Numerical Investigation and Multi-Objective Optimization of Internal EGR and Post-Injection Strategies on the Combustion, Emission and Performance of a Single Cylinder, Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine

<jats:p>This work presents a numerical study that investigates the optimum post-injection strategy and internal exhaust gas recirculation (iEGR) application with intake valve re-opening (2IVO) aiming to optimize the brake specific nitric oxide (bsNO) and brake specific soot (bsSoot) trade-off with reasonable brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) via 1D engine cycle simulation. For model validation, single and post-injection test results obtained from a heavy-duty single cylinder diesel research engine were used. Then, the model was modified for 2IVO application. Following the simulations performed based on Latin hypercube DoE; BSFC, bsNO and bsSoot response surfaces trained by feedforward neural network were generated as a function of the injection (start of main injection, post-injection quantity, post-injection dwell time) and iEGR (2IVO dwell) parameters. After examining the effect of each parameter on pollutant emission and engine performance, multi-objective pareto optimization was performed to obtain pareto optimum solutions in the BSFC-bsNO-bsSoot space for 8.47 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) load and 1500 rpm speed condition. The results show that iEGR and post-injection can significantly reduce NO and soot emissions, respectively. The soot oxidation capability of post-injection comes out only if it is not too close to the main injection and its efficiency and effective timing are substantially affected by iEGR rate and main injection timing. It could also be inferred that by the combination of iEGR and post-injection, NO and soot could be reduced simultaneously with a reasonable increase in BSFC if start of main injection is phased properly.</jats:p>

section_content: Due to the strict pollutant emission regulations, diesel engine development studies can be carried out limitedly because of the trade-off relationships between the soot and NO x emissions which are the inevitable results of the compression-ignition combustion mechanism [1, 2]. Although advanced exhaust aftertreatment systems are effective and quite durable, they still impose extra packaging problems and costs for the overall powertrain system. In recent years, studies have been carried out on in-cylinder emission reduction techniques that have the potential to reduce the burden, size and costs of aftertreatment systems [3]. In-cylinder NO x formation is usually controlled by external exhaust gas recirculation (eEGR), which is a well-known method and is applied by redirecting cooled exhaust gases to the intake manifold [4]. eEGR is effective in lowering the maximum temperature of the burned gases, which is the source of thermal NO x formation, as it leads to increased thermal capacity, decreased oxygen concentration and dilution of in-cylinder charge [5]. Another way to dilute in-cylinder charge and reduce NO x emission by lowering O 2 concentration is to use of internal EGR (iEGR) by controlling in-cylinder residual gases thanks to variable valve actuation (VVA) technology. The application of iEGR with VVA is able to change the charge formation process of the engine very quickly [6] and its reaction to transient operating conditions is much faster, since burnt gases follow a shorter route as compared to eEGR. In addition, the heat losses arising from the use of eEGR are prevented and the in-cylinder charge is heated efficiently with the iEGR. Furthermore, it improves the post cold start capability of the engine by supplying a local feed of chemical species [7]. 

In this study, the application of iEGR with VVA was carried out by intake valve re-opening during the expansion and exhaust stroke (2IVO), as it provides relatively cooler and higher residual gas fraction than the other strategies such as exhaust valve re-opening (2EVO) [8]. eEGR and iEGR strategies can be carried out without any deterioration in efficiency when certain engine operating parameters such as the combustion phasing are synchronously tuned with EGR [3, 9]. 

However, as is well known, for conventional diesel operation the reduction of the oxygen concentration in the intake air typically increases the engine out soot [3]. High pressure modern common rail injection systems allow multiple injection to improve the combustion and reduce pollutant emissions by precisely controlling the fuel injection process [10, 11]. When the main injection timing is adjusted to optimum, split injection has been shown to be a powerful tool that can be used to reduce soot and NO x emissions in DI and IDI engines simultaneously. It is defined as dividing the main single injection profile in two or more injection pulses with definite delay dwell between the injections [12]. Post-injection, which refers to the small amount of fuel (typically up to approximately 20% of total fuel) [13] injected for a short time after the main injection, is one of the effective multiple injection strategies used to reduce in-cylinder soot emission [14, 15]. 

