Argonne National Laboratory

Riccardo Scarcelli

Group Leader – Multi-Physics Engine Computations

Biography

Dr. Riccardo Scarcelli is a Principal Research Scientist at the Center for Transportation Research, Transportation and Power Systems (TAPS) division of Argonne National Laboratory. Dr. Scarcelli is a senior Staff Member of the Multi-Physics Computation section of the ES division and supervises a number of Postdoctoral Appointees and additional external collaborators at US and foreign universities.

Dr. Scarcelli’s research interests have been encompassing a very broad range of scientific topics within the automotive field, from internal combustion engines fueled by alternative gaseous fuels, to advanced gasoline engine concepts and advanced ignition technologies. He has been conducting applied as well as fundamental research, some examples of the latter being fundamental studies of high-pressure gaseous fuel injection, fundamental studies of conventional and non-conventional ignition processes, high-fidelity modeling of highly under-expanded gas jets, and physics of thermal and non-thermal plasmas. Dr. Scarcelli has been positioning himself as one of the lead researchers worldwide in applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to conduct multi-dimensional simulations for spark-ignition (SI) engines, advanced ignition and SI combustion concepts, gaseous fuels (hydrogen and natural gas) for engines, high-pressure gaseous injection, plasma assisted ignition technologies, compression ignition and dual-fuel engines, co-optimization of fuels and engines, and more.

Dr. Scarcelli received his Ph.D. in Engineering of Energy-Environment from the University of Rome ​“Tor Vergata”, Italy, in 2008, with the Ph.D. dissertation ​“Lean-Burn Operation for Natural Gas/Air Mixtures: the Dual-Fuel Engines”. He also received a Master Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rome ​“Tor Vergata”, Italy, in 2004, with a M.S. Dissertation ​“Numerical Simulation of Combustion in a SI Engine Fueled by Natural Gas”.

In 15+ years of research, Dr. Scarcelli has authored 1 book chapter, 28 journal articles, 45 peer reviewed papers, and additional 13 conference papers. He has been invited to give a number of oral presentations at several meetings, including SAE events, ASME events, AIAA events, DOE Program Review Meetings, User Conferences, etc. In addition to authoring several SAE and ASME journal articles, Dr. Scarcelli has also published his work in several prestigious journals, e.g., International Journal of Engine Research, Plasma Source Science and Technology, International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, Journal of Automobile Engineering, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Energy & Fuels.

Professional Experience

  • Principal Research Scientist - Argonne National Laboratory (2019-present).
  • Principal Mechanical Engineer - Argonne National Laboratory (2017-2019).
  • Engine and Emissions Research Engineer - Argonne National Laboratory (2012-2017).
  • Postdoctoral Appointee - Argonne National Laboratory (2008-2012).

Awards and Recognition

  • 2021. Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Fellow Grade of Membership:
    • For the significant impact on the mobility industry through leadership, research, publishing, innovation, and volunteering.
  • 2018. ASME ICE Division award for most valuable technical paper in Numerical Simulations track:
    • Scarcelli, R., et al., ​“Development of a Hybrid Lagrangian-Eulerian Model to Describe Spark-Ignition Processes at Engine-Like Turbulent Flow Conditions,” ASME Paper ICEF2018-9690.
  • 2016. Argonne Pacesetter Award:
    • For excellence in achievement and performance which truly surpasses normal job expectations
  • 2014. Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Forest R. McFarland Award:
    • For the outstanding contributions toward the work of the SAE Engineering Meetings Board (EMB) in the planning, development, and dissemination of technical information through technical meetings, conferences, and professional development programs or outstanding contributions to the EMB operations in facilitating or enhancing the interchanges of technical information.

Technical Society Involvement and Leadership

  • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
    • SAE member (2009-present).
    • Vice-Chair of the Engine Combustion Committee (2021-present).
    • Active member of the Engine Combustion Committee (2013-present).
    • Active member of the General Powertrain Development Committee (2020-present).
    • Active member of the of Advanced Power Source Committee (2011-2013).
    • Lead-Organizer and Chair of the Gaseous Fueled Engines session at the SAE World Congress (2011-present).
    • Organizer of several technical sessions on Gaseous Fueled Engines or Hydrogen Engines at other SAE conferences, including SAE International Conference on Engines and Vehicles and SAE International Powertrain Fuel and Lubricants (2011-present).
    • Conference Co-Host, Conference Co-Organizer, and Track Chair (Engine Modeling and Diagnostics) for the 2015 SAE International Conference on Engines and Vehicles, Italy.
  • ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division
    • ASME member (2020-present).
    • Elected Distinguished Associate of the Internal Combustion Engine Division (ICED) of ASME in 2021.

