The effects of cylinder deactivation on the thermal behaviour and fuel economy of a three-cylinder direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine

Abstract

The changes in thermal state, emissions and fuel economy of a 1.0-L, three-cylinder direct injection spark ignition engine when a cylinder is deactivated have been explored experimentally. Cylinder deactivation improved engine fuel economy by up to 15% at light engine loads by reducing pumping work, raising indicated thermal efficiency and raising combustion efficiency. Penalties included an increase in NO_x emissions and small increases in rubbing friction and gas work losses of the deactivated cylinder. The cyclic pressure variation in the deactivated cylinder falls rapidly after deactivation through blow-by and heat transfer losses. After around seven cycles, the motoring loss is ~2 J/cycle. Engine structural temperatures settle within an 8- to 13-s interval after a switch between two- and three-cylinder operation. Engine heat rejection to coolant is reduced by ~13% by deactivating a cylinder, extending coolant warm-up time to thermostat-opening by 10² s.