Effects of swirl on high-speed combustion in a single-shot optical SI engine

Single-shot tests in a single-cylinder, optical SI engine operated by a rapid compression and expansion machine were performed in order to investigate the combined effects of engine speed, ignition position and swirl on early combustion and overall performance. For central ignition, swirl showed consistently favourable effects on combustion-related performance. However, at half-radius ignition the desirable swirl effect persisted at low engine speeds but faded away as the speed increased. This reversing of trends can be partially explained by differences in the maximum cylinder pressure, flame growth rate and flame front wrinkling.