Publications Summary

  • Journal publications: 28
  • Book chapters: 1
  • Keynote & other invited talks: 18
  • Peer-reviewed conference publications: 45
  • Other conference publications: 13
  • Total citations: 938 (Google Scholar, June 2021)
  • H-index: 18 (Google Scholar, June 2021)
  • i10-index: 35 (Google Scholar, June 2021)

Selected Publications

  1. Scarcelli, R., et al.  ​“Development of a Hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian Model to Describe Spark-Ignition Processes at Engine-Like Turbulent Flow Conditions,” ASME Journal Engines Gas Turbines Power, 2019.
  2. Scarcelli, R., et al.  ​“Modeling non-equilibrium discharge and validating transient plasma characteristics at above-atmospheric pressure,” Plasma Sources Science Technology, 2018.
  3. Scarcelli, R., et al.  ​“Multi-dimensional Modeling of Non-equilibrium Plasma for Automotive Applications,” SAE Technical Paper 2018-01-0198.
  4. Scarcelli, R., et al.  ​“Cycle-to-Cycle Variations in Multi-Cycle Engine RANS Simulations”, SAE paper 2016-01-0593.
  5. Scarcelli, R., et al. ​“Capturing Cyclic Variability in Exhaust Gas Recirculation Dilute Spark-Ignition Combustion Using Multicycle RANS,” ASME Journal Engines Gas Turbines Power, 2016.
  6. Scarcelli, R., et al., ​“High Pressure Gaseous Injection: A Comprehensive Analysis of Gas Dynamics and Mixing Effects”, ASME Paper ICEF2012-92137, 2012.
  7. Scarcelli, R., et al.  ​“Mixture Formation in Direct Injection Hydrogen Engines: CFD and Optical Analysis of Single- and Multi-Hole Nozzles,” SAE International Journal of Engines, 2011.
  8. Scarcelli, R., et al., ​“CFD and Optical Investigations of Fluid Dynamics and Mixture Formation in a DI-H2 ICE”, ASME paper ICEF2010-35084, 2010.
  9. Cruccolini, V., Scarcelli, R., et al. ​“Multidimensional modeling of nonequilibrium plasma generated by a radio-frequency corona discharge,” Plasma Sources Science Technology, 2020.
  10. Zhang, A., Scarcelli, R., et al., ​“Numerical investigation of nanosecond pulsed discharge in air at above-atmospheric pressures,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2018.
  11. Zhang, A., Scarcelli, R., et al., ​“Numerical Investigation of Spark Ignition in Lean and Dilute Methane/Air Mixture Using Detailed Energy Deposition Model”, SAE technical paper 2016-01-0609, 2016.
  12. Bartolucci, L., Scarcelli, R., et al., ​“Gaseous Direct Injection from an Outward Opening Injector: CFD and X-ray Analysis”, SAE technical paper 2016-01-0850, 2016.
  13. Verhelst, S., Demuynck, J., Sierens, R., Scarcelli, R., Matthias, N., Wallner, T., ​“Chapter 18: Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines”, included in the Book entitled ​“Renewable Hydrogen Technologies: Production, Purification, Storage, Applications and Safety”, Elsevier, 2012.
  14. Wallner, T., Matthias, N.S., Scarcelli, R., Kwon, J.C., ​“Evaluation of Efficiency and Drive Cycle Emissions for a Hydrogen Direct Injection Engine”, IMechE Journal of Automobile Engineering, Part D, Journal of Automobile Engineering, Special Issue on ​“Vehicle Fuel Economy: High Efficiency Engines and Hybrid Powertrains”, 2012.
  15. Matthias, N., Wallner, T., and Scarcelli, R., ​“A Hydrogen Direct Injection Engine Concept that Exceeds U.S. DOE Light-Duty Efficiency Targets”, SAE International Journal of Engines, 2012.