For a long time, internal combustion (IC) engines have been the mainstay of power generating and transportation systems. However, a move toward cleaner and more efficient engine technologies has been spurred by stricter pollution restrictions and growing environmental concerns. In this context, combustion modeling has emerged as a critical tool for understanding in-cylinder processes and improving engine performance. This review focuses on the evolution and application of various combustion modeling techniques for IC engines, with an emphasis on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and their correlation with experimental data. Combustion modeling spans a wide spectrum – from zero-dimensional thermodynamic models to advanced three-dimensional CFD-based simulations. While zero- and one-dimensional models offer fast computation and are suitable for preliminary assessments, they fall short in capturing spatial variations and transient phenomena. Conversely, CFD techniques provide detailed insight into fluid flow, fuel-air mixing, flame propagation, ignition processes, and pollutant formation within the combustion chamber. The effectiveness of CFD models hinges on the integration of turbulence, chemical kinetics, spray dynamics, and heat transfer modules. Commonly used combustion models include the Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC), Flamelet models, and Probability Density Function (PDF) approaches, each with its own strengths and limitations. Experimental validation remains a cornerstone for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these simulations. Techniques, such as high-speed imaging, in-cylinder pressure measurements, and optical diagnostics, like Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), play a vital role in refining and validating combustion models. Furthermore, empirical correlations for ignition delay, heat release rates, and emission predictions provide additional support for numerical modeling frameworks. This review aims to present a holistic overview of current combustion modeling practices, highlighting the challenges and future trends in the domain. The synergistic use of CFD and experimental data is crucial for advancing the predictive capabilities of combustion simulations and supporting the development of next-generation IC engines.

Keywords: Combustion modeling, internal combustion engines, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimental validation, ignition delay correlations, emission prediction.

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1. Heywood JB. Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
2. Turns SR. An Introduction to Combustion: Concepts and Applications. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
3. Reitz RD, Duraisamy G. Review of high-efficiency and clean reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion in internal combustion engines. Prog Energy Combust Sci. 2015;46:12–71.
4. Payri F, García A, Domenech V, Durrett R. A comprehensive study on combustion process using optical diagnostics in a diesel engine. Appl Therm Eng. 2013;52(1):481–94.
5. Pope SB. Computationally efficient implementation of combustion chemistry using in situ adaptive tabulation. Combust Theory Model. 1997;1(1):41–63.
6. Li J, Zeng W, Yao M, Zheng Z. Recent progress in low-temperature combustion and its application to advanced compression ignition engines. Fuel. 2017;189:130–47.
7. Lakshminarayanan PA, Aghav YV. Modelling Diesel Combustion. Dordrecht: Springer; 2010.
8. Versteeg HK, Malalasekera W. An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method. 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited; 2007.
9. Sjoberg M, Dec JE. Influence of fuel autoignition conditions on the combustion phasing in HCCI engines. SAE Technical Paper 2004-01-0551; 2004.
10. Ihme M. Combustion and engine-core modeling for gas-turbine applications. Proc Combust Inst. 2017;36(3):3787–801.
11. Chomiak J. Combustion: A Study in Theory, Fact and Application. London: Taylor & Francis; 1990.

For a long time, internal combustion (IC) engines have been the mainstay of power generating and transportation systems. However, a move toward cleaner and more efficient engine technologies has been spurred by stricter pollution restrictions and growing environmental concerns. In this context, combustion modeling has emerged as a critical tool for understanding in-cylinder processes and improving engine performance. This review focuses on the evolution and application of various combustion modeling techniques for IC engines, with an emphasis on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and their correlation with experimental data. Combustion modeling spans a wide spectrum – from zero-dimensional thermodynamic models to advanced three-dimensional CFD-based simulations. While zero- and one-dimensional models offer fast computation and are suitable for preliminary assessments, they fall short in capturing spatial variations and transient phenomena. Conversely, CFD techniques provide detailed insight into fluid flow, fuel-air mixing, flame propagation, ignition processes, and pollutant formation within the combustion chamber. The effectiveness of CFD models hinges on the integration of turbulence, chemical kinetics, spray dynamics, and heat transfer modules. Commonly used combustion models include the Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC), Flamelet models, and Probability Density Function (PDF) approaches, each with its own strengths and limitations. Experimental validation remains a cornerstone for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these simulations. Techniques, such as high-speed imaging, in-cylinder pressure measurements, and optical diagnostics, like Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), play a vital role in refining and validating combustion models. Furthermore, empirical correlations for ignition delay, heat release rates, and emission predictions provide additional support for numerical modeling frameworks. This review aims to present a holistic overview of current combustion modeling practices, highlighting the challenges and future trends in the domain. The synergistic use of CFD and experimental data is crucial for advancing the predictive capabilities of combustion simulations and supporting the development of next-generation IC engines.

Keywords: Combustion modeling, internal combustion engines, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimental validation, ignition delay correlations, emission prediction.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Heywood JB. Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
2. Turns SR. An Introduction to Combustion: Concepts and Applications. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
3. Reitz RD, Duraisamy G. Review of high-efficiency and clean reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion in internal combustion engines. Prog Energy Combust Sci. 2015;46:12–71.
4. Payri F, García A, Domenech V, Durrett R. A comprehensive study on combustion process using optical diagnostics in a diesel engine. Appl Therm Eng. 2013;52(1):481–94.
5. Pope SB. Computationally efficient implementation of combustion chemistry using in situ adaptive tabulation. Combust Theory Model. 1997;1(1):41–63.
6. Li J, Zeng W, Yao M, Zheng Z. Recent progress in low-temperature combustion and its application to advanced compression ignition engines. Fuel. 2017;189:130–47.
7. Lakshminarayanan PA, Aghav YV. Modelling Diesel Combustion. Dordrecht: Springer; 2010.
8. Versteeg HK, Malalasekera W. An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method. 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited; 2007.
9. Sjoberg M, Dec JE. Influence of fuel autoignition conditions on the combustion phasing in HCCI engines. SAE Technical Paper 2004-01-0551; 2004.
10. Ihme M. Combustion and engine-core modeling for gas-turbine applications. Proc Combust Inst. 2017;36(3):3787–801.
11. Chomiak J. Combustion: A Study in Theory, Fact and Application. London: Taylor & Francis; 1990.