Developing Lean and Clean Power

Internal combustion engines have been identified as the source of one-third of pollution and ozone-depleting greenhouse gases. Computational studies using a new comprehensive combustion model at ORNL, with perspective from our industrial partners and DOE, are meeting the pollution and the global warming problem head-on by identifying lean-limits with low emissions. Improving the ignition system and the ignition process to achieve spark stabilization at energy levels required to operate with lean fuel limits is the key to increase the engine efficiency and fuel consumption while reducing engine cyclic variability and level of NOx and other toxic gases emissions. The results of our time-dependent and multidimensional ignition+combustion model will impact the national and world economies through the transportation, power plant, and healthcare industries.