Browse Topic: Fuels and Energy Sources

Items (36,991)

Application of Sustainable Aviation Fuels in Compression-Ignition Aviation Engines: In-Flight Investigations

2025-01-0317To be published on 07/02/2025

To achieve a significant reduction in net CO₂ emissions in the aviation sector, sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are considered a key factor. Current research efforts are therefore focused on SAFs, which exhibit properties that differ from conventional kerosene, particularly in aspects critical to compression-ignition (CI) engines, such as cetane number, evaporation behavior or lubricity. These differences necessitate dedicated investigations to assess their suitability and performance in such engines. However, real operating conditions — such as intake air- and exhaust- pressure levels during flight — cannot be fully replicated on standard engine test benches. For this reason, real flight experiments were conducted to address these limitations. Notably, this work marks the first instance of in-flight testing of SAFs in CI aviation engines, constituting a significant milestone in this research area. In the course of these investigations, ASTM D7566 Annex A2-compliant HEFA

Kleissner, Florian, Reitmayr, Christian, Hofmann, Peter

Optimized Cabin Heating Strategy for Battery Electric CEP Vehicles

2025-01-0263To be published on 07/02/2025

Electromobility is gaining importance in the courier, express and parcel (CEP) sector, as parcel service providers increasingly rely on zero-emission vehicles to improve their CO₂ footprint. A common drawback of battery electric vehicles is their reduced range under cold operating conditions, due to the increased energy demand for cabin heating. Another CEP-specific factor influencing both energy consumption and cabin comfort is the frequent opening of doors during parcel delivery. Additionally, during delivery phases, the cabin cools down in the driver’s repeated absence from the cabin, as the heating is inactive. Nonetheless, a sufficient level of thermal comfort must be maintained during the driving phases between delivery stops. This paper presents an optimization-based strategy for the cabin heating of battery electric CEP vehicles. The objective is to maximize cabin comfort during driving phases while maintaining efficient energy consumption. For this purpose, a nonlinear model

Rehm, Dominik, Krost, Jonathan, Meywerk, Martin, Czarnetzki, Walter

Investigation on Thermal Management of Heavy-Duty Commercial FCEV with Focus on Vehicle System Efficiency

2025-01-0265To be published on 07/02/2025

The primary approach to meet the objectives of the EU Heavy Duty CO2 Regulation involves decarbonizing the road transport sector by battery electric vehicles (BEV) or hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Even though the well-to-wheel efficiency of hydrogen-fueled powertrains like fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and H2-internal combustion engines (H2-ICE) is much lower in comparison to BEV, they are better suited for on-road heavy-duty trucks, long haul transport missions and regions with scarce charging infrastructure. Hence, this paper focuses on heavy-duty FCEVs and their overall energetic efficiency enhancement by intelligently managing energy transfer across coolant circuit boundaries through waste heat recovery, while ensuring that all relevant components remain within required temperature boundaries under both cold and hot ambient conditions. Results were obtained using a 1D-model that comprises all thermal fluid circuits (refrigerant, coolant, air) created through GT-Suite software

Uhde, Sophia, Langhorst, Thorsten, Wuest, Marcel, Naber, Dirk

A New Electrified Planetary Gear Set - The Cost- and Fuel-Efficient Alternative to Continuously Variable Transmissions

2025-01-0309To be published on 07/02/2025

In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, the global transport sector, one of the largest emitters of CO2, needs to drastically reduce its emissions. Although hybridization and electrification are becoming increasingly popular as a solution for a variety of applications, their use in two- and three-wheelers, as well as in recreational and powersports vehicles, remains limited due to their high costs and complexity compared to conventional drivetrains with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). Despite their affordability and simplicity, CVTs suffer from low mechanical efficiency, with transmission losses ranging from 20–50 %, highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement. In response to these limitations, this study presents the development and experimental evaluation of an electrified planetary gear set (ePGS) in a lightweight off-road vehicle. It is designed to overcome the efficiency limitations of CVTs while maintaining high driving comfort and low system

Jakoby, Moritz, Engels, Michael, Fahrbach, Timm, Andert, Jakob

Applying Real World Traffic Data on Machine Learning Methods for Graph Based Cooperation Strategies of Automated Vehicles

2025-01-0286To be published on 07/02/2025

With the increasing distribution of smart mobility systems, automated & connected vehicles are more and more interacting with each other and with smart infrastructure using V2X-communication. Hereby, the vehicles' position, driving dynamics data, or driving intention are exchanged. Previous research has explored graph-based cooperation strategies for automated vehicles in mixed traffic environments based on current V2X-communication standards. Thereby, the focus is set on cooperation optimization and maneuver negotiation. These strategies can be implemented through both centralized and decentralized computational approaches and are conflict-free by design. To enhance these previously established cooperation models, real-world traffic data is used to derive vehicle trajectories, providing a more accurate representation of actual traffic scenarios in order to enhance the practical application of the described methodology. Additionally, machine learning algorithms are employed to train

Flormann, Maximilian, Meyer, Felix, Henze, Roman

Effect of Gasoline Component on Fuel Economy of WLTC Drive with EGR and Lean Combustion

2025-01-0305To be published on 07/02/2025

It is becoming increasingly clear that research into alternative fuels, including drop-in fuels, is essential for the continued survival of the internal combustion engine. In this study, the authors have evaluated olefinic and oxygenated fuels as drop-in fuels using a single-cylinder engine and considering fuel characteristic parameters. The authors have assessed thermal efficiency by adding the EGR or air from 0 to the maximum value that allows stable combustion. Next, we attempted to predict fuel efficiency for four types of passenger cars (Japanese small K-car N/A, K-car T/C, Series-HV, and Power-split-HV) by changing the fuels. We created a model in OpenModelica to estimate fuel efficiency during WLTC driving. The results indicated that fuel economy could potentially be improved by adding an olefin fuel that burns stably even with a large amount of EGR or air and an oxygen fuel whose octane number increases. It was observed that the fuel economy improvement rate was particularly

