Data-Driven Computational Methods in Fuel Combustion: A Review of Applications
Jacek Łukasz Wilk-Jakubowski, Łukasz Pawlik, Damian Frej, Grzegorz Wilk-Jakubowski
Abstract
This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent advancements in combustion science and engineering, focusing on the application of machine learning and genetic algorithms from 2015 to 2024. The study examines the integration of computational methods, including computational fluid dynamics, neural networks, and genetic algorithms, with various fuel types such as biodiesel, biomass, coal, gasoline, hydrogen, and natural gas. A systematic search in the Scopus database identified relevant articles, which were categorized based on fuel types and computational methodologies. The analysis covers key areas such as combustion modelling and simulation, engine applications, alternative fuels, pollutant control, and industrial combustion systems. This review highlights the growing role of machine learning and genetic algorithms in enhancing combustion efficiency, reducing emissions, and optimizing energy production, providing insights into the current state of the art and future trends in this critical field. The study further examines the geographical distribution of research, noting significant contributions from Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside other international contributions. A total of 165 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed, covering a range of combustion scenarios and fuel types. The most frequently applied methods include artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector machines (SVMs), and random forests (RFs) for predictive modeling, as well as genetic algorithms (GAs) for system optimization. ANN-based models achieved high accuracy in predicting NOx emissions and flame speed, with some studies reporting mean absolute errors below 5%. GA methods demonstrated effectiveness in fuel blend optimization and geometry design, achieving emission reductions of up to 30% in experimental setups. This review also highlights persistent challenges such as data availability, model generalization, and reproducibility, and proposes future directions toward more interpretable and standardized applications of ML/GA in combustion science.