Combustion by autoignition of a homogeneous charge aims at reducing particulate matter as well as NOx emissions, while maintaining higher thermal efficiency of conventional diesel engines. To control this new mode of combustion, a fine understanding of the mechanisms of coupling between aerodynamics and thermochemistry is required. Direct Numerical Simulations of a turbulent reactive flow, undergoing a compression, have been performed. This study led to identification of two regimes. The first, known as quasi-homogeneous, is characterized by volumetric autoignition of large zones of the reactive mixture and results in the generation of strong pressure waves, which are potentially dangerous for the structure of engines. In the second regime, called localized, hot spots are initiated more sporadically in space and time, and their topology is such that no significant pressure wave is generated.
