About this Research Topic

Background

In recent years, the application of low-carbon dual-fuel strategy in engines has received widespread attention. On the one hand, for the purpose of reducing carbon emissions and pollutants, it is necessary to add low-carbon and/or carbon-free alternative fuels to traditional fossil fuels. On the other hand, in order to improve engine performance, the dual fuel combustion mode combines fuel design with advanced combustion technology, such as the HCCI (Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition, HCCI), RCCI (reactivity controlled compression ignition, RCCI), etc., can significantly improve the engine efficiency. In addition, when the chemical reactivity of a single alternative fuel is too high (e.g. hydrogen) and/or too low (e.g. ammonia), it is necessary to blend fuel additives with complementary chemical reactivity to improve the engine performance.

The goal of this research topic is to highlight the recent opportunities and challenges in the field of dual fuel combustion and investigate new solutions in terms of spray, fundamental combustion properties, engine performances, etc. This topic aims to continue the discourse on dual fuel combustion and application in engines while looking for novel technologies and related aspects that might achieve carbon neutrality, reduce engine pollutant emissions, and improve thermal efficiency.

In the process of global decarbonization, there is an urgent need to combine fuel design with innovative technologies to improve engine thermal efficiency and reduce emissions. However, the combustion process in engines is influenced by complex physical and chemical factors, such as the spray, evaporation, turbulent mixing, fuel chemical characteristics, geometry structure of the combustion chamber, etc. To ensure efficient combustion and reduce pollutants, it is crucial to conduct in-depth and systematic research to understand the fundamentals and applications of dual fuel engines. Relevant researches provide important guidance and support for the design and development of novel engines.

The Topic welcomes original experimental, numerical, and theoretical contributions relevant to dual fuel combustions. Submitted articles must be pertinent to dual fuel challenges in modern engines, and multi-disciplinary approaches are of interest to enhance the understanding of potential solutions for novel problems raised in dual fuel engines. In particular, specific themes include but are not limited to:

• Dual fuel spray

• Laminar/turbulent combustion of dual fuel

• Ignition characteristics of dual fuel

• Chemical kinetics of dual fuel

• Combustion diagnostics

• Pollutant generation

• Dual fuel engines

• Control strategy of dual fuel engine

• Numerical simulations of dual fuel engine and combustion

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Dual fuel, Blending, Engine, Combustion, Emission, Chemical kinetics, Decarbonization

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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