Articles tagged with Diesel Engines
Southwest Research Institute uses machine learning to automate calibration of heavy-duty diesel truck emissions control systems, cutting calibration time from weeks to hours. The new method improves system performance while ensuring compliance with upcoming standards.
A new study finds that battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) have improved significantly in reliability over the years, matching the lifespans of traditional cars and vans with internal combustion engines. BEVs now have an average lifespan of 18.4 years and can travel up to 124,000 miles.
A UCF researcher is working with PACCAR to create a hydrogen-based combustion engine for heavy-duty vehicles, aiming to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The project aims to develop a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel, which is currently the dominant choice for commercial vehicles.
The Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies project aims to develop innovative clean solutions for maritime transport and off-road machinery, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 100% through the use of zero- and low-carbon fuels. The consortium brings together key players in Finland and international partners to shape the future ...
Burning ammonia for maritime fuel could worsen air quality and lead to devastating public health impacts, even with cleaner engine technology and green production methods. The study suggests that stronger regulations could reduce premature deaths from 600,000 to 66,000 annually
Researchers at Sophia University have optimized air–fuel mixing conditions for efficient ammonia combustion in engines, bringing us closer to viable ammonia-fueled vehicles. Swirling flow patterns promote better air and fuel mixing, leading to improved combustion and reduced emissions.
A study by the University of Malaga and the Future Power Systems Group of the University of Birmingham found that oxygenated biofuels blended with diesel can reduce soot emissions by over 90%. The research uses bio-alcohols and bio-ketones, which are produced from low-carbon biomass residues, to achieve this reduction.
A new study reveals that exposure to ultrafine particles from traffic alters the expression of many genes in human olfactory mucosa cells. The study found that different fuels and engines cause distinct effects on cell function, with renewable diesel causing less adverse effects than fossil diesel.
A new study by the University of Eastern Finland found that preheating a vehicle has minimal effects on both fuel economy and emissions under cold winter conditions. While preheating showed some benefits in terms of engine comfort and wear reduction, its impact on overall fuel consumption was only slightly lower than after a cold start.
Researchers have developed a single-atom catalyst that efficiently removes methane from engine exhaust at low temperatures, even when the engine is starting. The catalyst uses every atom of precious metals and maintains reaction stability at higher temperatures.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology show that electrifying heavy goods vehicles can be profitable, even for long-distance trips. The study compared two battery sizes and fast charging prices, concluding that electricity is a cheaper alternative to diesel in many cases.
A team of paleontologists used the history of steam engines to test competitive exclusion theory, finding limited evidence supporting its role in extinction. The researchers analyzed data on tractive effort, revealing that newer engines generated more power, making steam locomotives less efficient and eventually obsolete.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have identified promising new biofuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60% while improving fuel efficiency or reducing tailpipe emissions. The biofuels, developed using advanced engine design, can be blended with conventional fuels to improve engine performance and meet more ...
Researchers at KAUST developed a new exhaust catalyst concept that can effectively remove NOx from vehicle emissions, resolving an ongoing debate over additive atoms in the catalyst mix. The team identified the ideal atomic recipe to catalytically remove NOx from diesel car tailpipes.
Researchers discovered that particulate emissions from auxiliary heaters can be significantly higher than those of idling gasoline vehicles, raising concerns about their environmental impact. The study highlights the need for further research on the use and development of heaters to reduce emissions.
Hailin Li, a WVU engineer, will lead a project to develop a software platform that simulates heavy-duty diesel engines with advanced after-treatment systems. The goal is to improve engine efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions, which will help cut greenhouse gases and pollutants from the transportation sector.
A new analysis found that California's stringent diesel emissions standards have lowered the expected number of deaths linked to diesel exhaust by 50%. The study also suggests that adopting similar rules nationwide could produce similar benefits, particularly for communities that have suffered the worst impacts of air pollution.
