Engine Combustion

The CRF has been working closely with U.S. engine manufacturers for more than 30 years to increase scientific understanding of internal combustion engine processes affecting efficiency and emissions. Today, most of our engine research is directed toward building the science base on advanced combustion strategies that is required by industry to develop a new generation of high-efficiency, clean engines.  The strategies include: ultra-low-emission, low-temperature combustion; stratified-charge, spark-ignition combustion; and advanced diesel combustion approaches. The effects of future fuels on these strategies are also being explored.  Target vehicles include passenger cars, light-duty trucks, SUVs, and heavy-duty transport vehicles.

CRF researchers use advanced, laser-based diagnostics in conjunction with experimental hardware that simulates or closely mimics realistic engine conditions. Research hardware includes several optically accessible, single-cylinder engines with production or prototypical engine heads and an optically accessible combustion vessel capable of simulating an extremely wide range of potential engine conditions. Optical access in the engines is provided by quartz piston heads, quartz cylinder liners, windowed spacers, and/or periscopes in exhaust valves. CRF engine researchers are also developing sensitive, high-energy, laser-based diagnostics for measuring real-time particulate matter in engine exhaust streams.

Sandia’s engine combustion research program is sponsored by the Department of Energy Office of Vehicle Technologies, as well as several industry partners. The work is conducted in close cooperation with the U.S. automotive and heavy-duty diesel engine industries, energy companies, and other national laboratories through the Advanced Engine Combustion Memorandum of Understanding led by Sandia.  Leading engine research universities also participate closely in this collaboration.

Engine Combustion Network

The purpose of the Engine Combustion Network website is to provide an open forum for international collaboration among experimental and computational researchers in engine combustion.

Engine Combustion Working Groups

The Engine Combustion Working Groups website provides access to presentations and working files distributed as part of the meetings of the Advanced Engine Combustion (AEC) Working Group and the University HCCI Working Group. These files are intended for use by members of the AEC and HCCI Working Groups only. If you are a member, please select your working group:

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