CFD Analysis of Diesel Engine Intake Manifold

Every automotive manufacturer wants to achieve IC engines with maximum efficiency in today's world. To achieve maximum efficiency, engineers try to tweak various components. One such component is the intake manifold. The function of the intake manifold is to provide air to the combustion chamber. The intake manifold is primarily made up of a plenum inlet duct which connects the plenum and runner based on a number of engine cylinders. Researchers have investigated the effect of changing plenum length and runner length, however, there is a lack of literature about the effect of changing runner angle. This paper investigates the effect of changing the runner angle and inlet position on pressure and flow distribution. Six iterations of intake manifold design are investigated using CFD methodology. Parameters such as pressure drop, pressure gradient, and flow distribution are evaluated. The results obtained in CFD analysis show that out of the six designs, the optimal intake manifold design has a runner angle of 120º, and an inlet located offset from the center.