Area of Interest 1: Low Temperature Combustion -- FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program Solicitation for University Research and Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) Centers of Excellence

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Area of Interest 1: Low Temperature Combustion -- FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program Solicitation for University Research and Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) Centers of Excellence: Low-Temperature Combustion (LTC) strategies providethe potential for engineswith high, diesel-like efficiencies and dramatically lower engine-outemissions. LTC involves developing lean or dilute mixtures in-cylinder,whichafter compression ignition, have peak combustion temperatures belowapproximately 1900 K to minimize NOx formation in-cylinder. LTC strategiesrange from Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) to strategiesinvolving compression ignition of partially premixed fuel charges. Theenginetechnologies being considered include engines operating solely on LTC toengines that will utilize conventional Compression Ignition DirectInjection(CIDI) or spark-ignited (SI) combustion at higher loads and startingconditions, and LTC at moderate to light loads (referred to here as ?mixed-mode? operation). Mixed-mode options offer the potential to couple thestrengths of both conventional and advanced combustion modes. Engine sizesbeing considered include light-duty (e.g., automotive) through heavy-duty(e.g., Class 8 trucks).Applications under this Area of Interest shall focus on research to improveunderstanding and/or develop technologies that enable LTC. Examples (notlimiting) of acceptable research subjects are:?Research to improve understanding of the fundamental effects of fuelinjection, air motion (e.g., swirl), and combustion chamber geometry onfuel-air mixing, combustion and emission formation processes for a range ofLTCregimes, as well as accurately simulating these processes. This includesimproving the understanding of fuel injector parameters (e.g., timing,spray-type, orifice geometry, injection pressure, single pulse versusmulti-pulse, etc.,) on LTC regimes.?Experiments and modeling to define the precision in temperature controlandmethods thereof needed for start of combustion in LTC modes.?Studies of wall heat transfer characteristics during LTC. Because of thesensitivity of the LTC processes to temperature, improved understanding ofwallheat transfer under LTC operation is needed to develop engines that operateeffectively and to develop control strategies. Also determine whether LTCmodes offer a net reduction in wall heat transfer that would lead to anefficiency improvement.?Provide fundamental data on methods for controlling the LTC process duringrapid engine transients experienced in automotive applications.?Explore methods to increase power density in LTC operation.?Reduce HC and CO emissions and associated combustion inefficiencies at lowloads, especially for pure HCCI combustion.