Moriyoshi, Yasuo, Xu, Fuguo, Wang, Zhiyuan, Tanaka, Kotaro, Kuboyama, Tatsuya

Modular Thermal Management Framework for Electric Drive System Development

2025-01-0262To be published on 07/02/2025

The automotive industry is undergoing a major shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to hybrid (HEV) and battery-electric vehicles (BEV), which has led to significant advancements and increased complexity in drivetrain design and thermal management systems. This complexity reflects the growing need to optimize energy efficiency, extend vehicle range, and ensure system reliability in modern electric vehicles. At the Institute of Automotive Engineering, a specialized synthesis tool for drivetrain optimization is used to identify the best drivetrain configurations based on specific boundaries and requirements. Building up on this toolchain a modular and adaptable thermal management framework has been developed, addressing another critical aspect of vehicle and drive development: efficient thermal circuit layout and its impact on energy consumption and overall system reliability. The thermal framework emphasizes the dynamic interactions between key components, such as electric

Notz, Fabian, Sturm, Axel, Sander, Marcel, Kässens, Christoph, Henze, Roman

In-Depth Experimental Investigation into Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Light-Duty Engine Fuelled with Pure Hydrogen

2025-01-0314To be published on 07/02/2025

Transitioning to zero-carbon fuels is pivotal for expediting the reduction of carbon emissions. Hydrogen demonstrates significant adaptability and emerges as a principal zero-carbon alternative fuel for carbon-based internal combustion engine (ICE) platforms. Implementing hydrogen in both spark ignition (SI) and compression ignition (CI) engines has proven to be both economically viable and timely; nevertheless, it presents several technical challenges that must be addressed. The study analyses the performance and emissions of a single-cylinder boat engine converted from diesel to 100% hydrogen. A port fuel injection (PFI) system was adopted to operate the engine with hydrogen by replacing the diesel injector with a spark plug engine without any modification to the cylinder head. The engine features an automated shutdown system to mitigate intake backfire risks associated with hydrogen PFI systems. A comprehensive engine characterization was conducted at a wide range of relative air-to

Mohamed, Mohamed, Zaman, Zayne, Lu, Enshen, Feng, Yizhuo, Wang, Xinyan, Zhao, Hua

Life-Cycle Assessment of a Composite vs. a Metallic Bipolar Plate for Fuel Cell Applications: More Sustainable while Maintaining Same Performance Standards?

2025-01-0298To be published on 07/02/2025

Faced with one of the greatest challenges of humanity – climate change – the European Union has set out a strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which among other aspects identifies climate change effects, is an important tool to assess the environmental characteristic of sustainable technologies or products to fulfill this ambitious target. In this context, research is presented that examines the ecological sustainability impacts of a metallic vs a composite bipolar plate made of innovative graphite-compound based foils for fuel cell applications. A bipolar plate is a central component of the fuel cell stack to ensure efficiency and durability. For this purpose, a LCA is performed for both bipolar plate materials. This assessment follows the methodology of DIN EN ISO 14040/44 and the EU Product Environmental Footprint framework. Focusing on cradle-to-gate system boundary conditions, the research emphasizes the

van Sloun, Andreas, Schroeder, Benedikt, Kexel, Jannik, Schmitz, Maximilian, Balazs, Andreas, Walters, Marius, Koßler, Silas, Pischinger, Stefan, Joemann, Michael

Method for externally controlled availability of lubricating oil in internal combustion engines.

2025-01-0302To be published on 07/02/2025

Reduced emissions in internal combustion engines (ICE) are a key component in reaching green-house-gas and pollutive emissions regulations. With increased effort, clean and efficient burning combustion cycles are being developed. With the need of even more efficient engines the friction of ICE engines plays an increasing role in engine efficiency. Also, ingress of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber is a source of particle emissions. Increased optimization to reduce parasitic drag in the piston assembly such as reduced ring pre-tension ore thinner grade oils further increase oil ingress into the combustion chamber with the result of increased particle emissions. The transport mechanisms of oil ingress into the combustion chamber therefore the topic of current research. Specially developed research engines with a vertical optical window have big potentials to visualize phenomena of the oil behavior inside the piston assembly in internal combustion engines. Therefore, these

Stark, Michael, Fellner, Felix, Härtl, Martin, Jaensch, Malte

Experimental Evaluation of Purge Strategies in the Recirculation Path of a PEM Fuel Cell System

2025-01-0316To be published on 07/02/2025

PEM fuel cell technology plays a vital role in realizing an emission-free mobility and, depend-ing on the considered use case, offers significant advantages over battery electric solutions as well as hydrogen combustion engines. When high performance over a longer period of time as well as short refuelling times are key requirements, fuel cell powertrains show their core strengths. However, the adaption of fuel cells in the mobility sector strongly depends on their efficiency which directly relates to the vehicle’s fuel consumption, range and ultimately cost to operate. Therefore, the influence on efficiency and power of different purge strategies used to operate PEM fuel cells is experimentally investigated and compared. A concentration-dependant purge strategy is developed and examined in reference to a charge-dependant strategy. The concentration-dependent purge strategy manages the purge process based on the measured hydrogen concentration in the anode recirculation path. The

Hauser, Tobias, Allmendinger, Frank

Simulation-Based Investigation and its Experimental Validation of the Thermal Behaviour of a Battery Electric City Bus

2025-01-0266To be published on 07/02/2025

Electrification of city busses is an important factor for decarbonisation of the public transport sector. Due to its strictly scheduled routes and regular idle times, the public transport sector is an ideal use case for battery electric vehicles (BEV). In this context, the thermal management has a high potential to decrease the energy demand or to increase the vehicles range. The thermal management of an electric city bus controls the thermal behaviour of the components of the powertrain, such as motor and inverters, as well as the conditioning of the battery system and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) of the drivers’ front box and the passenger room. The focus of the research is the modelling of the thermal behaviour of the important components of an electric city bus in MATLAB/Simscape including real-world driving cycles and the thermal management. The heating of the components, geometry and behaviour of the cooling circuits as well as the different mechanisms of

Schäfer, Henrik, Meywerk, Martin, Hellberg, Tobias

Improving Speed Trajectory Optimization for Electric Vehicles with Pre-Calculated Energy Maps and Dynamic Profile Discretization