Balaji et al. [8] conducted experimental and numerical studies to develop an iEGR system on a six cylinder, off-road diesel engine based on modified cam with 2IVO and 2EVO. The results showed that 2IVO has a higher potential of iEGR trapping than 2EVO for the same lift and 2IVO with 1. 45 mm secondary lift which yielded 10% iEGR provided 27% reduction in NO x emission. Millo et al. [16] performed tests with the 2-cylinder IDI diesel engine according to the ECE-40 driving cycle and carried on 1D model simulations for iEGR application through 0. 6 mm 2IVO and 1 mm 2EVO strategies. They concluded that 5% and 13% reduction in NO x emission could be obtained respectively, without causing a significant increase in BSFC and particulate matter (PM) emission. Baratta et al. [5] studied the potential of iEGR and eEGR in reducing the engine-out NO x emission in a heavy-duty diesel engine at steady-state and transient conditions by means of a refined 1D fluiddynamic engine model. It has been stated that at steady-state conditions with equal EGR fractions, the NO x reduction potential of iEGR was lower compared to eEGR and it caused deterioration in BSFC especially in medium-low load. The results in transient conditions showed that iEGR has the potential to control EGR ratio and NO x emission more accurately, despite little detriment in fuel consumption. Choi et al. [17] investigated the effect of post-injection on the engine-out soot emission for 30% and 60% eEGR conditions. The results concluded that the effect of the post-injection on emissions and combustion is quite different for varying EGR rates. Close post-injection with a dwell of 10 • CA reduced PM emission because of improved fuel distribution for 30% EGR condition and charge cooling effect for 60% EGR. Helmantel and Golovitchev [18] stated that at 10-13 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) condition with high EGR rate (~41%), additional post-injection to the conventional pilot-main injection scheme significantly reduced soot emission when the post-injection quantity was in the range of 17-30% and the dwell angle was 10-12 • CA away from the start of main injection. While Hotta et al. [19] observed that the combination of close post-injection and high EGR improves the trade-off between soot, fuel consumption and NO x in a single cylinder, light duty diesel engine; Bobba et al. [20] showed that retarded post-injection timing is much more effective in reducing soot emission. Almeida et al. [21] explored the effect of eEGR and post-injection on combustion characteristics and emissions of a 3. 2 L light duty diesel engine. The results implied that post-injection is effective in reducing the peak heat release of the main injection and EGR usage for the same NO x level. In addition, it has been stated that post-injection improves soot oxidation by increasing the probability of the fuel finding available oxygen. Cho et al. [22] numerically studied the effect of iEGR application through recompression by reducing exhaust valve lift and duration and post-injection on emission and performance of a 4-cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Their findings showed that the iEGR by recompression is efficient in utilizing heat energy by increasing the EGR rate by about 10%. On the other hand, it was stated that retarded post-injection together with iEGR by VVA improved IMEP, NO x and indicated specific fuel consumption (ISFC). 

To summarize, numerous studies have been carried out showing eEGR, iEGR and post-injection are effectively used to reduce NO x and soot emissions. However, studies in which EGR and post-injection were applied together were limited with eEGR only and the effect of the EGR and other injection parameters on post-injection efficiency is still unclear. In this respect, the current work is focused on detailed numerical investigation of the post fuel injection and iEGR application with VVA technology for the diesel engine considered and the multi-objective pareto optimization in terms of NO-Soot-BSFC trade-off. For this purpose, 1D engine model created with GT-Power software has been validated with the experimental data at 8. 47 bar BMEP and 1500 rpm speed condition and modified for iEGR application with 2IVO. Then, the effect of each parameter on soot, NO and BSFC has been investigated with the help of response surfaces trained by the feedforward neural network. Finally, parameter sets that optimize soot, NO and BSFC have been determined by multi-objective pareto optimization.
section_name: Introduction

section_name: Methodology

section_content: The engine model was created as shown in Figure 1 and validated with the experimental data of the single cylinder diesel engine-the specifications of which are listed in Table 1. The conservation of continuity, energy, and momentum equations (Equations (1)-( 3 )) [23], which are called Navier-Stokes equations, were solved in one dimension using finite volume scheme. The flow solution was performed by integration of conservation equations in both time and space [24]. 

Energies

Figure 2 shows the injection rate profile for 52 mg total fuel mass and 1000 bar rail pressure. Here SoI and α post refers to the start of main injection and post injection dwell time between the end of the main injection and the start of the post injection respectively while the PFQ (Post Fuel Quantity) denotes the post injected fuel quantity as a percentage of the total fuel mass injected. In the present work, a predictive, phenomenological (based on zone modeling) [25] DIPulse combustion model which can be used for single and multiple injection events in direct injection diesel engines [26] was employed. NO, which is the major component of engine out NO x, was estimated by three step extended Zeldovich mechanism [27]. The Nagle and Strickland-Constable model [28] has been used to predict the soot emission. In-cylinder heat transfer coefficient was calculated by empirical Hohenberg correlation [29], which is a simplified Woschni correlation [4]. Details of the engine operating condition and injection events for the Baseline (BL) and post injection cases used for the model validation are provided in Table 2. Figure 2 shows the injection rate profile for 52 mg total fuel mass and 1000 bar rail pressure. Here SoI and α post refers to the start of main injection and post injection dwell time between the end of the main injection and the start of the post injection respectively while the PFQ (Post Fuel Quantity) denotes the post injected fuel quantity as a percentage of the total fuel mass injected. The intake and the exhaust valve lift curves of the test engine are shown in Figure 3. The iEGR application for the engine model was carried out by 2IVO during the expansion and exhaust stroke by returning some of the burned gases in the cylinder to the intake port and releasing it back to the cylinder for the subsequent cycle. The main opening and closing angles of the intake and exhaust valves were kept constant. α2IVO and h2IVO represent the angle between the secondary and the main opening of the intake valve and the maximum valve lift during the 2IVO period, respectively. Residual gas fraction (RGF) which varies depending on α2IVO for the single injection case is illustrated in Figure 4. For α2IVO: 88 and 118. 5 °CA, the RGF is lower than the case when 2IVO is not applied (RGF: 1. 28%), since the air flow takes place from the intake port to the cylinder as shown in Figure 5. In the case where α2IVO: 179. 5 and 210 °CA, the RGF The intake and the exhaust valve lift curves of the test engine are shown in Figure 3. The iEGR application for the engine model was carried out by 2IVO during the expansion and exhaust stroke by returning some of the burned gases in the cylinder to the intake port and releasing it back to the cylinder for the subsequent cycle. The main opening and closing angles of the intake and exhaust valves were kept constant. α 2IVO and h 2IVO represent the angle between the secondary and the main opening of the intake valve and the maximum valve lift during the 2IVO period, respectively. The intake and the exhaust valve lift curves of the test engine are shown in Figure 3. The iEGR application for the engine model was carried out by 2IVO during the expansion and exhaust stroke by returning some of the burned gases in the cylinder to the intake port and releasing it back to the cylinder for the subsequent cycle. The main opening and closing angles of the intake and exhaust valves were kept constant. α2IVO and h2IVO represent the angle between the secondary and the main opening of the intake valve and the maximum valve lift during the 2IVO period, respectively. Residual gas fraction (RGF) which varies depending on α2IVO for the single injection case is illustrated in Figure 4. For α2IVO: 88 and 118. 5 °CA, the RGF is lower than the case when 2IVO is not applied (RGF: 1. 28%), since the air flow takes place from the intake port to the cylinder as shown in Figure 5. In the case where α2IVO: 179. 5 and 210 °CA, the RGF Residual gas fraction (RGF) which varies depending on α 2IVO for the single injection case is illustrated in Figure 4. For α 2IVO : 88 and 118. 5 • CA, the RGF is lower than the case when 2IVO is not applied (RGF: 1. 28%), since the air flow takes place from the intake port to the cylinder as shown in Figure 5. In the case where α 2IVO : 179. 5 and 210 • CA, the RGF rises to 16. 21% and 28. 81% respectively due to growing mass transfer from the cylinder to the intake port. For α 2IVO : 149 • CA, mass transfer occurs both from the intake port to the cylinder and vice versa at the time of 2IVO and the RGF is the same as when 2IVO is not employed. 

Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 2 rises to 16. 21% and 28. 81% respectively due to growing mass transfer from the cylinder t the intake port. For α 2IVO : 149 °CA, mass transfer occurs both from the intake port to th cylinder and vice versa at the time of 2IVO and the RGF is the same as when 2IVO is no employed.
section_name: Engine Modelling

section_content: Latin Hypercube sampling in which the minimum and maximum values of the pa rameters and total number of simulation points are defined as in Table 3 was performed Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 2 rises to 16. 21% and 28. 81% respectively due to growing mass transfer from the cylinder t the intake port. For α 2IVO : 149 °CA, mass transfer occurs both from the intake port to th cylinder and vice versa at the time of 2IVO and the RGF is the same as when 2IVO is no employed.
section_name: Design of Experiments (DoE) and Multi-Objective Pareto Optimization

section_content: Latin Hypercube sampling in which the minimum and maximum values of the pa Energies 2021, 14, 15 7 of 21
section_name: Design of Experiments (DoE) and Multi-Objective Pareto Optimization

section_content: Latin Hypercube sampling in which the minimum and maximum values of the parameters and total number of simulation points are defined as in Table 3 was performed in the current study. The maximum values of α post and α 2IVO were limited to 40 • CA and 210 • CA, respectively, to prevent the escape of the unburned fuel from the cylinder to the intake port. In addition, α 2IVO was determined as 149 • CA for the baseline condition since the in-cylinder conditions such as in-cylinder pressure (ICP) in-cylinder temperature (ICT) and RGF for α 2IVO : 149 • CA are exactly the same as the condition when 2IVO is not employed. Based on the design matrix created, a total of 250 simulations were carried out by DIPulse combustion model; the outputs of the analysis points (bsSoot, bsNO, BSFC and RGF) were fitted by means of a multilayered feedforward neural network and multi-objective pareto optimization [30] with non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-III (NSGA-III) [31] was employed to obtain parameter sets that minimize bsSoot, bsNO and BSFC. The multi-objective optimization with n variables, k objectives and m constraints is defined by Equation ( 4 ):

where Equation ( 5 ) is an objective function vector, and Equation ( 6 ) is a constraint condition vector. If there are no other feasible solutions to →

x ∈ X satisfying:
section_name: Design of Experiments (DoE) and Multi-Objective Pareto Optimization

section_content: x * ∈ X is referred to as pareto optimal solution for the specified problem, while a set of pareto optimal solution f (

) is called pareto front [32, 33]. Figure 6 shows the work-flow process from Latin Hypercube design to multi-objective pareto optimization. 

⃗ * ∈ is referred to as pareto optimal solution for the specified problem, while a set of pareto optimal solution ( ⃗ * ) is called pareto front [32, 33]. Figure 6 shows the workflow process from Latin Hypercube design to multi-objective pareto optimization.
section_name: →

section_name: Results and Discussion

section_content: As it can be seen from Figure 7, the in-cylinder pressure (ICP), in-cylinder temperature (ICT) and heat release rate (HRR) curves obtained from the model and experimental data showed good agreement, denoting that the numerical model can well represent the combustion process of the engine. The model validation results of the engine tests indicated in Table 2 are shown in Figure 8 in terms of bsSoot, bsNO and BSFC. It is clearly seen that the results obtained from the model are very close to the experimental data, except for the soot emission due to the inability of the 1D model to adequately capture some of the physical processes in the real engine such as spray formation, turbulence and the 3D structure of the combustion chamber. However, soot trends obtained from the model are similar to the experimental results and acceptable for the purpose of this study. 

Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 22
section_name: Model Validation

section_content: As it can be seen from Figure 7, the in-cylinder pressure (ICP), in-cylinder temperature (ICT) and heat release rate (HRR) curves obtained from the model and experimental data showed good agreement, denoting that the numerical model can well represent the combustion process of the engine. The model validation results of the engine tests indicated in Table 2 are shown in Figure 8 in terms of bsSoot, bsNO and BSFC. It is clearly seen that the results obtained from the model are very close to the experimental data, except for the soot emission due to the inability of the 1D model to adequately capture some of the physical processes in the real engine such as spray formation, turbulence and the 3D structure of the combustion chamber. However, soot trends obtained from the model are similar to the experimental results and acceptable for the purpose of this study.
section_name: Model Validation

section_content: In this section, the effect of iEGR and injection parameters on the in-cylinder combustion characteristics for some selected operating points were examined through the validated 1D model.
section_name: Combustion Analysis

section_content: In this section, the effect of iEGR and injection parameters on the in-cylinder combustion characteristics for some selected operating points were examined through the validated 1D model. 

