Recent forecasts about powertrain demonstrated the “still” prevalence of IC thermal engines vs EV and HEV and FC vehicles. With the introduction of new emissions and CO2 reduction targets by EU, Year 2020 is considered for the whole transportation sector as the first step along a very critical technological path to reduce CO2 emissions by 37.5% at 2030 horizon.
For now more than 10 years the possibility given by the co-optimization of thermal engine parameters according to the fuels quality is considered as one of the most promising path to achieve carbon footprint reduction target in combination with powertrain electrification and engine downsizing. BtL fuels are already produced in high volume and the up-coming of PtL « electro » fuels are widely pushed by European directives.
The consequence will be that on-board fuel sensors will become mandatory to discriminate the type and the rate of renewable fuels for tuning thermal engine settings and parameters in real time. Sensor output information can be shared using secured platform with regulation authorities allowing to use the sensor as a way to certify CO2 saved.
SP3H has developed the new generation of the on board microNIR sensor (fuelbox), designed for large volume production of automotive and trucks manufacturers.
The fuel sensor is based on Near infrared technology (NIR). The NIR spectrum is considered as the DNA or the fuel fingerprint. NIR spectroscopy is very well adapted to detect the molecular structure of any organic compounds based on Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms which cover 99.9% of the fuel composition.
By using our MicroIR sensor for fuel detection for combustion control, it is possible to co-optimize the engine accordingly and reduce drastically CO2 emissions. One of the ‘cost effective’ path is to rethink Engine & Fuel as a single and holistic system and propose an integrated approach to improve vehicle efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and help to capture more CO2 reduction.
A dedicated on-board Fuel Quality Sensor is offering a real potential to drastically reduce fuel consumption and capture an extra reduction of CO2. It gives new information which can become “mandatory” by the regulation authorities for CO2 tax credit recovery for a dynamic and real time control of ICE, according to the fuel quality (gasoline or diesel) including the type and the content of biofuels in the tank. Co-optimisation of Engine/fuel improves direct CO2 emissions and reduces fuel consumption accordingly, in line with objectives of EU members as signed during Paris COP21 climate conference.
One of the most “cost effective” ways to reduce in a short term GHG is to promote new generation of synthetic ‘drop in Fuels’ Fuels. Renewable biofuels like HVO, BtL or Electro fuel (PtL) will contribute significantly to the reductions in GHG emissions for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including positive impact on local and circular economy (used oil from food and Industry and organic waste recycling).On the 3rd of October 2018, EU lawmakers back 40 percent CO2 cut for cars, vans by 2030 and 2 weeks later, the 18th of October; same EU lawmakers back 35% CO2 cut for trucks by 2030.