2025-01-0318To be published on 07/02/2025

Ongoing research and development in the field of electric vehicles (EVs) have resulted in a continuous expansion of their range. Additionally, advancements in vehicle connectivity have created new opportunities for intelligent driving assistance and energy optimization, particularly through the use of cloud data. However, the integration of eco-driving assistance with numerical optimization of speed trajectories remains challenging due to the high computational demands of these methods. To address this challenge and make such a system feasible for integration into vehicle systems, the computational effort required for an optimized driving trajectory must be minimized. This paper presents a method to accelerate speed trajectory optimization using pre-calculated energy and time consumption maps. For this purpose, a dynamic discretization of the anticipated driving profile is applied. Initial results show a substantial reduction in computation time, varying with different scenarios

Schilling Johnson, Rene, Henke PhD, Markus

Effect of Ignition Condition and Fuel Octane Number on Knock Intensity in a Small 2-Stroke Engine

2025-01-0211To be published on 06/16/2025

The internal combustion engines are widely used on automotive transportation for its high energy storage system efficiency and economic benefits. The 4-stroke engine has dominated all other forms to date, because the Otto cycle is simpler to comprehend. However, the significant benefits such as, less pumping work and friction, lighter construction of 2-stroke engine, helped with applications which appreciate the simplicity and power density as well as meet the emission regulations. The disadvantages of the 2-stroke engine mainly caused by the lack of sufficient scavenging process, which limited its trapping efficiency. Also, the overlap of the intake and exhaust phases results in charge short-circuiting, more fuel consumption and high unburned hydrocarbon emissions. For the reason above, it is difficult for 2-stroke engines to realize stoichiometric combustion and unable to use three-way catalyst to control emissions. The residual exhaust gas in the cylinder makes the spark ignition

Liu, Jinru, Yamazaki, Yoshiaki, Otaki, Yusuke, Kato, Hayato, Yokota, Takumi, Iijima, Akira

3D-printed porous media combined with biomimetic distributor for small-scale polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

2025-01-0196To be published on 06/16/2025

This study presents a novel biomimetic flow-field concept that integrates a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) porous architecture with a hierarchical leaf-vein-inspired distribution zone, fabricated through 3D printing. By mimicking natural transport systems, the proposed design enhances oxygen delivery and water removal in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The results showed that I-FF and G-FF significantly improved mass transport and water management compared to conventional CPFF. The integrated design I-FF-LDZ achieves up to 32% improvement in power density at 1.85 A/〖cm〗^2@0.4 V and delays the onset of mass transport losses. The study also reveals that optimizing the volume fraction V_f significantly affects gas penetration, with lower V_f (30%) improving performance in the mass-limited region. These findings underscore the promise of nature-inspired, 3D-printed flow-field architectures in overcoming key transport limitations and advancing the scalability of next

Ho, Phuc Van, Lim, Ocktaeck

Techno-Economic Analysis of an Integrated E-Methanol Production Plant Utilizing First and Second Generation Biomass Resources

2025-01-0182To be published on 06/16/2025

Building upon foundational research utilizing Aspen Plus modeling for e-methanol production from sugar cane and sugar beet biomass, this study advances by incorporating a comprehensive techno-economic assessment (TEA) of an integrated e-methanol production system. The established integrated system converts biomass into ethanol through fermentation and synthesizes e-methanol using both captured CO2 and syngas derived from biomass residue gasification. The approach optimizes dual utilization of CO2 and biomass thereby fostering a circular carbon economy. The TEA quantifies capital expenditures (CAPEX), operational expenditures (OPEX), and levelized costs of energy (LCOE), providing a detailed economic analysis of the potential for commercializing e-methanol. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the impact of variable factors such as feedstock prices, process yields, and energy costs on the economic outcomes. This sensitivity analysis is crucial for understanding

Fernandes, Renston Jake, Shakeel, Mohammad Raghib, Nguyen, Ducduy, Im, Hong G., Turner, James W.G.

Decarbonisation of GDI Engines Utilising On-board Hydrogen Production in an Improved Design Thermochemical Exhaust Assisted Fuel Reformer

2025-01-0186To be published on 06/16/2025

Engine intake charge enrichment with hydrogen (H2) is one way to enhance engine thermal efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions while replacing carbon-based fuel. Waste energy from hot exhaust gas can be thermochemically recovered as hydrogen in catalytic exhaust gas fuel reforming, which can then be used in combustion. This study focuses on tailoring the design of the fuel reformer, including the catalyst chemistry and coating on ceramic and metallic structures, to benefit the whole system’s fuel economy and reduce engine out emissions. The main reformer improvements focused on exhaust flow management and interaction with the engine's after-treatment system, while the final stage focused on the reformer's internal design structure. The new design iteration enabled hydrogen production improvements in the range of 78% to 86% in the critical exhaust gas temperature range of 410 oC to 520 oC with gas hourly space velocities (h-1) in highly demanding engine operating conditions ranging

Lee, Seung Woo, Wahbi, Ammar, Herreros, Jose, Zeraati Rezaei, Soheil, Tsolakis, Athanasios, Millington, Paul

Influence of Fuel Surface Tension and Viscosity on Internal Flow Bubble Formation and Atomization in Flash Boiling Sprays

2025-01-0221To be published on 06/16/2025

Flash boiling spray can achieve atomization effects similar to high-pressure subcooled sprays at lower injection pressures, which reduces engine hardware costs and aligns with the trend toward increased efficiency and miniaturization for hybrid vehicle engines. Thus, it is considered a promising next-generation fuel atomization technology. The atomization characteristics and spray structure of flash boiling sprays differ significantly from those of subcooled sprays, with distinct mechanisms in the primary breakup stage being a major cause of these differences. Previous studies have established the bubble-rupture primary breakup model, which is closely linked to bubble generation during internal flow. However, existing research has primarily focused on controlling the superheat index and injection pressure, without sufficiently considering the impact of fuel properties on bubble generation. As carbon neutrality goals advance, alternative fuels such as e-fuels (e.g., e-gasoline), low

Zhang, Yijia, Li, Yilong, Wang, Shangning, Zeng, Tingxi, Xu, Min, Hung, David, Li, Xuesong

Overview of Indian Government Policies, Regulations and Automotive Company Strategies toward Net-zero Emissions