Figure 9 illustrates the effect of α 2IVO on ICP, ICT and HRR patterns for SoI: -15 • CA, PFQ: 7. 5% and α post : 22 • CA. With the addition of residual gases to the intake charge, the first peak of HRR and consequently the maximum ICP decreases as a result of decreasing volumetric efficiency, O 2 concentration and increasing thermal capacity [2]. This effect appears to be higher as α 2IVO or iEGR increases [34]. Despite the decrease in O 2 concentration, the ICT shows an increasing trend due to the rise of the high temperature residual gases as α 2IVO increases from 149 • CA to 210 • CA [35]. Since the effect of increased ICT and charge dilution at the beginning of the cycle due to iEGR [36] compensated each other, no significant change in ignition delay is observed for the main injection. In the case where α 2IVO increases, since the main combustion mostly takes place in the form of diffusion combustion and the main combustion duration is prolonged, post-combustion at α post : 22 • CA occurs while the main combustion proceeds, especially for α 2IVO : 210 • CA. Therefore, HRR peak of the post combustion becomes less obvious. 

In the case of 7. 5% post injection for SoI: -15 • CA and α 2IVO : 179. 5 • CA, the first peak of HRR for close post injection (α post : 4 and 13 • CA) reduces slightly compared to the single injection due to the reduction in the main injection quantity and keeps constant for the further delayed post-injections (Figure 10 ). HRR decreases in diffusion combustion phase compared to single injection since the main injection duration is shortened by employing post-injection. Therefore, maximum ICT and maximum ICP decrease slightly [37]. In the case of very close post injection (α post : 4 • CA), despite the slight decrease in maximum ICP compared to the single injection case, the angle at which the ICP is maximum is almost unchanged since the post-combustion still occurs while the main combustion proceeds. As it is clearly understood from the HRR curves in Figure 10, when the post-injection is introduced farther than α post : 4 • CA (e. g., α post : 13, 22, 31, 40 • CA), both the variation in maximum ICP decreases and the angle at which the maximum ICP occurs slightly shifts towards top dead center (TDC) since the post combustion starts to gradually separate from the main combustion. In addition, as α post gets larger, peak of HRR for the post combustion increases due to reduced equivalence ratio and increased ignition delay [20]. 

pears to be higher as α 2IVO or iEGR increases [34]. Despite the decrease in O 2 concentration, the ICT shows an increasing trend due to the rise of the high temperature residual gases as α 2IVO increases from 149 °CA to 210 °CA [35]. Since the effect of increased ICT and charge dilution at the beginning of the cycle due to iEGR [36] compensated each other, no significant change in ignition delay is observed for the main injection. In the case where α 2IVO increases, since the main combustion mostly takes place in the form of diffusion combustion and the main combustion duration is prolonged, post-combustion at α post : 22 °CA occurs while the main combustion proceeds, especially for α 2IVO : 210°CA. Therefore, HRR peak of the post combustion becomes less obvious. In the case of 7. 5% post injection for SoI: -15 °CA and α 2IVO : 179. 5 °CA, the first peak of HRR for close post injection (α post : 4 and 13 °CA) reduces slightly compared to the single injection due to the reduction in the main injection quantity and keeps constant for the further delayed post-injections (Figure 10 ). HRR decreases in diffusion combustion phase compared to single injection since the main injection duration is shortened by employing post-injection. Therefore, maximum ICT and maximum ICP decrease slightly [37]. In the case of very close post injection (α post : 4 °CA), despite the slight decrease in maximum ICP compared to the single injection case, the angle at which the ICP is maximum is almost unchanged since the post-combustion still occurs while the main combustion proceeds. As it is clearly understood from the HRR curves in Figure 10, when the post-injection is introduced farther than α post : 4 °CA (e. g., α post : 13, 22, 31, 40 °CA), both the variation in maximum ICP decreases and the angle at which the maximum ICP occurs slightly shifts towards top dead center (TDC) since the post combustion starts to gradually separate from the main combustion. In addition, as α post gets larger, peak of HRR for the post combustion increases due to reduced equivalence ratio and increased ignition delay [20]. ICP, ICT and HRR patterns for SoI: -15 °CA, α 2IVO : 179. 5 °CA and α post : 22 °CA are delineated in Figure 11 for 5%, 10% and 15% PFQ. It is clearly seen from the figure that as PFQ increases, the second peak of HRR rises [38] and the first peak of HRR reduces slightly as mentioned before. In addition, as PFQ increases, the amount of fuel in the main ICP, ICT and HRR patterns for SoI: -15 • CA, α 2IVO : 179. 5 • CA and α post : 22 • CA are delineated in Figure 11 for 5%, 10% and 15% PFQ. It is clearly seen from the figure that as PFQ increases, the second peak of HRR rises [38] and the first peak of HRR reduces slightly as mentioned before. In addition, as PFQ increases, the amount of fuel in the main jet and therefore HRR decreases in diffusion-controlled combustion phase [39]. Thus, maximum ICT and maximum ICP reduce accordingly. Figure 12 depicts the ICP, ICT and HRR for varying SoI timings in the case where α 2IVO : 179. 5 °CA, PFQ: 7. 5%, and α post : 22 °CA. Because of the relatively high ICT at the start of the main injection for SoI: 0 °CA and the associated short ignition delay [40], the HRR peak for the premixed combustion is not apparent and the combustion caused by the main injection takes place almost completely in the form of diffusion combustion. Since the combustion occurs at a point far from TDC in the expansion stroke, the ICP at the moment of combustion is lower than the ICP at the end of the compression stroke. With the advance of SoI to -15 °CA, ignition delay increases due to the relatively low ICT at the start of main injection, and thus, the premixed combustion HRR peak begins to appear [41]. In addition, maximum ICP and maximum ICT increase since the main combustion takes place closer to TDC. Advancing SoI further to -30 °CA causes a significant rise in the first peak of HRR due to a longer ignition delay, which tends to promote more premixed combustion and increase in maximum ICT and maximum ICP [42] [43] [44]. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen from the figure that as SoI is advanced from 0° CA to -30 °CA, ignition delay for post injection and therefore second peak of HRR decrease since α post is constant and post injection is performed at higher ICT conditions. Figure 12 depicts the ICP, ICT and HRR for varying SoI timings in the case where α 2IVO : 179. 5 • CA, PFQ: 7. 5%, and α post : 22 • CA. Because of the relatively high ICT at the start of the main injection for SoI: 0 • CA and the associated short ignition delay [40], the HRR peak for the premixed combustion is not apparent and the combustion caused by the main injection takes place almost completely in the form of diffusion combustion. Since the combustion occurs at a point far from TDC in the expansion stroke, the ICP at the moment of combustion is lower than the ICP at the end of the compression stroke. With the advance of SoI to -15 • CA, ignition delay increases due to the relatively low ICT at the start of main injection, and thus, the premixed combustion HRR peak begins to appear [41]. In addition, maximum ICP and maximum ICT increase since the main combustion takes place closer to TDC. Advancing SoI further to -30 • CA causes a significant rise in the first peak of HRR due to a longer ignition delay, which tends to promote more premixed combustion and increase in maximum ICT and maximum ICP [42] [43] [44]. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen from the figure that as SoI is advanced from 0 • CA to -30 • CA, ignition delay for post injection and therefore second peak of HRR decrease since α post is constant and post injection is performed at higher ICT conditions.
section_name: Combustion Analysis

