Virtual Engine Simulation

Simulation of diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines (virtual engine simulation)

The continuous evolution of internal combustion engines, guided by the lowering of fuel consumption and polluting emissions limits, brings with it the need to design an engine control system that is increasingly complex and refined, capable of managing all the possible engine operating conditions. The engine system is also more and more complex due to the addition of thermodynamic, hydraulic and electro-mechanical subsystems.

Engine simulation by means of more or less detailed models is a crucial aid in the design of the control system and of the subsystems: on the one hand, it avoids part of the experimentation and reduces design costs and times, on the other it makes it possible to perform a detailed analysis and to characterize the phenomena taking place inside the engine.

In particular, Magneti Marelli has developed the following specific competences:

• 0D and 1D modelling of gasoline and diesel engines in stationary and transitory mode for engine control.
• 1D predictive modelling of gasoline and diesel engine performances and emissions
• Modelling and optimization of the operation of fuel injection systems
• Multi-dimensional CFD analysis of charge exchange processes in the engines, under actual operation conditions

• CFD-3D analysis and optimization of blend formation in gasoline engines;
  • optimization/matching combustion chamber – injector (injection pattern and spray pattern) for direct injection engines.
  • Development of injection strategies (split and multiple) for blend and particulate matter formation control 

• CFD-3D analysis of processes with closed valves (spray, combustion) in diesel engine
• Numerical forecast and calculation optimization of performances, fuel consumption and emissions of internal combustion engines.