Starting in Direct Injection Diesel Engines SAE Paper 982584 (pdf)
	Effects of Intake Flows on Combustion and Emissions
	Sponsors: DOE, Caterpillar, ARO Tina Fuchs	The purpose of this work is to gain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms through which intake properties can influence diesel combustion and emissions. Towards this end, three valve lift profiles, three shroud configurations, and two engine speeds for the Caterpillar 3406 diesel engine were modeled using the ERC KIVA codes. The influence of intake on global and local turbulence, temperatures, flow structures, and fuel/air mixing is investigated through the use of mass weighted averages, statistical analysis, and visualization tools.
		Intake and In-Cylinder Flow Modeling Characterization of Mixing and Comparison with Flow Bench Results SAE Paper 960635 (pdf) Intake Flow Effects on Combustion and Emissions in a Diesel Engine SAE Paper 980508 (pdf)
	Effects of Engine Speed and Fuel Injection Strategies on Power Density and Emission Levels
	Sponsor: ARO Mike Stoia	This work is targeted at determining the feasibility of increasing the power density of small bore high-speed diesel engines. Focus is placed on the effects that engine speed, fuel injection timing and duration, and equivalence ratio have on power density and emission levels. The underlying physical processes, including turbulence, mixing, combustion, and chemical kinetics, are examined to gain an understanding of the potential that small bore high-speed diesel engines have to offer. A Lombardini 6LD-435 direct injection diesel engine is modeled using the KIVA-II and KIVA-3 CFD codes at speeds of 2000 and 6000 rpm, and equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 0.7. Simulations at 2000 rpm will be verified with experiments being conducted at the ERC.
		(****  MS Thesis ****)
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Engine System Simulations
	Merging CFD and System Simulations
	Sponsor: TACOM Yongsheng He	The long term goal of this work is to merge CFD simulations into system simulations. This project is initiating this work by replacing the combustion model in a system simulation with results from the KIVA-ERC engine CFD code. This is being done with artificial nerual networks that are trained and tested with results from KIVA-ERC. The neural net models are currently being implemented in Matlab/Simuling, and will eventually be used in GT Power.
		Application of Artificial Neural Network for Integration of Advanced Engine Simulation Methods Presented at the ASME ICE Division Fall 2000 Technical Meeting, Sept. 2000, Peoria, IL (pdf)
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Advanced Numerical Techniques for Combustion Simulations
	An Algorithmic and Software Framework for Applied Partial Differential Equations: Combustion Applications
	Sponsor: DOE SciDAC	This is a new project headed by Dr. Phil Colella at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The goal of the project is to develop a high-performance algorithmic and software framework for solving partial differential equations arising from three important mission areas in the DOE Office of Science: magnetic fusion, accelerator design, and combustion. The University of Wisconsin - Madison component is to study spray-turbulence interactions for mixture preparation in combustion systems.
	Spray Modeling in AMR Codes
	Sponsor: Caterpillar, DOE Sara Bauman	Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) has proven to be a powerful and effective numerical technique for resolving very small scales within a large multi-dimensional simulation. Under this project, the ERC spray models are being implemented and tested in an existing AMR code from Lawrence Berkeley National Labs.
		Spray Modeling with Adaptive Mesh Refinement Presentation made at the SIAM Conference on Numerical Combustion, March, 2000 (pdf)
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Direct Numerical Simulations
	Terascale High-Fidelity Simulations of Turbulent Combustion with Detailed Chemistry: Spray Simulations
	Sponsor: DOE SciDAC Dr. Yunliang Wang	This is a new project in collaboration with  Arnuad Trouve (Univ. of Maryland), Hong Im (Univ. of Michigan), Jackie Chen (DOE Combustion Research Facility, Sandia Livermore), and Raghurama Reddy (Carnegie Mellon University). The University of Wisconsin component of the project is to add spray modeling a very high fidelity turbulent reacting flow code. Basic aspects of ignition and initial combustion progress under HCCI conditions will be studied.
	Heat Release Effects in Turbulent Reacting Shear Layers
	Sponsor: NSF Scott Mason	This project uses direct numerical simulations (DNS) to study turbulent, reacting mixing-layers. Emphasis will be placed on investigating the production, transport, and dissipation of turbulent stresses and kinetic energy and results will be compared with standard turbulence models. Information from this project could be used to improve turbulence combustion models used in engine applications.