Colorado State University researchers have received a $3.5 million US Department of Energy grant to develop advanced combustion strategies for direct-injection large propane engines. The project aims to improve the energy efficiency of propane engines, making it a more viable alternative to diesel.
A study by the University of York and Empa shows that retrofitting VW diesel engines with software or hardware updates reduced harmful nitrogen oxides emissions by up to a third. The retrofitting was successful from an environmental point of view, with passenger cars showing significant improvements.
A new tool connects environmental impact of shipping industry to geography, economics and policy choices. Policies such as carbon tax, maintenance regulations and compact urban development could save up to 4,000 lives per year by reducing warming contributions.
Researchers at MIT have devised a plug-in hybrid engine system that could power long-haul trucks with electric motors combined with gas-alcohol engines, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The flex-fuel hybrid option overcomes concerns about limited range and cost, allowing for early entry into the marketplace.
Researchers have investigated the emissions of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines and found that they produce genotoxic exhaust gases, which can increase carcinogenic potential up to 17 times higher than diesel vehicles. Retrofitting GDI engines with particle filters could improve their emission behavior.
A KAUST study investigated the ignition of methanol-based fuel formulations and found that blending dimethyl ether (DME) with methanol improves combustion efficiency. The researchers also discovered that DME dominates reaction pathways during initial phase of ignition, but can be less effective at high temperatures.
Researchers create a blend of essential oil and diesel to reduce emissions by 10%, while increasing fuel consumption slightly. The study found that the combination could be used in agricultural vehicles, potentially replacing all-diesel fuels.
A team of researchers from Colorado State University's Energy Institute has received a $1.2 million grant to study the efficiency of natural gas engines, aiming to make them as efficient as diesel engines. The research could lead to cost savings and improved air quality, with potential benefits for commercial vehicles.
Researchers discovered novel behavior of cool flames in diesel combustion, accelerating ignition kernel formation and improving engine design efficiency. The study used Direct Numerical Simulations to resolve all turbulence scales and has the potential to optimize engine design for cleaner burning engines.
Researchers have developed a catalytic process that can effectively reduce nitrogen oxides emissions from diesel-powered vehicles, particularly during transient and cold-start conditions. The breakthrough could pave the way for more efficient NOx removal technologies, enabling diesel engines to meet stringent emissions regulations.
A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) project developed an innovative hybrid-electric powertrain for road sweepers, reducing energy consumption by 45% compared to diesel-powered vehicles. The new system also decreases CO2 emissions by 60%, thanks to natural gas's lower carbon content.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released an updated compendium of experimental cetane numbers, which provides vital information for the development of new, low-carbon fuels and compatible engines. The update includes additional measurements on a larger number of compounds, along with data quality assessments.
Researchers are developing Camelina sativa as a biodiesel crop for the Great Plains, which can grow on poor-quality farmland and requires little irrigation and fertilizer. By altering the plant's biochemistry, they aim to create low-viscosity oil that can be used directly in diesel engines.
Researchers investigate toxicology of alternate fuels, finding emissions from biodiesel vehicles are less mutagenic than petroleum-based diesel. The symposium also discusses human health effects of biofuels and engine changes with changing fuels.
A new strategy known as "low-temperature combustion" (LTC) might lead to broader use of cleaner diesel engines in the US. LTC reduces NOx and smoke emissions by recirculating exhaust gases and spraying fuel earlier in the engine cycle.
Researchers at UT Dallas have identified a material called mullite that can reduce pollution produced by diesel engines by up to 45% compared to platinum catalysts. The discovery opens new possibilities for creating renewable, clean energy technology without relying on precious metals.
André Boehman, professor of fuel science at Penn State, will receive the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers' John Johnson Award. He co-authored a paper on increased NOx emissions from fueling heavy-duty compression-ignition engines with soy biodiesel.
A new institute will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving combustion efficiency in marine diesel engines, which emit significant pollutants. The research aims to produce lab-scale prototype technology that can be scaled up for testing in full-size engines.
