Feedforward EGR Control of a Passenger Car Diesel Engine Equipped with a DC Motor Type EGR Valve

In diesel engines, accurate EGR control is important due to its effect on nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions. Conventional EGR control system comprises a PI feedback controller for tracking target air mass flow and a feedforward controller for fast response. Physically, the EGR flow is affected by EGR valve lift and thermodynamic properties of the EGR path, such as pressures and temperatures. However, the conventional feedforward control output is indirectly derived from engine operating conditions, such as engine rotational speed and fuel injection quantity. Accordingly, the conventional feedforward control action counteracts the feedback controller in certain operating conditions. In order to improve this disadvantage, in this study, we proposed feedforward EGR control algorithm based on a physical model of the EGR system. The proposed EGR control strategy was validated with a 3.0 liter common rail direct injection diesel engine equipped with a DC motor type EGR valve.