2025-01-0184To be published on 06/16/2025

The automotive sector in India is undergoing a transformation, driven by government policies and regulations aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions. In alignment with global climate goals, the Indian government has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on promoting Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs). Initiatives like the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme, along with tax incentives, subsidies, and charging infrastructure development, are designed to accelerate the adoption of cleaner vehicles. The introduction of stricter emission standards and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) further underscores the push toward sustainable mobility. In response, Indian automotive companies are shifting strategies to align with these government directives. Major players are significantly increasing investments in EV technology, focusing on enhancing battery performance

Patil, Nikhil Nivrutti, Saurabh, Saurabh, Bhardwaj, Rohit, Gawhade, Ravikant, Gadve, Dhananjay, Amancharla, Naga Chaithanya

Effects of Injection and Intake Timing on Atomization and Combustion in a Hybrid Gasoline Direct Injection Optical Engine under the Low-Speed Low-Load Condition

2025-01-0203To be published on 06/16/2025

With the growing trend of hybridization in modern engines, hybrid gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines are typically designed for high-load, mid-to-high-speed operation to achieve optimal fuel economy. However, these engines inevitably operate under low-speed, low-load conditions where insufficient intake air often leads to poor air-fuel mixing and weak turbulence, resulting in suboptimal combustion. Adjusting intake and injection timing presents a simple and effective approach to optimizing the combustion process in hybrid GDI engines. In this study, an optical engine with a combustion system geometry identical to that of an advanced hybrid GDI engine is used. The engine features a compression ratio of 15.0:1 and is equipped with a variable timing camshaft for intake timing control and an electronically controlled system for injection timing. High-speed color imaging, using transparent pistons and cylinder liners, captures the in-cylinder spray development and combustion processes

Cui, Mingli, Fu, Jinhong, Man, Xingjia, Nour, Mohamed, Zhang, Weixuan, Li, Xuesong, Xu, Min

Analysis of Diesel-Ethanol Blends: Impact on Spray Behavior and Combustion Properties under Various Injection Parameters in Compression Ignition Settings

2025-01-0208To be published on 06/16/2025

With rising fuel consumption across road transportation, there is growing interest in expanding the market share of renewable fuels, such as ethanol. Ethanol can be produced from raw materials from various starch-rich plants. In compression ignition engines, ethanol cannot be utilized on its own, largely due to its low cetane number. In this study, a constant volume combustion chamber (CVCC) is employed to investigate the effects of adding ethanol in diesel with different proportions (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% in volume) on the spray, combustion, and flame characteristics. Optical techniques, such as shadowgraph and flame self-illumination direct photography using high-speed imaging methods, were employed to reveal the spray and flame development process. This thesis examines the effects of varying fuel injection pressures (50, 80, and 110 MPa) and ambient pressures (1.5 and 3 MPa) on diesel-ethanol (DE) fuel blends. The study emphasizes the impact of DE blending ratios on the spray’s

Putra, I Komang Gede Tryas Agameru, Lim, Ocktaeck

CFD Study of Lubrication Pump Starvation Due to Oil Pan Sloshing

2025-01-0213To be published on 06/16/2025

Dynamic vehicle operation, such as acceleration, deceleration, and tilting, can cause severe oil sloshing in the engine oil pan. This can lead to oil starvation at the pickup tube, compromising lubrication pump performance, and potentially damaging engine components. This study presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) multiphase model of an engine oil pan and lubrication pump, simulated using Simerics-MP+. A series of numerical simulations were conducted at various pump speeds and extreme oil pan tilt angles. Time-dependent oil distributions were visualized, and real-time oil flow rates were monitored at the pickup tube to assess the impact of pump speed and pan position on oil starvation. This CFD model provides valuable insights into oil pan and pump behavior under extreme vehicle operation conditions, aiding in the design and optimization of lubrication systems to mitigate the risk of oil starvation and improve overall engine safety and performance.

Nan, Zhang, Shiyi, Pan, Jing, Liu, Mingliang, Liu, Wei, Wang

Higher Content n-Butanol Blending Ratios in Diesel Fuel Spray and Combustion Characteristics: Addressing Oxygenated Fuel Challenges with Spark-Assisted Combustion Strategies

2025-01-0210To be published on 06/16/2025

This study investigates the effects of oxygenated fuels, specifically long-chain alcohols, impact fuel atomization and combustion behavior in CI engines. The objective is to examine how higher n-butanol blending ratios in diesel fuel influence spray dynamics and combustion performance under varying engine conditions using an advanced combustion strategy. Experiments were conducted using a constant volume chamber (CVC) and a rapid compression-expansion machine (RCEM), both designed to replicate CI engine conditions. N-butanol was blended with diesel at ratios ranging from 70% to 90% with 10% increments, and key parameters such as spray formation, cone angle, penetration length, in-cylinder pressure, combustion performance, and efficiency were analyzed. The study also evaluated the effects of varying injection pressures on spray behavior. The results demonstrate that increasing n-butanol content significantly alters spray and combustion characteristics. Higher n-butanol proportions lead

Warsita, I Wayan, Lim, Ocktaeck

numerical investigation into the combustion and emission characteristics of ammonia direct injection mechanism

2025-01-0241To be published on 06/16/2025

Ammonia is an attractive option because of its relatively low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, high energy density, competitive cost, and ubiquitous infrastructure for manufacturing, storage, and distribution. In this work, the optimum combustion characteristics are investigated to propose an efficient ammonia engine for future investigation. The effects of ammonia addition on diesel combustion characteristics were numerically investigated in a CI engine. The investigation was conducted by structured 3D CFD modeling to analyze the combustion characteristics. The validation of the boundary condition was compared to the designed experimental ammonia engine. The direct injection timing of 10o-50oBTDC and injection pressure 300-800 bar was proposed to identify the optimum autoignition characteristics. The equivalence ratios 1, 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 were used in order to analyze the high cetane number characteristics and the air-fuel ratio.

