A methodology to study the interaction between variable valve actuation and exhaust gas recirculation systems for spark-ignition engines from combustion perspective

•A methodology to evaluate residuals temperature and composition effects is proven.•Internal residuals provide faster kernel growth and shorter combustion duration.•Composition of internal residuals has a positive combustion impact at high rates.•Internal residuals imply higher heat transfer, compensating combustion benefits.•Correlations for combustion timings vs. residuals characteristics are developed. Several technologies are being put in place to improve the efficiency of spark-ignition engines. Two of these technologies are variable valve actuation and exhaust gas recirculation, both of which can have an impact on combustion according to the literature. However, this impact is due to variations in both the in-cylinder temperature and composition, linked to the different characteristics of internal and external residuals, which are difficult to decouple. In this paper, a methodology aimed at improving the understanding of the temperature and composition effects on combustion parameters is developed. Internal residuals are controlled through a variable valve timing actuation, and evaluated thanks to a previously validated one-dimensional engine model, while the externally-circulated exhaust are extracted after the catalyst through a low-pressure system. Combustion is analyzed based on in-cylinder pressure acquisition and emissions measurement at the engine-out, before the aftertreatment module. Different combinations of internal and external residuals are tested with different strategies from the point of view of the spark actuation: first, a constant spark timing for each value of total residuals; then, a spark timing adapted to maintain the same temperature inside the cylinder at the combustion start, and finally an optimized calibration from the point of view of the engine efficiency. Results show a general trend to enhance combustion timings as higher share of internal residuals are introduced for the same amount of total residuals. It can be seen how this trend comes mostly from the temperature effect at low total residuals fraction, while composition effects are more significant as the amount of total residuals increase. Empirical correlations developed in the paper confirm the need to decouple internal and external residuals to have a proper estimation of the combustion timings. Despite the positive impact of internal residuals on the combustion duration, a small fuel consumption benefit is reached with cooled exhaust gas recirculation thanks to