Effects of using vortex tubes on events during cold start of a direct injection diesel engine

Abstract

Vortex tubes use a compressed gas flow and separate it into low and high temperature regions without using any moving mechanical parts. Cold and hot exhaust flows of vortex tubes can be used for different purposes. In this study, a vortex tube was used to improve the cold start performance of a six cylinders, four stroke and direct injection diesel engine of a truck. To increase the engine intake air temperature, hot exhaust of vortex tube was introduced to the engine intake manifold. Pressured air was supplied to the vortex tube from the air tank of the compressed-air brake system of the truck. Variation in the cold starting events was observed by both in cylinder pressure data and revolution of engine crank shaft. Experiments were started when the ambient air and engine cooling fluid temperatures were at 0 °C, which is a critical temperature for cold-starting diesel engines. Experimental results showed that the cold starting performance of the engine can be successfully improved by using vortex tubes. Durations of engine starting-cranking, cranking-idling, and idling-stabling were decreased due to the increase in the intake air temperature.

Problems with glow plug – a review

“…Çelik et al [20] noticed that to minimize the mentioned cold starting problems, various glow plugs are commonly used in the combustion chamber. Such electric heaters enhance the temperature of air in the combustion chamber for about 2 or 3 s before the engine starts.…”