section_content: In the following section, effect of iEGR with 2IVO and post injection parameters on the formation and oxidation mechanisms of NO and soot emissions and BSFC were discussed with some of the selected trained response surfaces. While examining the effect of any two parameters on the specified output, other parameters were kept constant at their average values of the design intervals indicated in Table 3. 

Figure 13a shows the variation in bsSoot with respect to α post for varying SoI timings. Considering the soot emissions for SoI: 0 °CA, it is seen that the soot emission is higher in the case of very close post injection (e. g., α post : 4, 8 and 12 °CA) due to the penetration of the post-injected fuel into the zone with higher equivalence ratio and higher temperature resulting from the main combustion (Figure 10 ) [45]. 

When the post injection is delayed to some extent (e. g., α post : ~22 °CA), soot emission decreases and reaches the minimum level due to reduced local equivalence ratio [45] and sufficient temperatures still available for soot oxidation. With further delay of α post up to 40°CA, soot oxidation deteriorates due to the lower ICT at the time of post injection and soot emission starts to increase. As a result of advancing the SoI from 0 °CA to -30 °CA, maximum ICT increases (Figure 12 ), and the soot emission decreases due to enhanced soot oxidation [46]. As indicated in Figure 13b, the reduced O 2 concentration due to increased α 2IVO causes higher soot emission because of the fuel rich zones [4, 47]. With the increase of α 2IVO, the α post angles at which soot oxidation is maximum is delayed. This can be attributed to temperatures which may enable maximum soot oxidation can be obtained for larger α post due to rising ICT (Figure 9 ) resulting from the increased α 2IVO and relatively lower local equivalence ratio at the time of delayed post injection. As clearly seen in the Figure 13c, as PFQ increases, the soot emission increases in the case of close post injection where the soot formation is maximum (e. g., α post : 4, 10 °CA) and decreases in the case of relatively late post injection where the soot oxidation is maximum (e. g., α post : ~26 °CA).
section_name: Emission and Performance Analysis

section_content: In the following section, effect of iEGR with 2IVO and post injection parameters on the formation and oxidation mechanisms of NO and soot emissions and BSFC were discussed with some of the selected trained response surfaces. While examining the effect of any two parameters on the specified output, other parameters were kept constant at their average values of the design intervals indicated in Table 3. 

Figure 13a shows the variation in bsSoot with respect to α post for varying SoI timings. Considering the soot emissions for SoI: 0 • CA, it is seen that the soot emission is higher in the case of very close post injection (e. g., α post : 4, 8 and 12 • CA) due to the penetration of the post-injected fuel into the zone with higher equivalence ratio and higher temperature resulting from the main combustion (Figure 10 ) [45]. 

