The talks are on:
Fahad Almatrafi
Ph.D. Student, supervised by Prof. James Turner
Abstract: Future engine concepts like ultra-lean and ammonia combustion require a lot of ignition energy. However, the conventional spark plug cannot ignite the air-fuel mixtures as it cannot supply this energy. Nonetheless, pre-chambers can provide a solution. The combustion chamber can be divided into two distinct regions; the main chamber, which constitutes the bulk of the volume, and a small one that houses the ignition source, the pre-chamber. One or more holes connect these two volumes. If the pre-chamber has a dedicated fueling system, it is called "Active." In contrast, a pre-chamber without a fueling system is known as "Passive," and it is more straightforward to implement in almost every SI engine. In this presentation, the use of passive pre-chambers will be explored to ignite ammonia and gasoline, and an injection strategy will be attempted to enhance the operation of passive pre-chambers and extend their lean limit.
Bio: Fahad Almatrafi is a Ph.D. student under the supervision of Prof. James Turner. He worked as a mechanical engineer in an industrial process plant for two years before joining KAUST as a master's student in 2018. In 2020 he started his Ph.D. journey, continuing his work on pre-chamber combustion in light-duty engines.
Niraj Panthi
Ph.D. Candidate, supervised by Prof. Gaetano Magnotti
Abstract: The global need for de-carbonization and stringent emission regulations are pushing the current engine research toward alternative fuels. In the present study, experimental investigations of different methane-hydrogen blends between 0 and 100% hydrogen concentration by volume for the air-excess ratio of 1, 1.4, 1.8, and 2.2 were conducted in a heavy-duty optical diesel engine converted to spark-ignition operation. The engine was equipped with a flat-shaped optical piston to allow bottom-view imaging of the combustion chamber. High-speed natural combustion luminosity images were recorded for all cases, together with in-cylinder pressure measurements. Results showed that the increase in hydrogen concentration has shifted the CA50 towards TDC thus increasing the peak combustion pressure. Methane combustion shows the lean limit at lambda 1.4 and extension of the lean limit requires at least 20% of hydrogen addition while maintaining the COV of IMEP below 5%. Overall, with higher hydrogen concentration, there is an improvement in the combustion stability. Further, Image analysis was performed on the high-speed natural combustion luminosity images to obtain information on the flame front propagation speed.
Bio: Niraj received his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India in 2019. He then joined King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia in November, 2019. He is currently a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering program working under the supervison of Prof. Gaetano Magnotti focusing on hydrogen fueled engine combustion using optical/laser diagnostics for heavy duty transportation sector.
The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) was originally created by the CCRC Faculty in coordination with nominated students with the intension of representing the student body to CCRC administration. Now, the rebranded Center Engagement Committee (CEC) purpose is to empower, and make the voice of all CCRC students, postdocs, and researchers in all of their needs and interests.