Homogeneous Charge Compression

Ignition (HCCI) Engines

 What is an HCCI Engine?
• HCCI is a form of internal
combustion in which the fuel
and air are compressed to the
point of auto ignition.
• That means no spark is required Traditional combustion
(left) uses a spark to
to ignite the fuel/air mixture ignite the mixture. HCCI
(right) uses piston
• Creates the same amount of compression for a more
power as a traditional engine, complete ignition.

but uses less fuel.

 How Does It Work?
• A given concentration of fuel and
air will spontaneously ignite
when it reaches its auto-ignition
temperature.
• The concentration/temperature
can be controlled several ways:
– High compression ratio
– Preheating of induction gases Click here for a nice
animation of an HCCI
– Forced induction engine in action!
– Retaining or reintroducing exhaust
gases
 Advantages
• Can achieve up to 15% fuel
savings
• Lower peak temperature
leads to cleaner
combustion/lower emissions
• Can use gasoline, diesel, or HCCI automobiles could
reduce greenhouse gas
most alternative fuels emissions
 Disadvantages
• Higher cylinder peak
pressures may damage the
engine
• Auto-ignition is difficult to
control
• HCCI Engines have a Prototype HCCI car from Saturn

smaller power range

 Works Cited
• “Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homogeneous_Char
ge_Compression_Ignition November, 2008.
• “New HCCI Engine”
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/multivu/3284-
new-hcci-engine-video.htm November, 2008
• “GM Takes New Combustion Technology Out of
the Lab and Onto the Road”
http://www.gm.com/experience/fuel_economy/
news/2007/adv_engines/new-combustion-
technology-082707.jsp