When the post injection is delayed to some extent (e. g., α post : ~22 • CA), soot emission decreases and reaches the minimum level due to reduced local equivalence ratio [45] and sufficient temperatures still available for soot oxidation. With further delay of α post up to 40 • CA, soot oxidation deteriorates due to the lower ICT at the time of post injection and soot emission starts to increase. As a result of advancing the SoI from 0 • CA to -30 • CA, maximum ICT increases (Figure 12 ), and the soot emission decreases due to enhanced soot oxidation [46]. As indicated in Figure 13b, the reduced O 2 concentration due to increased α 2IVO causes higher soot emission because of the fuel rich zones [4, 47]. With the increase of α 2IVO, the α post angles at which soot oxidation is maximum is delayed. This can be attributed to temperatures which may enable maximum soot oxidation can be obtained for larger α post due to rising ICT (Figure 9 ) resulting from the increased α 2IVO and relatively lower local equivalence ratio at the time of delayed post injection. As clearly seen in the Figure 13c, as PFQ increases, the soot emission increases in the case of close post injection where the soot formation is maximum (e. g., α post : 4, 10 • CA) and decreases in the case of relatively late post injection where the soot oxidation is maximum (e. g., α post : ~26 • CA). Figure 14a illustrates the variation in bsNO with respect to α post for varying SoI tim ings. It is obvious from the figure that bsNO increases as SoI is advanced [44] due to th increasing ICT (Figure 12 ). In the case of post injection up to α post :~18 °CA for SoI: 0 °CA bsNO slightly increases as compared to close post injections partially due to the extende duration of the NO formation caused by the main combustion and partially to the im proved post combustion (Figure 10 ) due to the decreased equivalence ratio. It should als be noted that the α post angle at which the bsNO starts to increase slightly is also delaye as SoI is advanced. bsNO decreases as α 2IVO increases as shown in Figure 14b, and the α p angles where NO emission starts to increase slightly also delays as α 2IVO gets larger sinc the local equivalence ratio that will allow NO formation can be obtained in larger α post a RGF incre-ases. From the Figure 14c, it can be concluded that the increasing PFQ reduce bsNO compared to single injection (PFQ: 0%) due to the increasing O 2 consumption of th post combustion and decreasing ICT resulting from the reduced main injection quanti Figure 14a illustrates the variation in bsNO with respect to α post for varying SoI timings. It is obvious from the figure that bsNO increases as SoI is advanced [44] due to the increasing ICT (Figure 12 ). In the case of post injection up to α post :~18 • CA for SoI: 0 • CA, bsNO slightly increases as compared to close post injections partially due to the extended duration of the NO formation caused by the main combustion and partially to the improved post combustion (Figure 10 ) due to the decreased equivalence ratio. It should also be noted that the α post angle at which the bsNO starts to increase slightly is also delayed as SoI is advanced. bsNO decreases as α 2IVO increases as shown in Figure 14b, and the α post angles where NO emission starts to increase slightly also delays as α 2IVO gets larger since the local equivalence ratio that will allow NO formation can be obtained in larger α post as RGF incre-ases. From the Figure 14c, it can be concluded that the increasing PFQ reduces bsNO compared to single injection (PFQ: 0%) due to the increasing O 2 consumption of the post combustion and decreasing ICT resulting from the reduced main injection quantity (Figure 11 ) [48] in the case of close post injection (e. g., α post : 4 and 10 • CA) and only due to the reduction in the main injection quantity in the case of retarded post injections (e. g., α post : 28, 34 and 40 • CA). 

Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 14 of 22 (Figure 11 ) [48] in the case of close post injection (e. g., α post : 4 and 10 °CA) and only due to the reduction in the main injection quantity in the case of retarded post injections (e. g., α post : 28, 34 and 40 °CA). As shown in Figure 15a, BSFC is minimum for SoI: -12 °CA and α post : 4 °CA. When SoI is delayed to 0 °CA, BSFC increases compared to SoI: -12 °CA as the start of combustion shifts towards the expansion stroke (Figure 12 ) and the contribution to power production decreases due to the reduction in maximum ICP [44]. On the other hand, by advancing SoI to -30 °CA, maximum ICP increases but the crank angle at which the ICP is maximum become closer to TDC, and more significant part of the pressure rise occurs before the TDC (Figure 12 ) leading to rise in BSFC [42]. As the α post increases for SoI: 0 °CA, BSFC increases due to the reduction in the contribution of post injection on power production [49]. Despite that, BSFC slightly improves up to α post : ~15 °CA for SoI: 30 °CA as the amount of fuel burned in the compression stroke reduces. As it can be inferred from As shown in Figure 15a, BSFC is minimum for SoI: -12 • CA and α post : 4 • CA. When SoI is delayed to 0 • CA, BSFC increases compared to SoI: -12 • CA as the start of combustion shifts towards the expansion stroke (Figure 12 ) and the contribution to power production decreases due to the reduction in maximum ICP [44]. On the other hand, by advancing SoI to -30 • CA, maximum ICP increases but the crank angle at which the ICP is maximum become closer to TDC, and more significant part of the pressure rise occurs before the TDC (Figure 12 ) leading to rise in BSFC [42]. As the α post increases for SoI: 0 • CA, BSFC increases due to the reduction in the contribution of post injection on power production [49]. Despite that, BSFC slightly improves up to α post : ~15 • CA for SoI: 30 • CA as the amount of fuel burned in the compression stroke reduces. As it can be inferred from the Figure 15b, increasing α 2IVO and therefore RGF deteriorates BSFC due to the reduced volumetric efficiency and O 2 concentration [2]. In addition, the rate of increase in BSFC due to α post decreases slightly for the greater α 2IVO angles. Lastly, Figure 15c shows that the increase in BSFC due to rising PFQ is much more pronounced as α post increases due to the decreasing contribution of the post injection on power production. 

Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 15 o the Figure 15b, increasing α 2IVO and therefore RGF deteriorates BSFC due to the redu volumetric efficiency and O 2 concentration [2]. In addition, the rate of increase in BS due to α post decreases slightly for the greater α 2IVO angles. Lastly, Figure 15c shows that increase in BSFC due to rising PFQ is much more pronounced as α post increases due to decreasing contribution of the post injection on power production.
section_name: Emission and Performance Analysis

section_content: During the optimization process, six constraints were applied to eliminate negat results and prevent excessive increase in BSFC, bsNO and bsSoot [50]. Consequently, design space was limited to 0. 1 g/kWh, 12 g/kWh and 210 g/kWh in terms of bsSoot, bsN and BSFC, respectively. Figure 16 shows all feasible solutions (green points) and par
section_name: Multi-Objective Optimization

section_content: During the optimization process, six constraints were applied to eliminate negative results and prevent excessive increase in BSFC, bsNO and bsSoot [50]. Consequently, the design space was limited to 0. 1 g/kWh, 12 g/kWh and 210 g/kWh in terms of bsSoot, bsNO and BSFC, respectively. Figure 16 shows all feasible solutions (green points) and pareto optimum solutions (red points) generated by the NSGA-III algorithm within the specified constraints. Because the optimization contained three unique objectives, the pareto front contains the sets of four engine design variables which minimizes these three objectives differently [51]. The generated pareto front which consists of design points with varying bsNO, bsSoot and BSFC is shown in Figure 17. 

Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 16 of 22 optimum solutions (red points) generated by the NSGA-III algorithm within the specified constraints. Because the optimization contained three unique objectives, the pareto front contains the sets of four engine design variables which minimizes these three objectives differently [51]. The generated pareto front which consists of design points with varying bsNO, bsSoot and BSFC is shown in Figure 17. Table 4 shows the input parameter values for the four optimum design points (DPs) selected from the entire pareto front, the objective values obtained from the response surface models (RSM) and confirmation simulations carried out by the 1D model, the deviation of the RSM results with respect to 1D model and the variation of the objective values of the optimum design points with respect to the Baseline case based on the 1D model results. The baseline (BL) represents the single injection case (SoI: -15 °CA aTDC) without iEGR and the evaluations were carried out by comparing the BL case with the selected design points. The RGF output specified in the table was not defined as an objective in the optimization process and was included only to observe their values in optimum design points. Figure 18 shows the ICP, ICT and HRR traces for the baseline case and selected design points. Although the SoI was slightly advanced (-18. 29 • CA) at DP-1, which expresses the "low bsNO" condition, by re-opening the intake valve at α 2IVO : 195. 97 • CA (RGF: 24. 1287%) and introducing 12. 57% post injection at α post : 32. 15 • CA, the first peak of HRR and maximum ICP decreased with respect to baseline case. In contrast, the ICT at the beginning of the cycle and maximum ICT increased by the hot residual gases. The lower ICP compared to baseline condition at the beginning of the cycle is due to the decrease in volumetric efficiency caused by the iEGR. By advancing the SoI and employing post injection, higher soot emission due to iEGR could be kept below the limit of 0. 1 g/kWh. As a result of iEGR application, post injection and the slight advance of SoI, NO emission decreased by 66. 79%, from 8. 8109 to 2. 9217 g/kWh, soot emission increased by 67. 4% from 0. 0549 to 0. 0919 g/kWh and BSFC increased by 6. 95% from 193. 7229 to 207. 1815 g/kWh. At DP-3 which represents the "Low BSFC" condition, peak of HRR, maximum ICP and maximum ICT decreased with respect to the baseline case by delaying SoI (-11. 99 °CA aTDC) and almost without applying iEGR (RGF: 1. 3725%) and post injection (PFQ: 0. 65%). The portion of the ICP rise in the compression stroke decreased and the angle at which the ICP is maximum shifted towards the expansion stroke. Thus, BSFC decreased by 0. 68% from 193. 7229 to 192. 4023 g/kWh due to increased thermal efficiency. On the other hand, with the delay of SoI, due to the lower ICT, soot emission increased by 75. 77% from 0. 0549 to 0. 0965 g/kWh, while NO emission decreased by 17. 62% from 8. 7983 to 7. 2478 g/kWh. 

At DP-4, which states the "low bsNO & bsSoot" condition, soot formation reduced by advancing SoI to -22. 92 °CA aTDC, while NO formation was diminished by re-opening the intake valve at α 2IVO : 188. 66 °CA (RGF: 20. 9297%). As the advanced SoI dominated the RGF rise in terms of ignition delay, the peak of HRR increased with respect to the baseline case and maximum ICT rose due to combined effect of increased peak of HRR and iEGR. The main injection quantity reduced due to the post injection and majority of the heat was released in the compression stroke further away from the TDC caused by the advanced SoI. Therefore, the maximum ICP decreased and shifted towards TDC as compared to the baseline condition and BSFC increased by 7. 6% to 208. 4541 g/kWh due to worsened thermal efficiency. By introducing 10. 47% post injection for α post : 33. 84 °CA in addition to advancing the SoI and applying iEGR, bsNO and bsSoot decreased by 32. 16% and 30. 6% to 5. 9689 and 0. 0381 g/kWh respectively.
section_name: Multi-Objective Optimization

section_content: The following conclusions can be drawn within the limitations of this study, which includes numerical analysis of post-injection and iEGR applications and multi-objective pareto optimization performed for a diesel engine running at 1500 rpm speed and 8. 47 bar BMEP load condition. At DP-3 which represents the "Low BSFC" condition, peak of HRR, maximum ICP and maximum ICT decreased with respect to the baseline case by delaying SoI (-11. 99 • CA aTDC) and almost without applying iEGR (RGF: 1. 3725%) and post injection (PFQ: 0. 65%). The portion of the ICP rise in the compression stroke decreased and the angle at which the ICP is maximum shifted towards the expansion stroke. Thus, BSFC decreased by 0. 68% from 193. 7229 to 192. 4023 g/kWh due to increased thermal efficiency. On the other hand, with the delay of SoI, due to the lower ICT, soot emission increased by 75. 77% from 0. 0549 to 0. 0965 g/kWh, while NO emission decreased by 17. 62% from 8. 7983 to 7. 2478 g/kWh. 

