Robust engine systems and operating strategies for the upcoming CO2 and emissions legislation

Project name

Robust engine systems and operating strategies for the forthcoming CO2 and emissions legislation

Project duration

01.11.2014 - 31.03.2019

Brief description

The overall aim of the project is to develop injection systems and processes for energy-efficient and low-emission diesel combustion processes. This will provide automobile and engine manufacturers with products that enable them to meet the requirements of future exhaust and consumption limits (= CO2 emissions). Accordingly, the research project proposed here addresses the need for mobility, which is at odds with the need to protect the environment. The demand for the electrification of road traffic initially appears logical if one assumes that the energy required for this is obtained from renewable sources. A closer look reveals additional challenges, such as the far too low energy density of electrical storage media, their inadequate feed-in and feed-out efficiency, as well as the environmental impact of their production, recycling and disposal, which has received little attention to date and is exacerbated by their short service life. To date, the costs of electrification or hybridization have also been disproportionate to the environmental benefits achieved. However, as the world of work today requires a high degree of mobility, mobility must remain affordable. Until these problems are solved, hydrocarbon-based liquid fuels with fairly good efficiency and acceptable environmental compatibility should be used in internal combustion engines.
The work plan for this project includes an in-depth investigation of the topics of high-pressure injection of diesel fuel, turbocharging to reduce emissions and increase performance, and exhaust gas recirculation to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The injection processes using modern injectors are to be further improved in order to safely meet the next EU7 emissions legislation without driving up fuel consumption. In particular, the investigation of new nozzle technologies and new injection patterns (multiple injection and rate progression shaping) is expedient. The necessary control and regulation strategies must also be considered.
To this end, newly developed injection system components from the Continental Automotive GmbH production plant in Limbach-Oberfrohna are to be used. Various injector concepts from Continental will also be examined for this purpose.
The three-dimensional simulation of the diesel engine mixture formation and combustion process is used as a development tool for a comprehensive and fundamental assessment of the individual development steps. The development process is greatly improved by the knowledge gained in this way.

Cooperation partner

• Continental Automotive GmbH, - (Germany)

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