Charged Micro Fuel Injection for Small, Heavy Fuel Engines

Charged fuel injection accelerates the fuel vaporization process to the point that heavy fuels can be efficiently combusted at significantly reduced ambient air temperatures and pressures in engines that range in horsepower from below 5 to around 200. Phase I will focus on analytically and experimentally demonstrating charged fuel injection within an off-the-shelf 8.5 hp Lombardini 6LD 400 direct injected diesel engine or an equivalent. Proof of concept effort will include: 1) numerical simulation of the charged fuel injection process within a direct injected engine, 2) high speed photography of the prototype charged fuel injection process, and 3) bench-top operation of charged fuel injection within the 8.5 hp Lombardini engine. Phase I will culminate in submission of a Phase II plan that defines the effort necessary to implement charged heavy fuel injection within engines ranging from 5 hp to 200 hp. All upgraded engine electrical systems, power required, mechanical components and injector detail designs will be fully compatible with JP5, JP8 and diesel fuel operation. During Phase II three prototype engines (approximately 10 hp, 100 hp, and 200 hp) will be configured with charged fuel injection and demonstrate efficient for heavy fuel operation at reduced ambient temperature and pressure levels. Our proposed coordination with multiple small engine developers through interaction with a Blue Ridge Diesel will accelerate transition of charged fuel injection into numerous commercial products.