High-fidelity mean value first principle modelling of dynamic response in spark-ignited marine engines

Abstract

As navies and maritime organisations transition towards low-emission propulsion systems, spark-ignited (SI) gas engines capable of operating on sustainable, low-reactivity fuels are gaining renewed interest. These engines, while offering potential for fossil-free operation, present significant challenges under transient conditions due to complex interactions between throttle control, fuel regulation, and combustion stability. Accurate dynamic modelling is critical to integrate these engines into resilient naval power systems and to support the development of advanced control strategies. This study evaluates several high-fidelity mean value first principle engine modelling (MVFPEM) approaches for simulating the dynamic gas path behaviour of a large, high-speed, SI marine engine under rapid load changes. Models with varying levels of complexity, including simplified and full turbocharger implementations and different gas path volume resolutions, were calibrated using a single measurement campaign and validated against measured transient data. Several methods for turbocharger performance mapping (Stapersma, Casey & Robinson, and Jensen) were evaluated for their applicability in predicting the engine behaviour in dynamic operating scenarios. The results highlight that models incorporating three control volumes and full turbocharger dynamics achieve the highest accuracy, particularly during rapid load increases and recovery phases. Simplified models fail to capture turbocharger inertia and pressure transients, limiting their applicability to investigate naval propulsion or electric power generation plant behaviour under transient load conditions. This work provides guidance on selecting and validating engine models for marine applications and reinforces the role of high-fidelity MVFPEMs in the design and simulation of future naval energy systems.