Combustion simulation and key parameter optimization for opposite axial piston engine in small-scale

Abstract

As potential alternative power sources used in portable electric generators, opposite axial piston engines in small-scale were investigated to show their advantages in power density. A novel cylinder charge system was introduced, based on which a quasi-dimension model and a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model were established. Comparison of those two models was carried out to validate the quasi-dimension model. Furthermore, optimal diameter of charge cylinder and speed were determined after evaluating the quasi-dimension model based on different parameters. High agreement between the quasi-dimension model and the CFD model validates the quasi-dimension model. Further studies show that the power of engine increases with the diameter of charge cylinder. However, a too big charge cylinder lowers the fuel efficiency instead. Taking economic influence into consideration the charge cylinder should be 1.4 times power cylinder, which could ensure the power density, volumetric efficiency and fuel economic at the same time. Axial piston engine running at 1.0×10⁴ r/min could achieve a better overall performance. The maximal power of engine with optimal parameters is 0.82 kW, which fits the power need of the portable electric generators completely.

Keywords

opposite axial piston engine / quasi-dimension model / computational fluid dynamics (CFD) / optimal design

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