In the present study, an innovative design of the urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system without conventional mixing elements was developed. The aim was to obtain a high degree of urea decomposition, and uniform ammonia distribution at the inlet to the catalyst, while minimising the liquid film deposition and keeping the compact design. The concept of the design was based on creating high turbulences and elongating the flow paths of the droplets. The design was verified through a series of numerical simulations based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach and a discrete droplet model (DDM) spray representation. The analysis included various operating conditions as well as subcooled and superheated sprays. A uniform ammonia distribution was achieved regardless of the operating points and spray properties. Additionally, in the case of the flash-boiling injection, a further reduction of the wall film was observed.

Self-impinging liquid jets can provide efficient atomization, which is utilized, inter alia, in rocket engines. The following research presents an analysis of structures formed by the collision of two jets with an impingement angle of 30° under relatively high Reynolds and Weber numbers. Structures formed by two symmetrical water columns impinging at a low angle were investigated experimentally using a high-speed camera and global illumination. It aimed at verifying within what angles (measured in two perpendicular directions) the liquid is distributed depending on the jets' Reynolds and Weber numbers. The results revealed that the spray cloud is highly affected by the ruptures of the liquid sheet, which leads to its immediate disintegration for high Reynolds and Weber numbers of jets. Increased dimensionless numbers resulted in a wider spray angle observed in a normal direction to the plane of jets. At the same time, the angle viewed parallel to the jets' plane decreased, indicating a possible transition from a planar to a conical spray shape. When these two dimensionless numbers are high enough, intensive atomization of wide, symmetrical spray can be achieved even under low injection pressures (≤ 1 MPa).

The following research presents a numerical evaluation of existing and conceptual urea-mixing devices used in close-coupled (to the engine) selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. The analysis was aimed at the assessment of urea-mixing devices that could considerably enhance the reduction of nitrogen oxides from the diesel-engine combustion process under a wide range of operating conditions, including cold starts. The analysis showed that replacing blade-equipped static mixers with perforated stationary mixing devices may provide a more uniform spatial distribution of ammonia at the inlet to the SCR catalyst and reduce pressure drops generated by mixing devices. Moreover, the conceptual mixing devices, based on combinations of the blade and perforated mixers to develop intensive turbulence, enabled the increase of the mixing length leading to effective decomposition of the urea-water solution (UWS), and provided uniform spatial distribution of ammonia, even for the small-sized mixing systems. However, the intensive mixing was often associated with a significant rise in the pressure drop.

Combustion processes in compression ignition engines lead to the inevitable generation of nitrogen oxides, which cannot be limited to the currently desired levels just by optimising the in-cylinder processes. Therefore, simulation-based engine development needs to include all engine-related aspects which contribute to tailpipe emissions. Among them, the SCR (selective catalytic reduction) aftertreatment-related processes, such as urea–water solution injection, urea decomposition, mixing, NOx catalytic reduction, and deposits’ formation, are the most challenging, and require as much attention as the processes taking place inside the cylinder. Over the last decade, the urea-SCR aftertreatment systems have evolved from underfloor designs to close-coupled (to the engine) architecture, characterised by the short mixing length. Therefore, they need to be tailor-made for each application. This study presents the CFD-based development of a multi-platform SCR system with a short mixing length for mobile non-road applications, compliant with Stage V NRE-v/c-5 emission standard. It combines multiphase dispersed flow, including wall wetting and urea decomposition kinetic reaction modelling to account for the critical aspects of the SCR system operation. The baseline system’s design was characterised by the severe deposit formation near the mixer’s outlet, which was attributed to the intensive cooling in the mounting area. Moreover, as the simulations suggested, the spray was not appropriately mixed with the surrounding gas in its primary zone. The proposed measures to reduce the wall film formation needed to account for the multi-platform application (ranging from 56 to 130 kW) and large-scale production capability. The performed simulations led to the system design, providing excellent UWS–exhaust gas mixing without a solid deposit formation. The developed system was designed to be manufactured and implemented in large-scale series production.

In the present study, a flow rig with optical access intended for spray investigations in exhaust system-relevant conditions was analysed in terms of flow and temperature in the spray area using numerical simulations. The operation of the rig was examined for a wide range of exhaust mass flow rates, temperatures and various forms of UWS (urea-water solution) spray plumes. The locations of the injector and thermocouple were verified. Both conventional and flash-boiling injections were considered to assess the effect of the interaction of sprays with a gas flow. The results showed a highly uniform flow in the visualisation area, with only minor fluctuations near the walls. A similar observation was carried out for the temperature distribution. It was found that the extreme operating conditions caused substantial deformations of the spray plumes. However, the selected injector location allowed us to properly observe the spray formation regardless of the flow conditions. The study showed that the examined test rig enabled reliable spray investigations for a wide range of operating points.