PhD defense alert: Somayeh Parsa

Modelling of Premixed Dual-Fuel Combustion in Marine Engines

You are invited to join the PhD Defense of:

Name: Somayeh Parsa

Title: Modelling of Premixed Dual-Fuel Combustion in Marine Engines

Topic:

Hydrogen and methanol offer promising pathways towards cleaner shipping and can be used in dual-fuel marine engines, where diesel initiates combustion. However, their distinct properties create challenges for achieving efficient and stable engine operation.

This research develops numerical models to better understand and predict combustion in hydrogen/diesel and methanol/diesel marine engines. The models describe key processes such as pilot ignition, flame development, and heat release, and are validated using experimental marine engine data across a wide range of operating conditions.

New approaches are introduced to improve combustion prediction. A method combining chemical kinetics with machine learning provides accurate predictions of pilot ignition delay with reduced computational effort, while a new geometric approach improves the prediction of flame development and heat release.

A combustion model is further developed and validated as a diagnostic tool for predicting different combustion modes in premixed methanol dual-fuel marine engines. The model provides insight into how combustion changes with engine operating conditions and methanol substitution, helping to identify stable operating regions.

Date defense: 8 September 2026  | 4 PM

Place: Jozef Plateau auditorium, Jozef Plateaustraat 22, 9000 Ghent