Setiawan, Ardhika, Lim, Ocktaeck

Comparison of HRD and Petro Diesel in Industrial Engine Applications

2025-01-0243To be published on 06/16/2025

Renewable fuels are seen as a key enabler on the path to a lower carbon future. A low greenhouse gas fuel of particular interest is hydrotreated renewable diesel (HRD), also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). HRD is of interest because it is a drop-in replacement to existing petroleum fuels used in diesel engines. An experimental investigation was undertaken to evaluate combustion characteristics of HRD versus a standard petroleum diesel. The work was carried out using a 2.5-liter fully instrumented single-cylinder research engine. This engine was chosen because it provides a very precise view of the difference in combustion and emissions of the fuels. Results represent the difference in combustion characteristics of the fuels, rather than potential differences in engine performance seen in a production engine, as each particular engine model will react a bit differently to the changes in combustion. The engine was operated according to three ISO 8178-4 test cycles: C1, D2, and

Bardell, Michael, Abi-Akar, Hind, Seiler, Patrick, Nash, Brady, McMahon, Donna, Ioannou, Marios

Optimization of the lubricating oil composition to reduce emissions from hydrogen engines

2025-01-0212To be published on 06/16/2025

The decarbonization of the transport sector has become a priority for governmental authorities and industrial stakeholders alike, driving regulatory measures and innovation in powertrain technologies. Among the innovative solutions, hydrogen combustion engines have gained significant attention due to their customization to diverse applications, including heavy-duty vehicles, passenger cars, generators, and even two- and three-wheelers. Hydrogen combustion, characterized by high ignitability, rapid flame speed, soot-free operation, and water as a combustion by-product, introduces distinct challenges for engine lubrication. These unique characteristics require the development and adaptation of lubricant formulations to ensure optimal engine performance and durability. Specifically, tailored lubricants play a vital role in addressing four key challenges: pre-ignition, particulate emissions, water contamination, and wear protection. This study investigates the impact of crucial formulation

Gohl, Marcus, Wulff, Robert, Scholl, Peter, Günthner, Michael, Jung, Philipp Emanuel, Chapelot, Pierre

Evaluating the Impact of Displacing Injected Gasoline with Aspirated Ammonia in a Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engine

2025-01-0226To be published on 06/16/2025

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable ammonia could provide a crucial step towards the decarbonisation of transport sectors. However, many challenges remain in utilising ammonia within combustion systems: the volumetric energy density of ammonia is significantly lower than that of gasoline, exposure to ammonia (including ammonia slip) can be detrimental to human health, and the production of emissions, including unregulated emissions (such as N2O), from ammonia combustion can be catastrophic for the environment if not treated appropriately. Therefore, there is a need to determine the efficacy of ammonia as a fuel for internal combustion engines and the impact on the efficiency of energy release and the resulting exhaust emissions. A modern spark ignition engine was modified such that ammonia was aspirated through the engine intake air to incrementally displace engine gasoline and maintain a constant work output. It was found that displacing the fuel energy supplied by direct injected

Sivaranjitham, Annaniya Mitchell, Hellier, Paul, Ladommatos, Nicos, Millington, Paul, Alcove Clave, Silvia

Investigating lubricants base oils reactivity in ammonia/hydrogen engines via accelerated aging

2025-01-0240To be published on 06/16/2025

As a carbon-free molecule, ammonia is more and more considered as a relevant fuel for long distance and off-road applications. However, this gas has different combustion characteristics compared to conventional fuels, challenging the suitability of lubricants to such engines. In this work, the evolution of lubricants under conditions mimicking ammonia combustion was assessed. Mineral and polyester lubricant base oils were exposed to oxygen, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia in a pressurized reactor under stirring. Oil aliquots were sampled at regular intervals, and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), viscosity and total oxygen and nitrogen contents measurements. Exposure to air containing nitrogen oxides resulted in quicker accumulation of oxidation products compared to neat air, for both the mineral and complex polyester base oil. Besides, exposure to gaseous ammonia in air resulted in a slower oxidation rate for both oils, compared to neat air. A global

Doncoeur, Carole, Giarracca, Lucia, Cologon, Perrine, Rousselle, Christine

Modern Low Friction Coating Technology for Automotive Tribology

2025-01-0247To be published on 06/16/2025

According to Forbes, China, armed with electric vehicles (EVs), could have several companies among the top 10 global brands by sales in 2030. Their global market share is expected to be 33% in 2030. EV's friction is mostly boundary and mixed lubrication, more severe than ICE with hydrodynamic lubrication. Electrical surface failures are clustering, frosting, fluting, cratering, white etching, color change of grease, current marks, gear fluting and microbubbles. Modified friction test condition of ball on disk for EV parts is 1 m/s, 50 N, 1.1 GPa, 80 V, 12.5 kHz (vs. conventional pin on disk, 0.1 m/s, 10 N, 1 km). For the protection of EV's wear and friction, the coatings, DLC, CrN and CrCuN, are compared in the literature. Global coating companies developed with the keywords: hybrid process (PVD/PACVD + FLAD), low-temperature process for polymer/seal coating (ta-C), HIPIMS+CVD for CFRP cutting tool. Fraunhofer IWS has a low friction coating project for ultra-smooth and super

Cha, Sung Chul, Moon, Kyoung Il, Kim, Jongkuk, Park, Chang Ho, Kim, Dong Sik

Understanding how blending different ratios of renewable fuels with diesel impacts the toxicity of exhaust particulates to human health.

2025-01-0207To be published on 06/16/2025

The urgent need to decarbonise transport has increased the utilisation of renewable fuels with current hydrocarbons. Heavy duty vehicle electrification solutions are yet to be realised and therefore the reliance on diesel engines may still be present for decades to come. Currently, the diesel supplied to fuel stations across the UK is a 7% blended biodiesel, whilst in South Korea a 5% blend is utilised. Biodiesel is produced from renewable sources for example; crops, waste residue and oils or biomass. Particulates from diesel combustion are known to be toxic, due to the presence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) however there is very limited understanding of blending oxygenated fuels on the toxicity of the particulates produced. PAHs are aromatic structures that can be metabolised into chemicals which can disrupt DNA replication and potentially influence cancer mechanisms if inhaled in high quantities. Soyabean methyl-ester (SME) was blended at lower ratios, e.g., 5%, 10%, 15% and

Hailwood, Emma, Hellier, Paul, Ladommatos, Nicos, Leonard, Martin

Development of After-treatment Systems and Control Strategy for a Hybrid-dedicated Homogeneous Lean Burn Engine

