Effects of spark assist on HCCI combustion

HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) combustion is initiated by compression temperature and is independent of spark discharge. However, spark discharge can be applied under certain conditions to achieve hybrid combustion, where combustion by flame propagation is followed by auto-ignition of the unburned mixture. Spark assist can be applied to improve combustion stability at low loads or to reduce pressure rise rates under high load regime. In the current study variable spark ignition timing was applied for stoichiometric HCCI combustion, achieved using negative valve overlap technique. Under investigated conditions increase of nitrogen oxides emissions, due to flame propagation, was not observed. To provide more insight into combustion evolution, double Wiebe function was fitted to experimental heat release rates. It was found that only less than 10% of mixture was burned by flame propagation, even for very advanced spark discharge.