Ultra Efficient Engines and Fuels

9f3d2af2-f3d6-4d33-885d-40fe34a462fb

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EPSRC
EPSRC
EPSRC
EPSRC
EPSRC

£14,998,025

Feb. 1, 2015

July 31, 2018

This research seeks to address the knowledge gap with the internal combustion engine (ICE) and answer the question 'how far can you go?'. The research considers methods for reducing fuel consumption of the ICE from two directions: first by improving in-cylinder combustion processes and second through the use of designed fuels from sustainable sources, with the fuel chemistry matched to advanced high efficiency combustion systems. Three novel ICE concepts, aimed at achieving a step improvement of 20-33% reduction in fuel consumption from ICEs at near zero emissions will be investigated, with holistic integration of energy recovery (WP1). The concepts investigated are applicable to commercial vehicles, passenger cars and as electric vehicle range extenders. Novel designed fuels, will be investigated in WP2, including how the fuel molecule can be tailored to improve the ignition and combustion characteristics of the fuel in a novel ICE combustion system. The spray and ignition processes of the new fuels will be characterised through the application of optical diagnostic techniques. WP3 covers the simulation of the ICE combustion concepts and evaluation of current state of the art modelling methods when applied to such combustion systems and designed fuels, with potentially very different fluid characteristics to conventional diesel and petrol. Novel optical diagnostic techniques, including two line Planer Induced Fluorescence to track the vapour concentration and laser induced thermal grating spectroscopy to measure vapour temperature will be developed in WP4 and applied to the research in WP1 and WP2, providing validation for the modelling in WP3.

Potential Impact:
The potential long term impact of this research is a cost effective reduction in CO2 emissions from the transportation sector through breakthroughs in combustion and fuel formulation, providing societal and economic benefit. In the medium term, improved ICE efficiency will reduce CO2 emissions from legacy fuels derived primarily from non-renewable sources. In the longer term, higher ICE efficiencies will reduce the transport sector's overall fuel demand, thereby reducing the land-use and renewable energy requirements associated with the production of next-generation bio fuels and synthetic fuels. Industry and policy makers will benefit from a clearer picture of the long term future of the ICE in a low carbon economy, promoting evidence based decision-making on policy and R&D and manufacturing infrastructure investment.
The UK has a vibrant ICE manufacturing base that earns significant export revenue. The project will support the UK's ICE manufacturing industry, in particular through our partners JLR, Ricardo and Delphi, thereby providing economic benefit to the UK economy. The consideration of designed fuels is a significant opportunity for the UK's energy companies, such as our project partner, BP, to develop new sustainable fuel products supporting their businesses transitioning into a low carbon economy.
The project will help develop the next generation of researchers in this important field. A significant number of researchers will be involved who are at an early stage of their careers (7 RAs, 4 PhDs). The highly collaborative nature of this project gives these individuals an excellent opportunity to develop their research careers either towards an academic path or into industry

The project will also deliver a unique data set of optical measurements on novel combustion systems and designed fuels. This data is highly valuable to simulation code developers, both in the academic and industrial communities. The project will make much of this data 'open access', significantly enhancing the value of the data to these groups, accelerating research and commercial development in this area.
Finally, the project will leave a significant equipment legacy in terms of the engines at Brighton and at Brunel and optical equipment at Oxford and Brunel. It is the intention of the partners to build a lasting partnership in ICE combustion and fuels research to continue exploiting these world leading facilities and provide ongoing support to the UK's OEMs, tier 1 and 2 suppliers and energy companies beyond the life of the project. The potential for a joint research centre and doctoral training centre, linking with the new Advanced Propulsion Centre, will be investigated.