Numerical Evaluation of a New Strategy of Emissions Reduction by Urea Direct Injection for Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

The effect of ammoniac deoxidizing agent (Urea) on the reduction of NOx produced in the Diesel engine was investigated numerically. Urea dissolved in water was directly injected into the engine cylinder during the expansion stroke. The NOx deoxidizing process was described using a simplified chemical kinetic model coupled with the comprehensive kinetics of Diesel oil surrogate combustion. If the technology of DWI (Direct Water Injection) with the later injection timing was used, the deoxidizing reactants could be delivered in a controlled amount directly into the flame plume zones, where NOx formed. Numerical simulations for the Isotta Fraschini DI Diesel engine were carried out using the KIVA-3V code, modified to account for the “co-fuel” injection and reaction with combustion products. The results showed that the amount of NOx could be substantially reduced up to 80% with the injection timing and the fraction of Urea in the solution optimized.