2025-01-0217To be published on 06/16/2025

Lean-burn gasoline engines can improve fuel economy thanks to the higher specific heat ratio of the mixture and the reduced cooling loss during the combustion process. In addition, when combined with hybrid technology, the technology can achieve more synergies by overcoming obstacles such as limited operating conditions. However, the challenge of this technology is to reduce exhaust emissions to a level suggested by future stringent regulations. In lean-burn gasoline engines, nitric oxide (NOx) emissions are difficult to convert using conventional three-way catalysts (TWCs). Therefore, developing an effective NOx after-treatment system has been a key technology in the development of lean-burn engines. In addition, hydrocarbon (HC) emissions are also challenging because they increase under lean combustion conditions, while the lower exhaust temperature under lean conditions makes them hard to oxidize. Therefore, a catalyst technology capable of effectively converting HC, even at a low

Oh, Heechang, Lee, Jonghyeok, Sim, Kiseon, Lim, SeungSoo, Park, Jongil, Park, Minkyu, Kang, Hyunjin, Han, Donghee, Lee, Kwiyeon, Song, Jinwoo

Residual Gas and Emission Characteristics in a Propane-Fueled Spark-Ignition Engine with Varying Combustion Durations

2025-01-0202To be published on 06/16/2025

This research investigates the impact of combustion duration on combustion characteristics, emissions, and residual gas in a propane-fueled spark ignition engine under varying engine speeds. Using a two-cylinder V-twin engine and AVL-Boost simulation, experiments were conducted at speeds ranging from 3000 to 8000 rpm with combustion durations between 40° and 80° crank angle. The study integrates simulation and experimental methods to address challenges in measuring residual gas and effective release energy (ERE) under different conditions. Results show that longer combustion durations generally lead to increased residual gas and BSFC, while also influencing peak fire temperature, effective release energy, and emission characteristics. At 3000 rpm, optimal conditions were observed with a peak BMEP of 11.11 bar, torque of 25.01 Nm, power output of 14.87 kW, and a minimum BSFC of 311.43 g/kWh. Longer combustion durations elevated the residual gas, reaching up to 0.946 at 8000 rpm, and

Quach, Nhu Y, Lim, Ocktaeck

Thermal efficiency improvement and emission reduction of methanol spark ignition engine using lean-burn strategy

2025-01-0224To be published on 06/16/2025

Methanol is a promising fuel for achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation sector, particularly for internal combustion engine vehicles. With its high-Octane number, methanol enables higher thermal efficiency compared to gasoline engines. Additionally, its wide flammability range allows stable engine operation under lean burn conditions at low to mid-load levels. In this study, experiments were conducted on a single-cylinder engine to examine the combustion and emission characteristics under varying excess air ratios and injection timings. The results showed that the highest thermal efficiency was achieved at the highest excess air ratio, despite the lowest combustion efficiency and the longest burn duration. This outcome highlights that a larger air mass reduces heat loss and pumping loss. Furthermore, NOx emissions decreased due to the reduction in in-cylinder temperatures. However, HC emissions increased as a result of the decline in combustion efficiency

Lee, Seungwon, Kim, Hyunsoo, Hwang, Joonsik, Bae, Choongsik

Comparison of Methanol and Gasoline Fuel Spray Vaporization Using Direct-Injection Technology

2025-01-0225To be published on 06/16/2025

Considering the large opportunity to reduce net lifecycle carbon emissions through the use of renewable methanol, we address spray technologies needed to overcome the challenge of wall wetting and poor vaporization for methanol and the need for improved computational modeling of these processes. High-speed extinction imaging followed by computed tomography reconstruction is utilized to provide three-dimensional liquid volume fraction for reference fuel injectors, to be used for model validation activities. The first injector is the symmetric 8-hole Spray M injector for the Engine Combustion Network, and the second injector is an asymmetric 6-hole injector designed for lateral-cylinder mounting. The degree of plume interaction and vaporization are characterized at representative injection conditions, showing substantially higher concentrations of liquid for methanol than gasoline even with preheated fuel temperatures (90 degrees C). In light of higher injected mass requirements for

Wan, Kevin, Clemente Mallada, Rafael, Buen, Zachary, White, Logan, Oh, Heechang, Dhanji, Meghnaa, Pickett, Lyle

Evaluation of Several Jet Fuels under Compression-ignition Operation on Thermal Efficiency, NOx, Particulate Matter, and Particle Size Distribution

2025-01-0244To be published on 06/16/2025

Alternative fuels such as Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK) and Catalytic Hydrothermal Conversion Jet (CHCJ) are among those important sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) for future transportation. However, these alternative fuels often vary in their fuel characteristics, which depend on feedstock and fuel production processes. Therefore, a detailed analysis of combustion, emissions, and efficiency of these alternative fuels must be performed under controlled experiments to understand the impact of fuel properties and operating conditions. Using a single-cylinder research engine (SCRE), extensive operating conditions were performed to realize any difference in performance that can be fundamentally understood by fuel properties (e.g., cetane number, heat of combustion, and density) of these fuels in comparison with Jet-A. The experimental setup includes high-speed data acquisition for combustion analysis and gaseous and solid emissions benches for nitrogen oxides

Cung, Khanh, Miganakallu Narasimhamurthy, Niranjan, Khalek, Imad, Hansen, Greg

An experimental and numerical study of ultra-lean combustion characteristics of methanol direct injection using various coil spark ignition strategies

2025-01-0200To be published on 06/16/2025

Methanol is significantly emerging as a promising alternative fuel in the pursuit of carbon neutrality. This study aims to analyze the combustion characteristics of methanol in a spark-ignition (SI) engine operating under high compression ratios and ultra-lean conditions through both experimental and simulation approaches. The objective is to derive optimized combustion efficiency by employing various ignition strategies based on discharge energy. To this end, experiments were conducted using a Rapid Compression Expansion Machine (RCEM) to replicate realistic engine environments. The effects of discharge energy and spark duration across different spark coil configurations were investigated through both experimental methods and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The experimental results showed that the use of multiple spark coils achieved an energy release rate of approximately 239 mJ/s, more than twice that of the single-coil configuration. Simulation results were in good

Choi, Jeongyeon, Lim, Ocktaeck

Adaptive equivalent consumption minimization strategy based on Bayesian Optimization

