Homogeneous Charge

Compression Ignition (HCCI)

Engines
Gajendra Singh

Contents

Need of HCCI
HCCI Engine Concept
Advantage & Challenges related to HCCI
Future Aspects.

The Challenges Facing Us

Emission (NOx & Soot)

Fuel Economy

Urban
Pollution

Fuel Consumption is increased by more than 10 % in last 7

years

Solution
Hybrid
Fuel

Vehicles

Cells

HCCI

Engines

GDI

Engine

Low

Emissions Technologies

New

Materials

Advanced
Efficient

Design Simulations

Electronics and Electrical Devices

What is an HCCI Engine?

HCCI is a form of internal combustion in which the

Homogeneous Charge is compressed to the point of auto
ignition.
HCCI incorporates the best features of both spark ignition
(SI) and compression ignition (CI)
As in an SI engine, the charge is well mixed, which
minimizes particulate emissions.
As in a CI engine, the charge is compression ignited and
has no throttling losses, which leads to high efficiency.

Traditional combustion (left) uses a spark to ignite the mixture. HCCI (right)
uses piston compression for a more complete ignition.

SI Engine

HCCI

Unlike conventional engines, the combustion occurs

simultaneously throughout the volume rather than
in a flame front.
This important attribute of HCCI allows combustion
to occur at much lower temperatures, dramatically
reducing engine-out emissions of NOx

Working

Advantage
Relative to SI gasoline engines, HCCI engines are
more efficient, approaching the efficiency of a
CIDI engine.
Reason for Improved Efficiency

Elimination of throttling losses.

High compression ratios
Shorter combustion duration (No Flame front, so distance
to travel)

Fuel-Flexibility

 Emission
HCCI engines also have lower engine-out NOx.
HCCI engines have substantially lower emissions of PM.
The low emissions of PM and NOx in HCCI engines are a result of the
dilute homogeneous air and fuel mixture. The charge in an HCCI
engine may be made dilute by being very lean by EGR.

HCCI engines may be lower cost since use lowerpressure fuel-injection equipment.

Challenges

Controlling Ignition Timing over a Range of Speeds and Load .

varying the amount of hot EGR.
using a VCR mechanism.
using a VVT mechanism.

Extending the Operating Range to High Load

Dual Mode Operation
Cold-Start Capability
Using glow plugs.
Start the engine in spark-ignition mode.

Hydrocarbon and Carbon Monoxide Emission

Using Oxidation Catalysts.

Research Aspects

Ignition Timing Control

Engine Cold-Start
Heat release rate
Multi-Cylinder Engine Effects
Fuel System
Engine Control Strategies and Systems
Engine Transient Operation
Prototype HCCI car from
Saturn

pHCCI (Partial Homogeneous Charge

Compression Ignition )

In Partial HCCI mode the engine is cold-started as an SI or CI

engine, then switched to HCCI mode for idle and low- to mid-load
operation to obtain the benefits of HCCI in this regime. For highload operation, the engine would again be switched to SI or CI
operation.

The Future of HCCI

The future of HCCI looks promising specially with partial

HCCI mode.
Major companies such as GM, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and
Volkswagen have invested in HCCI research.
Technology

Estimated Year of
Commercialization

Saturn-Aura

pHCCI

Test Vehicle is on the

Road.

Opel-Vectra

pHCCI

2015

Mercedes

Dies-otto

PHCCI

Test Vehicle is on the

Road.

Volkswage
n

Touran

Company

Company

General
Motors

CCS(Combined Combustion Spark)

2015

GCI(Gasoline Compression Ignition)

Ford

pHCCI

2015

Conclusion

HCCI is a combustion concept which is developed in

response to the need of lower NOx & soot emission and
Efficiency.
It can substantially overcome both the problems but still it
needs a lot of development.

Thanks