Master Thesis Projects

Industry Oriented Projects

Franz X. Tanner

Phone: (906) 487 2190
E-mail: tanner@mtu.edu

Computational Investigations of Large-Bore DI Diesel Engines

Waertsilae Switzerland Ltd. designs and develops medium to slow-turning diesel engines for marine and stationary applictions with a power output of upto 66000 kW. The challenges in the further development of these engines include the arrangement of the injection configuartion such that the thermal stress of the piston, the valves and the cylinder walls are minimized, while maintaining optimal engine efficiency and minimal pollutant formation.

Project: Injection of Fuel/Water Mixtures into the Combustion Chamber

The injection of water into the combustion chamber is an efficient method to reduce the nitric oxyde formation in a diesel engine. This can be achieved through the injection of a fuel/water emulsion or of alternating fuel/water packages through the existing fuel injection nozzles, or alternatively, through the injection of water by means of separate water injection nozzles. The objective is the distribution of the water in such a way, that an efficient cooling of the hottest heat pockets in the combustion chamber are achieved, which results in the reduction of the thermal nitrix oxyde formation.

Project: Investigation of the Injection Nozzle Configuration

Number, location and direction of the nozzle orifices belong to the important parameters which optimize the operating conditions of an engine. In the past, these parameters have been determined by means of extensive experimental test series. Computational tools are a promising way to avoid such lengthy and expensive eperimental procedures. The objective of this project is the evaluation of the presently available simulation tools for the design process of injection systems. In addition, the computational investigations are expected to help in the interpretation and explanation of experimentally observed trends, and will serve as an important basis to derive optimal injection configurations.

Project: Performance of a Common-Rail Injection System

The common-rail injection system for heavy oil, developed recently by Waertsilae NSD, offers enormous possibilities for the optimization of the the inner-cylinder processes. The computational investigations performed in the framework of this project serve the interpretation of experimentally observed behavior and appropriate parameter variations are expected to lead to further optimization of the combustion process.

Industry Contact:
German Weisser, Waertsilae NSD Switzerland, CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
german.weisser@wartsila-nsd.com, Tel: +41 (0)52 262 443


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Last modified: Nov 19, 1999