Fuel and combustion laboratory
In recent years, Irankhodro Powertrain Company (IPCO), with a collaboration of different universities has defined and implemented research plans for master and Ph.D. students and trained expert people with a communication between Iranian universities and the World research centers in the field of combustion, spray and internal combustion engines.
Fuel and combustion laboratory, with advanced laser diagnostics tools can carry out extensive research tests in the field of fuel spray and combustion of common and new fuels. A constant volume combustion chamber has been developed to investigate combustion and spray phenomena which is equipped with quartz glasses stand on both side of the chamber. The pressure can be increased up to 100 bar. The system method is based on Schlieren photography which is capable to record images up to 100,000 frames per second with the high-speed camera. These facilities are used directly for quality assessment of different spark plugs and injectors.
The capabilities of this laboratory can be categorized as follows:
- Spray of different liquid and gaseous fuels and measurement of spray penetration length and cone angle of different injectors (CNG, PFI, GDI and Diesel Injectors). CNG fuel with the maximum pressure of 200 bar, GDI system with the maximum pressure of 250 bar and Diesel injection pressure can be operated up to 2500 bar.
- Measurement of static and dynamic fuel flow rate of different types of injectors.
- Investigation of laminar flame speed in a constant volume combustion chamber.
- Research on blended fuel effects on combustion.
- Spark plug energy calculation.
- Spark plug assessment & troubleshooting.
Flow-bench laboratory
Flow investigation and charge entrance quality assessment on engine intake and exhaust paths are the key steps in internal combustion engine development. IPCO’s flow-bench laboratory is able to measure all main parameters of flow such as flow coefficient, pressure drop, swirl and tumble motions. In this laboratory, the volumetric flow rate, swirl and tumble are measured using pressure differential of the test object. The measurement data of this laboratory is used directly for quality assessment of different engine parts and development of the new engine. This data can be utilized for 1D and 3D simulation validation.
The capabilities of this laboratory can be categorized as follows:
- Performing different tests including flow coefficient, swirl and tumble measurement from different gasoline and diesel engine cylinder heads.
- Measurement of flow coefficient and pressure drop from intake and exhaust manifolds, turbochargers, catalysts, intake air filters and intercoolers.
- Development of flow-boxes to produce and change intake charge patterns such as tumble and flow coefficient to utilize in the future internal combustion engine developments.
Layout of tests
Combustion chamber is in the center of layout. Two injectors, spark plug, coil, dynamic pressure sensor, heaters, and thermocouple on the body of it, have been installed. Light from the halogen lamp is emitted to the first spherical mirror in the right hand and then passes through the combustion chamber and impinges to second spherical mirror in the left hand. Reflected light of the second mirror passes through the knife edge enters to a high speed camera. The pressure sensor exists in this path, and pressure regulation has been carried out with this sensor. The laboratory control unit is capable to adjust different injection and spark duration times. The developed post-processing codes are used to measure laminar flame speed, spray penetration and spray cone angle.