2025-01-0194To be published on 06/16/2025

The Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS) is an effective approach for managing energy flow in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), balancing the use of electric energy and fuel consumption. The strategy's performance depends heavily on the Equivalent Factor (EF), which governs this trade-off. However, the optimal EF varies under different driving conditions and is influenced by the inherent randomness in factors such as traffic, road gradients, and driving behavior, making it challenging to determine through traditional methods. This paper introduces Bayesian Optimization (BO) as a solution to address the stochastic nature of the EF parameter tuning process. By using a probabilistic model, BO efficiently navigates the complex, uncertain performance landscape to find the optimal EF parameters that minimize fuel consumption and emissions across variable conditions. Simulation results for the WLTP and Artemis driving cycles demonstrate that the EF parameters optimized with BO

Zhang, Cetengfei, Zhou, Quan, Jia, Yiqi, Xiong, Lu

An Experimental Study on Aqueous Ammonia and Diesel Dual-Fuel Combustion with Ignition Improving Additives in a Compression Ignition Engine

2025-01-0231To be published on 06/16/2025

Ammonia is a potential vector of renewably produced hydrogen for combustion systems and decarbonisation of transport. However, anhydrous ammonia remains dangerous and difficult to handle due to its volatility and toxicity. Therefore, a water-based solution of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) was proposed to investigate the potential use as a fuel in a compression-ignition engine. Ammonium hydroxide, also referred to as aqueous ammonia, is liquid phase under atmospheric conditions; therefore, the storage of such a fuel does not require high pressure. Previous work has established that ammonium hydroxide solution could contribute to energy release during co-combustion with fossil diesel. However, the presence of water reduced combustion stability and limited the extent to which aqueous ammonia could displace diesel. In addition, the characteristics of pollutant emissions of burning such a fuel remained less understood. This study therefore explores the potential of ignition improving additives

Han, Yanlin, Hellier, Paul, Schonborn, Alessandro, Ladommatos, Nicos

A Comprehensive Experimental Analysis of Ethanol 27% Fuel Blend in a Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection Engine

2025-01-0245To be published on 06/16/2025

India is committed to achieving a 20% ethanol blend in petrol (E20) by 2025, as part of its national biofuels policy to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and support the agricultural economy. Building on E20's achievement in reducing GHG emissions, E27 fuel—which contains 27% ethanol in gasoline—is one of the means of advancing India's ethanol strategy and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. In line with the literature and the preliminary study, an experimental analysis utilizing fuel blends ranging from E10 to E40 was conducted. It was found that E27 provides the optimal balance of emissions reduction and performance without requiring engine modifications, complying with the government's aim to boost ethanol blending and cut carbon emissions by 2030. This study examines a turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TGDI) engine powered passenger car that was tested using E27 fuel for a mileage accumulation of 20,000 km under real-world driving conditions. This evaluation

D R, Vigneshwar, Bhakthavachalu, Vijayabaskar, Muralidharan, M.

A computational process to predict and mitigate liftgate gap noise

2025-01-0028To be published on 05/05/2025

Noise comfort significantly influences vehicle purchasing decisions. With wind noise being a primary contributor to the overall cabin experience vehicle manufacturers must focus on optimizing the exterior shape of their models to minimize wind noise while balancing fuel efficiency and aesthetic appeal. High-speed airflow over gaps in the vehicle’s exterior can generate considerable noise, which often enters the cabin through seals. A good sealing strategy could be very helpful to address these gap noise issues. However, doing this with traditional experimental processes can be challenging, since early stage prototypes may lack detailed gap information. Modifying the seal design after the tooling stage to address these noise issues can be costly for manufacturers, as suppliers often incur expenses related to tool modifications and redesigns. Overdesigning by incorporating multiple layers of seals for all the gaps can inflate part and manufacturing costs, ultimately impacting profit

Moron, Philippe, Jantzen, Andreas, Kim, Minsuk, Senthooran, Sivapalan

Optimization of HEV Vehicle’s Engine Modulated Noise

2025-01-0084To be published on 05/05/2025

One 1.5L Miller-cycle turbocharged four cylinder gasoline hybrid engine is installed on a certain hybrid vehicle. When accelerating at low to medium speeds with a small throttle, there is a "da da" knocking noise inside the car, which seriously affects the overall sound quality of the vehicle. By analyzing the vibration and noise data of the engine, it was found that the frequency of the abnormal knocking sound is 200-1000Hz, which presents a half order characteristic in the time domain, that is, one knocking occurs when the engine crankshaft rotates twice. Through Hilbert demodulation analysis of the vibration data in the problem frequency range, it was found that the knocking noise was modulated in the frequency domain, with a modulation frequency of half of the crankshaft rotation frequency. By building a fully flexible multi-body dynamic model of a hybrid powertrain and inputting the engine's cylinder pressure excitation, the combustion excitation is coupled with mechanical

Dan, Kong

Research on NVH Performance of Pulse Heating System of One Vehicle

2025-01-0078To be published on 05/05/2025

When the ambient temperature is too low, the performance of the lithium-ion battery will deteriorate, and the car will have the problems of difficult charging, fast power consumption, and even difficult to start, so the battery needs to be heated before use to provide a comfortable working environment for the lithium-ion. The high-frequency pulse heating system can quickly and evenly raise the temperature of the battery, but there is noise during operation, which affects the NVH performance of the vehicle itself, and its noise comfort needs to be further optimized. Firstly, the high-frequency pulse heating system is discussed in detail, and the parameters affecting the NVH performance are explored. Secondly, NVH tests and subjective and objective evaluations were carried out based on different system parameters, relevant data were collected to establish a model, the influence degree of each parameter was demonstrated, and the best parameter combination was determined. Finally, the

Yun, Zhao, Shouhui, Huang, Hu, Zhongxun, Hui, Hui, Zhou, Changshui, Teng, Charlie

Plug-in hybrid and range extender NVH – Challenges and Solutions

2025-01-0101To be published on 05/05/2025

The automotive industry continues to develop new powertrain and vehicle technologies aimed at reducing overall vehicle-level fuel consumption. While the use of electrified propulsion systems is expected to play an increasingly important role in helping OEM’s meet fleet CO2 reduction targets, hybridized propulsion solutions can play a vital role in the electrification strategy of vehicle manufacturers. Plug-in hybrid and range extender vehicles show unique NVH challenges due to their different possible operation modes. First, the paper outlines different driveline architectures for PHEV and range extenders. Given the multiple general architectures, as well as operation modes which typically occur for these vehicles, characterizations and source-path analysis of these vehicles can be more complicated than conventional vehicles. In the following steps, typical NVH related challenges are highlighted and potential solutions for NVH optimization are discussed. While the overall noise levels

