Computationally Efficient Whole-Engine Model of a Cummins 2007 Turbocharged Diesel Engine

This paper describes an accurate, flexible, and computationally efficient whole engine model incorporating a multizone, quasidimension combustion submodel for a 6.7-l six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), cooled air, and multiple fuel injections. The engine performance and NOx emissions predicative capability of the model is demonstrated at 22 engine operating conditions. The only model inputs are physical engine control module “control actions,” including injection rates, injection timings, EGR valve position, and variable geometry turbocharger rack position. The model is run using both “open” and “closed” loop control strategies for air/EGR path control, in both cases achieving very good correlation with experimental data. Model outputs include in-cylinder pressure and heat release, torque, combustion timing, brake specific fuel consumption, EGR flow rate, air flow rate, exhaust and intake pressure, and NOx emissions. The model predicts engine performance and emissions with average absolute errors within 5% and 18%, respectively, of true values with “open-loop” air/EGR control, and within 5% and 11% with “closed-loop” air/EGR control. In addition, accurate prediction of the coupling of the in-cylinder combustion and emission-production processes with the boosted, cooled air/EGR gas dynamics is a key characteristic of the model.