Environmentally friendly and affordable mobility - improving consumption and reducing pollutants

Project name

Environmentally friendly and affordable mobility - improving consumption and reducing pollutants

Project duration

01.01.2011 - 30.04.2014

Brief description

Environmental protection is an ongoing process whose rules are constantly being adapted to new requirements. The framework for these rules is set by many often contradictory boundary conditions. The research project proposed here deals with the need for mobility, which is at odds with the need for environmental protection. This is strongly illustrated by the current political debate. The demand for the electrification of road transport seems logical at first 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 so far received little attention 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.rnrnUntil these problems are solved, hydrocarbon-based liquid fuels with fairly good efficiency levels and acceptable environmental compatibility should be used in combustion engines. Their emissions are constantly being improved through the immense efforts of the automotive industry. The diesel engine in particular has an unrivaled level of efficiency, especially if the energy supply is included in the calculation (well-to-wheel efficiency).rnrnThe next stage of emissions legislation will further tighten the already very low values for EU6. A further halving of particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions is expected, as well as an extension of the emission limits to the entire engine map. In order to meet these requirements, further evolution of the systems that supply air and fuel to the engine and regulate combustion is required.rnrnThe proposed research project aims to define injection systems and work processes for energy-efficient and low-emission combustion processes. Two injector concepts are being pursued. On the one hand, the direct-actuated injector, which offers advantages in fuel metering and time-variable fuel injection, and on the other, the servo-hydraulic injector, whose latest generation combines cost advantages with improved technical properties. The market share of piezo common rail injection systems from Continental can thus be further expanded in various market segments. Prototype components from the Limbach-Oberfrohna production plant of Continental Automotive GmbH will be used for the planned investigations.rnrnThe work plan for this project also includes further investigation of the topics of exhaust gas recirculation combined with multiple injection. The three-dimensional simulation of the diesel engine mixture formation and combustion process is used as a development tool for a comprehensive, fundamental assessment of the individual development steps.

Cooperation partner

• Continental Automotive GmbH, - (Germany)

contact