The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected six cost-shared University Advanced Combustion and Emissions Controls research and development (R&D) project to provide totaling up to $13 million in DOE funding, subject to annual appropriations. The research projects will support the development of high efficiency internal combustion engines with the objectives of improving fuel economies by 20% to 40% in light-duty vehicles and achieving 55% brake thermal efficiency in heavy-duty engine systems.
Improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines is a cost-effective approach to increase vehicle fuel economy in the near- to mid-term.
The projects will focus on advanced combustion research in low-temperature combustion and lean-burn strategies, and in advanced modeling and control of vehicle emissions reduction (after treatment) devices.
The following projects were selected for award negotiation and will be cost shared at a minimum of 20%. The funding beyond 2009 is subject to annual appropriations.
Connecticut
The University of Connecticut has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to develop three-dimensional composite nano-structures for lean NOx emission control. The project will look at the synthesis, characterization, and modeling of a new class of vehicle emission control nano-catalysts based on a three-dimensional composite nano-architecture.
Michigan
Michigan Technological University has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to develop experimentally validated Diesel Particulate Filter and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) models that support future vehicle On-Board Diagnostics and advanced control systems.
The team members include Michigan Technological University (principle investigator), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Cummins Engine Company, John Deere Power Systems, Navistar International Corporation, Watlow, and Johnson Matthey.
The University of Michigan has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to investigate new high-pressure lean burn combustion that can allow future gasoline engines to achieve 20% to 40% improved fuel economy. The research in a combination of lean burn, high-pressure, unthrottled operation using a stratified, highly dilute combustion system is planned.
The team members include the University of Michigan (principal investigator), the University of California at Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Michigan State University has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to demonstrate a closed loop combustion controlled engine system with smooth combustion mode transition between spark-ignited and homogenous charged compression ignition operation. Michigan State is partnering with Chrysler LLC for this effort.
Texas
The University of Houston has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to develop coupled NOx storage and reduction, and SCR that enables a high conversion of NOx under the lean conditions typical to a diesel or lean burn gasoline engine.
The team members included in this project are the University of Houston (principal investigator), BASF, University of Kentucky, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Ford Motor Company.
Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to perform research and development on advanced combustion technologies, including Premixed Charge Compression Ignition with transition to advanced Compression Ignition Direct Injection strategies, including lifted flame operation. Additional work on advanced fueling strategies and system technologies to reduce exhaust after treatment requirements is also planned.
The team members include the University of Wisconsin (principal investigator), Caterpillar, Inc., Cummins Engine Company, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Consortium, General Motors Corporation, and Woodward.
Advancing vehicle technologies is a key part of DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program, which aims to develop vehicle technologies and clean, renewable fuels that could dramatically reduce the demand for petroleum, decrease emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, and allow the US transportation industry to sustain a strong, competitive position in domestic and world markets.