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

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mechatronics Engineering and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, China

    Lei Zhang  (张雷), Hai-jun Xu  (徐海军), Cun-yun Pan  (潘存云) & Xiao-jun Xu  (徐小军)

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  1. Lei Zhang  (张雷)
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  2. Hai-jun Xu  (徐海军)
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  3. Cun-yun Pan  (潘存云)
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  4. Xiao-jun Xu  (徐小军)
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Correspondence to Hai-jun Xu  (徐海军).

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Foundation item: Projects(51475464, 51175500) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

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Zhang, L., Xu, Hj., Pan, Cy. et al. Combustion simulation and key parameter optimization for opposite axial piston engine in small-scale. J. Cent. South Univ. 22, 3397–3408 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-015-2880-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-015-2880-4

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