This study investigates the effects of low sulfur diesel fuel on ultrafine particle emissions from a compression-ignition engine. The results show that the fuel reduces both mass concentration and number concentration of particles, which can help mitigate respiratory problems. The composition of nanoparticles emitted from ordinary dies...
A diesel engine can be programmed to blend gasoline-diesel fuels in real-time, resulting in a 53% thermal efficiency. This technique reduces combustion temperatures, lowers energy loss, and decreases pollutant emissions.
Researchers at the University of Houston's Texas Diesel Testing and Research Center will test a system designed to reduce emissions produced by construction vehicles, including Nett Technologies' BlueMAX selective catalytic reduction system. The team aims to provide real-world performance data for the EPA.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on various combustion projects to improve engine performance. They aim to reduce emissions and increase efficiency by developing new technologies, such as diesel engines and computer models of gasoline engines.
Researchers used Laser Induced Incandescence to investigate optimal engine conditions that reduce soot emission. Measurements revealed that neither engine load nor fuel injection system affected primary particle size, but other settings can improve combustion.
A small study found that diesel exhaust increases clot formation and blood platelet activity in healthy volunteers, which could lead to heart attack and stroke. Researchers measured clot formation, coagulation, and inflammatory markers after exposure to diluted diesel exhaust.
The new engine technology can improve fuel economy by several miles per gallon, cutting oil demand in the US by a million barrels a day. The mode-switching capability could appear in production models within a few years.
Researchers have developed a new type of NOx Storage Reduction (NSR) catalytic converter that alternates between lean-burn conditions to reduce emissions and fuel-rich periods for regeneration. This technology has yielded important insights into the function of various components in the catalytic converter.
Researchers have discovered a super sulfur soaker material, cryptomelane, that can capture high amounts of sulfur dioxide. The material maintains its capacity even under extreme conditions and can protect nitrogen oxides traps from degradation.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a 3D map of diesel particles, revealing their varying shapes depending on engine speed and load. The findings provide clues to designing cleaner engines, with potential applications for reducing emissions and mitigating health problems.
Developed at Argonne National Laboratory, the new catalyst is one of a family of related catalysts that also shows promise for reducing NOx emissions. It converts NOx into nitrogen, making it a safer and more energy-efficient alternative to current standards.
Researchers at MIT developed a device that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90% and halves the fuel needed for removal. The plasmatron reformer could lead to increased gasoline engine efficiency and significant oil consumption savings.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that adding as little as 10% vegetable oil to diesel fuel reduces friction and wear, achieving similar performance to high-sulfur diesel. The team's tests also showed that oxygen-treated vegetable oil mixtures can meet current emission regulations with minimal oil usage.
Researchers at Penn State investigated alternative diesel fuel DME, which burns smokeless and produces fewer particulates. The team found that DME can mix completely with diesel fuel but its viscosity may be a key property in developing these fuels.
Computer models at UW-Madison use genetic algorithms to optimize engine performance, increasing fuel efficiency while reducing pollution. The results demonstrate significant improvements in nitric oxide and soot emissions, as well as a 15% reduction in fuel consumption.
A new auto device called plasmatron cuts pollution drastically in all kinds of vehicles, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. The device is fully compatible with present engine technology and could offer many benefits envisioned for alternative vehicles sooner and at lower cost.
The MIT plasmatron device has been successfully installed in a commercial car engine, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by two orders of magnitude. The next step is to integrate the system into an actual vehicle, with the team aiming to install it on a bus within a year.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that dimethyl ether (DME) produced from coal-derived syngas has lower carbon monoxide emissions compared to propane or butane. DME also exhibits similar or lower nitric oxide emissions in most cases, making it a viable alternative fuel.
A University of Kansas researcher has successfully demonstrated a method to convert grass, stalks, and farm byproducts into sugar for use as a primary component in fuel for diesel engines. The alternative fuel mixture is estimated to cost less than traditional diesel fuel and has already been tested in conventional diesel engines.