Combustion for low emissions
The introduction of very stringent emission standards for heavy-duty diesel engine in Europe has led to the development of numerous technical developments in order to comply with exhaust regulations. Special efforts to reducing pollution have been directed towards the improvement of combustion of medium-heavy duty diesel engines. The CRICE project (Common rail based improved combustion for low emissions) has explored the potential of improved combustion versus very low emissions and limited fuel consumption penalties. Its primary target was to reach EURO IV emission levels and furthermore to form a basis for EURO V. The optimisation of combustion is based on an innovative amplifier pistons common rail injection system. The activities of the project were based on the injection system design seeking techniques to achieve substantial reductions in exhaust emissions without having to compromise the level of fuel consumption performance. To this end, test methodologies, spray studies on rig, combustion parametric tests and thermodynamic tests on single - cylinder engines have been carried out. In this direction, a single-cylinder and a test rig have been built up in order to facilitate combustion and spray formation studies. The results of the research activities offer new possibilities and know-how in the field of combustion studies and spray investigations. The build up of the rig and single-cylinder engines, as well as the calculations and control strategies development can form the basis for the development of the multi-cylinder engine. Further research and information exchange is now invited in order to extend the acquired knowledge, which with the integration of after-treatment methods may result in a winning synergy.