At DP-4, which states the "low bsNO & bsSoot" condition, soot formation reduced by advancing SoI to -22. 92 • CA aTDC, while NO formation was diminished by re-opening the intake valve at α 2IVO : 188. 66 • CA (RGF: 20. 9297%). As the advanced SoI dominated the RGF rise in terms of ignition delay, the peak of HRR increased with respect to the baseline case and maximum ICT rose due to combined effect of increased peak of HRR and iEGR. The main injection quantity reduced due to the post injection and majority of the heat was released in the compression stroke further away from the TDC caused by the advanced SoI. Therefore, the maximum ICP decreased and shifted towards TDC as compared to the baseline condition and BSFC increased by 7. 6% to 208. 4541 g/kWh due to worsened thermal efficiency. By introducing 10. 47% post injection for α post : 33. 84 • CA in addition to advancing the SoI and applying iEGR, bsNO and bsSoot decreased by 32. 16% and 30. 6% to 5. 9689 and 0. 0381 g/kWh respectively.
section_name: Conclusions

section_content: The following conclusions can be drawn within the limitations of this study, which includes numerical analysis of post-injection and iEGR applications and multi-objective pareto optimization performed for a diesel engine running at 1500 rpm speed and 8. 47 bar BMEP load condition.
section_name: Conclusions

section_content: With the application of 2IVO, up to 28. 81% RGF can be provided for the specified operating conditions in the range of α 2IVO : 149 • CA-210 • CA for h 2IVO : 3 mm.
section_name: 1.

section_content: The iEGR increases the ICT, but NO emission is significantly reduced by diluting the in-cylinder charge. In contrast, soot and BSFC deteriorate due to the decrease in oxygen concentration and volumetric efficiency. 3. 

Post injection has significant potential to reduce soot emission in cases where it is not very close to the main injection, and optimal α post in terms of soot emission delays as iEGR increases and SoI advances. 4. 

The increase in PFQ reduces NO emission. The soot formation rises with increasing PFQ in close post injection while it provides a greater reduction in soot emission at α post angles where the soot emission is minimum.
section_name: 2.

section_content: The BSFC deteriorates by advancing the SoI from -15 • CA to -30 • CA as well as by delaying it to 0 • CA, and the positive effect of post injection on BSFC occurs only in early SoI timings, since it reduces the amount of fuel burned in the compression stroke.
section_name: 5.

section_content: The optimization results were found to be compatible with the study conducted to examine the effects of the iEGR and injection parameters on emissions and performance of the engine and show that simultaneous reduction of bsNO, bsSoot and BSFC relative to baseline is not possible for the operating conditions under consideration. On the other hand, thanks to the combined use of iEGR and post injection and proper adjustment of SoI; bsNO and bsSoot could be reduced simultaneously by 32. 16% and 30. 6%, respectively with only 7. 6% increase in BSFC.
section_name: 6.

section_name: Acknowledgments:

section_content: The authors would like to thank the TÜMOSAN Engine and Tractor Co. for their technical support and providing the GT-Power license.
section_name: Acknowledgments:

section_content: Funding: This research was supported by the Republic of Turkey, Minister of Industry and Technology ( 0665. STZ. 2014 ) with the partnership of TÜMOSAN Engine and Tractor Co.

section_name: Data Availability Statement:

section_content: The data presented in this study are not publicly available due to privacy procedures of some of the participants of the study.
section_name: Data Availability Statement:

section_content: Figure 18 shows the ICP, ICT and HRR traces for the baseline case and selected design points. Although the SoI was slightly advanced (-18. 29 °CA) at DP-1, which expresses the "low bsNO" condition, by re-opening the intake valve at α 2IVO : 195. 97 °CA (RGF: 24. 1287%) and introducing 12. 57% post injection at α post : 32. 15 °CA, the first peak of HRR and maximum ICP decreased with respect to baseline case. In contrast, the ICT at the beginning of the cycle and maximum ICT increased by the hot residual gases. The lower ICP compared to baseline condition at the beginning of the cycle is due to the decrease in volumetric efficiency caused by the iEGR. By advancing the SoI and employing post injection, higher soot emission due to iEGR could be kept below the limit of 0. 1 g/kWh. As a result of iEGR application, post injection and the slight advance of SoI, NO emission decreased by 66. 79%, from 8. 8109 to 2. 9217 g/kWh, soot emission increased by 67. 4% from 0. 0549 to 0. 0919 g/kWh and BSFC increased by 6. 95% from 193. 7229 to 207. 1815 g/kWh. Table 4 shows the input parameter values for the four optimum design points (DPs) selected from the entire pareto front, the objective values obtained from the response surface models (RSM) and confirmation simulations carried out by the 1D model, the deviation of the RSM results with respect to 1D model and the variation of the objective values of the optimum design points with respect to the Baseline case based on the 1D model results. The baseline (BL) represents the single injection case (SoI: -15 • CA aTDC) without iEGR and the evaluations were carried out by comparing the BL case with the selected design points. The RGF output specified in the table was not defined as an objective in the optimization process and was included only to observe their values in optimum design points.