Jet engine pre-chamber tech could transfer to cars

The research is being spurred by the growth of alternatively fuelled vehicles, prompting automotive manufacturers to optimise petrol engines.

Pre-chambers are filled with a mixture of fuel and air which ignites, producing combustion. Tiny holes in the bottom of the chamber release the hot combustion products in the form of powerful jets, which penetrate the main chamber and cause ignition.

Compared with traditional spark ignition, this method provides a large surface for multiple-site ignition and fast flame propagation and enhances the overall combustion efficiency.

According to Purdue, passive and active pre-chambers are being considered. For the former, the main-chamber mixture is pushed into the pre-chamber by compression stroke through the tiny holes; and for the latter, additional fuelling is supplied to the pre-chamber to facilitate leaner operation of the main combustion chamber.

“We have great potential at Purdue for research into automotive technology and the engines of the future,” said Li Qiao, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics in Purdue’s College of Engineering. “This pre-chamber jet ignition technology is an example of how researchers across engineering and science come together.”