		Turbulence Transport in Spatially-Developing Reacting Shear Layers Proc. Combustion Inst. 28th International Symposium on Combustion (pdf)
	Turbulent Transport Mechanisms of Heat Transfer in Channel and Couette Flows
	Sponsor: NSF Bert Debusschere	DNS is used to study turbulent heat transfer for plane channel flow (two stationary walls) and Couette channel flow (upper wall moving and lower wall stationary). Heat transfer is across the channel from a hot upper wall to a cold lower wall. Turbulent scalar transport mechanisms are examined using flow visualization and statistical analysis. The two different flow configurations have different velocity boundary conditions that result in significant differences in turbulent production and transport in the center of the channel
		Turbulent Scalar Transport Mechanisms in Plane Channel and Couette Flows Paper to be submitted (pdf)
	Turbulent Premixed Flame-Wall Interaction
	Sponsor: NSF Tareg Alshaalan	In this project Direct Numerical Simulations are used to study turbulent premixed flames in channel couette flow. The objectives are to study wall heat transfer and changes in the turbulent boundary layer. Flow visualization and analysis of turbulent transport equations are used to explore basic processes and to obtain correlations that are useful for engineering modeling.
		Wall Heat Flux in Turbulent Premixed Reacting Flow Paper Submitted to Combustion Science and Technology (pdf) Turbulence, Scalar Transport, and Reaction Rates in Flame - Wall Interaction Combustion Symposium 1998 Paper (accepted) (pdf) Turbulent Flame - Wall Interactions SIAM 1998 International Conference on Numerical Combustion Abstract (pdf) Presentation
	Turbulent Flame Propagation
	Sponsor: NSF Songwei Zhang	Direct Numerical Simulations have been used to study turbulent premixed flame propagation. A planar flame propagating into an isotropic turbulent field was simulated. Turbulent kinetic energy budgets were examined with the pressure-dilatation term being studied in detail. Scalar transport and flame topology were also studied.
		Premixed Flame Effects on Turbulence and Pressure Related Terms Combustion and Flame, Vol 102, pp. 447-461 (1995) (pdf) Flame Surface Characteristics and Scalar Transport Presented at the Joint Central/Western States Combustion Institute Meeting, San Antonio, TX April 1995 (pdf)
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RANS Modeling
	Flash Evaporation Modeling for GDI Fuel Injection
	Sponsor: Renault Baifang Zuo Andre Gomes	A flash evaporation (boiling) model has been developed and incorporated into the GDI spray models. This accounts for situations in which gasoline is injected under superheat conditions (e.g. ambient pressure and high temperature fuel).
		Modeling Superheated Fuel Sprays and Vaporization Journal of Engine Research, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 321-336, 2000 (pdf)
	GDI Mixture Preparation
	Sponsor: GM, ARO Ed Suh	Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the fuel/air mixing preparation in a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine. A two-valve OHV engine with wedge combustion chamber is investigated since automobiles equipped with this type of engine are readily available in the U.S. market. Modifying and retrofitting these engines for GDI operation could become a viable scenario for some engine manufactures. A pressure-swirl injector and wide spacing injection layout are adapted to enhance mixture preparation. The primary interest is on preparing the mixture with adequate equivalence ratio at the spark plug under a wide range of engine operating conditions.
		Numerical Study of Fuel/Air Mixture Preparation in a GDI Engine SAE Paper 1999-01-3657 (pdf)
	Cavitation Modeling in High Pressure Diesel Injectors
	Sponsor: ARO PI: Prof. Michael Corradini David Schmidt	Fuel injection is a dominant process in diesel engine combustion. This work is focused on understanding the internal flow through high pressure fuel injector nozzles and how this creates the spray. Detailed CFD modeling is being used to simulate major features of the flow. A key aspect of this modeling is the development of methods to simulate cavitation. Future work on this project will tie the internal nozzle simulation to the early development of the spray. This will help development of better spray models for in-cylinder simulations.
		A Numerical Study of Cavitating Flow Through Various Nozzle Shapes SAE Paper 971597 (pdf) A Fully Compressible Model of Small, High Speed, Cavitating Nozzle Flows Atomization and Sprays, Vol. 9, pp. 255-276, 1999 (pdf) Cavitation in Two-Dimensional Asymmetric Nozzles SAE Paper 1999-01-0518 (pdf)
	Coherent Flamelet Combustion Model Development for Engine Simulations
	Sponsor: ARO Roy Emerson	Combustion models for diesel simulation are being implemented and tested in the ERC KIVA code. The modeling approach is based on the coherent flamelet models. This is combined with the characteristic time scale model to account for premixed combustion.
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