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Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI): A Comprehensive Review of Combustion Fundamentals, Emission Control, Alternative Fuels, and Future Prospects
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Advanced Combustion and Propulsion Laboratory
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I10-1716983
Abstract
Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is an advanced low-temperature combustion (LTC) strategy that has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to the dual challenge of improving internal combustion (IC) engine fuel efficiency while simultaneously reducing harmful exhaust emissions. Developed at the Engine Research Center (ERC), University of Wisconsin-Madison, RCCI exploits in-cylinder fuel blending of a low-reactivity fuel (LRF) and a high-reactivity fuel (HRF) to create a stratified charge that autoignites progressively from high-reactivity zones outward, enabling precise combustion phasing control. This paper presents a comprehensive review of RCCI combustion technology spanning its foundational principles, thermodynamic advantages, fuel pairing strategies, and parametric effects of operating variables such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), injection timing and pressure, premixed ratio, and compression ratio. The review critically analyses combustion characteristics, emission profiles, and thermal efficiencies achievable across a wide operating range, and covers the role of alternative fuels including ethanol, methanol, natural gas, hydrogen, and ammonia. Special emphasis is placed on challenges limiting RCCI's commercial deployment—elevated HC and CO emissions, restricted high-load range, and complex control requirements—as well as Indian research contributions from IIT Bombay and IIT Madras. The paper concludes with future research directions encompassing machine learning-aided control, hybrid electrification integration, and zero-carbon fuel pathways.
Keywords
Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition, Dual Fuel Combustion, Low Temperature Combustion, NOx, Soot, EGR, Alternative Fuels, Emission Reduction, Thermal Efficiency, HCCI, PCCI
References
[1] Kokjohn, S.L. et al. (2011). Fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI): A Pathway to Controlled High-Efficiency Clean Combustion. Int. J. Engine Research, 12, 209–226.
[2] Splitter, D. et al. (2012). Effect of Compression Ratio and Piston Geometry on RCCI Load Limits and Efficiency. SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0383.
[3] Khedkar, N.D. et al. (2024). Assessment of Performance and Emissions of an RCCI-Diesel Dual Combustion Mode Engine During a Vehicle Duty Cycle. ASME ICEF2024-140863.
[4] Khedkar, N.D. and Sarangi, A.K. (2022). Effectiveness of EGR on Low-Load Combustion Efficiency of an RCCI Engine. SAE Int. J. Fuels and Lubricants, 16(2).
[5] Khedkar, N.D. et al. (2024). Emission Control in a Dual Fuel LTC Engine at Intermediate Loads. Int. J. Engine Research. DOI: 10.1177/14680874241234567.
[6] Duraisamy, G. et al. (2020). Methanol/Diesel and Methanol/PODE Dual Fuel RCCI Combustion. Renewable Energy, 145, 542–556.
[7] Xu, L. and Bai, X.S. (2024). Ammonia/Hydrogen/n-Heptane Engine Under RCCI Operating Conditions. Flow, Turbulence and Combustion, 112, 957–974.
[8] Elumalai, R. and Ravi, K. (2024). Optimisation of RCCI Engine Parameters for Ammonia and Algae Biodiesel Using RSM. Proc. IMechE Part E.
[9] Liu, J. et al. (2020). RCCI Engine: Pathways Towards Commercial Viability. Applied Energy, 282.
[10] Ravi, N. et al. (2018). Dynamic Modelling and Model Predictive Control of an RCCI Engine. Control Engineering Practice, 81, 129–144.
[11] Harari, P.A. et al. (2025). RCCI Engine with n-Butanol/Gasoline as LRF and Biodiesel Blend as HRF. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-97620-0.
[12] Tripathy, S. et al. (2023). Effects of Intake Throttling with Hot and Cold EGR in CNG/Diesel Dual Fuel Engine. ASME ICEF2023-109529.
[13] Ganesan, D. et al. (2023). Recent Developments of RCCI Engines Operated with Alternative Fuels. Energies, 16(7), 3192.
[14] Curran, S. et al. (2012). Effect of E85 on RCCI Performance and Emissions. SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0376.
[15] Bekdemir, C. et al. (2015). Control-Oriented Modelling of Natural Gas-Diesel RCCI Combustion. SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-1745.
How to cite this paper
@article{1716983,
author = {Lokesh Meel, Dr. Rohit Misra, Dr. Vikas Bansal, Dr. Doraj Kamal Jamuwa},
title = {Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI): A Comprehensive Review of Combustion Fundamentals, Emission Control, Alternative Fuels, and Future Prospects},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {10},
pages = {3351-3357},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1716983.pdf},
abstract = {Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is an advanced low-temperature combustion (LTC) strategy that has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to the dual challenge of improving internal combustion (IC) engine fuel efficiency while simultaneously reducing harmful exhaust emissions. Developed at the Engine Research Center (ERC), University of Wisconsin-Madison, RCCI exploits in-cylinder fuel blending of a low-reactivity fuel (LRF) and a high-reactivity fuel (HRF) to create a stratified charge that autoignites progressively from high-reactivity zones outward, enabling precise combustion phasing control. This paper presents a comprehensive review of RCCI combustion technology spanning its foundational principles, thermodynamic advantages, fuel pairing strategies, and parametric effects of operating variables such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), injection timing and pressure, premixed ratio, and compression ratio. The review critically analyses combustion characteristics, emission profiles, and thermal efficiencies achievable across a wide operating range, and covers the role of alternative fuels including ethanol, methanol, natural gas, hydrogen, and ammonia. Special emphasis is placed on challenges limiting RCCI's commercial deployment—elevated HC and CO emissions, restricted high-load range, and complex control requirements—as well as Indian research contributions from IIT Bombay and IIT Madras. The paper concludes with future research directions encompassing machine learning-aided control, hybrid electrification integration, and zero-carbon fuel pathways.},
keywords = {Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition, Dual Fuel Combustion, Low Temperature Combustion, NOx, Soot, EGR, Alternative Fuels, Emission Reduction, Thermal Efficiency, HCCI, PCCI},
month = {April},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I10-1716983}
}