Wellmann, Thomas, Ford, Alex, Pruetz, Jeffrey

Flow-Induced Noise Prediction and Validation of a Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle's HVAC System Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method

2025-01-0057To be published on 05/05/2025

Within automobiles, the HVAC is a critical system to regulate the occupants’ thermal comfort. However, at its high operating speeds, it can contribute significantly to the overall sound levels perceived by the cabin occupants, impacting their experience. This is especially true in the case of electric vehicles due to their overall quieter operation. This work has the intention to validate HVAC noise predictions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In addition, CFD simulations provide detailed flow field insights which are essential to identify and rank the main noise sources, and it ultimately allows a better understanding of the physical mechanisms of noise generation on similar systems. These insights are very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain with physical testing and are key to designing a quiet and efficient HVAC system. Sound levels were measured experimentally at eight different locations inside of a Class-8 Nikola TRE hydrogen fuel cell electric semi

Ihi, Rafael, Fougere, Nicolas, Passador, Stephen, Woo, Sangbeom, Kim, James, Desouky, Mohamed

Simulation of Pass-by Fan Noise Emissions and Advancing Test Regulations for Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles

2025-01-0086To be published on 05/05/2025

The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates updates to the automotive testing standards, particularly for noise emission. This paper examines the vehicle-level noise emission testing of a Nikola Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck and the component-level noise emission testing needed to create a predictive simulation model using Wave6 software. The physical, component-level noise emission testing focused on individual cooling fans in a semi-anechoic chamber to assess their isolated noise contributions. With this data, an initial model was developed using spatial gradient statistical energy analysis, which successfully predicted pass-by noise levels based on varying fan locations and speeds. Real-world pass-by testing confirmed the model's accuracy across different cooling fan speeds. By leveraging advanced simulation techniques, engineers aim to enhance the accuracy and reliability of pass-by noise predictions through cost-effective studies of architectural

Passador, Stephen, Woo, Sangbeom, Liu, Ting-Wei, De La Vega Alonso, Gerardo, Kim, James

Experimental Analysis of Pressure Pulsation Noise Phenomenon in a CNG-Powered Passenger Vehicle

2025-01-0112To be published on 05/05/2025

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engine has proved itself to be a worthy replacement for conventional fuels like gasoline & diesel in heavy commercial and passenger transport applications all over the world. Natural gas can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while the global distribution of natural gas allows energy independence for regions with gas rather than oil reserves. In India, infrastructure development of CNG distribution and stringent emission regulations have increased the interest shown by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to concentrate towards development of CNG vehicles in every segment. From noise & vibration perspective, CNG powered vehicles are expected to maintain the same level of cabin refinement as their fossil fuel equivalents. However, one of the major challenges associated with CNG vehicles is the excitation due to additional components like CNG Pressure Regulator, Injector et al. The operational metallic / pulsation noises are generally higher as

Chatterjee, Joydeep, Ravindran, Mugundaram

Determination of optimum location of active tuned mass dampers to obtain improved NVH performance during cylinder de-activation events

2025-01-0110To be published on 05/05/2025

Cylinder deactivation has been a proven technique to improve fuel economy for several years now. But on the flip side during cylinder deactivation events, high amplitude torque pulsations are generated at the crankshaft of the engine over a wide frequency range creating a potential risk for NVH performance of the vehicle. As passive tuned mass dampers are effective only in a narrow frequency range, active tuned mass dampers (ATMD) have become a popular choice to mitigate the risk. Often, engineers rely on finite element (FE) models of vehicle structures to make design decisions during the early stages of vehicle development. However, there is relatively little literature available on simulation of ATMD using FE techniques. Consequently, in most cases, ATMDs are not included in the FE models of vehicle structures. Several details related to the ATMD design are decided through physical testing at the latter stages of vehicle development. To address this issue, a methodology to simulate

Maddali, Ramakanth, Mogal, Akbar Baig, Haider, Syed, Jahangir, Yawar

Conceptual Design of a Superconducting Aero Electric Engine System

2025-01-0146To be published on 05/02/2025

The goal of the development of an electric aircraft engine is to create an aircraft system that achieves ultimate efficiency using hydrogen fuel instead of fossil fuels. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on reducing weight as much as possible, and this paper describes the approach to such fuel cell-powered aircraft. The authors have adopted a superconducting coreless rotating electric machine with an integrated hydrogen tank and are pursuing a target of 70kg or less for the main components of a 2MW rotating electric machine. High-temperature superconducting wires have zero electrical resistance and can carry a very high current density, but the alternating current (AC) loss generated when used in AC has been an issue in their application to rotating electric machines. In 2023, The SCSC cable was developed to be a low-AC-loss, robust, and high current cable concept, in which copper-plated multifilament coated conductors are wound spirally on a core. In addition to using this

Oyori, Hitoshi, Sakurai, Sho, Kusase, Shin, Yoshida, Yukihiro, Yoshinaga, Seiichiro, Nose, Hiroyuki, Amemiya, Naoyuki

Model-Based Design and Energy Management of an Aeronautical Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System

2025-01-0150To be published on 05/02/2025

The growing demand for air transport requires efficient and sustainable power systems to meet the pressing need for decarbonizing the sector. A hybrid unit, consisting of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery, is a suitable option due to the benefits of reduced gravimetric and volumetric impacts, along with the flexibility of energy management strategies. This work addresses, using a model-based approach, the issue of integrating these electrochemical devices into the aircraft’s electrical architecture, considering both design and energy management aspects. Two scenarios are explored to match the DC bus line voltage requirements. In the first, the fuel cell system nominal power is kept constant, while the number of DC/DC converters operating in parallel is assessed by constructing bi-dimensional maps derived from literature. These maps relate the converter’s maximum deliverable power to the input and desired output voltage. The second scenario introduces

Aliberti, Paolo, Sorrentino, Marco, Cuomo, Fabrizio, Napolitano, Ciro

Designing and Controlling a Hybrid Fuel Cell System for Propelling a Turboprop Aircraft

2025-01-0151To be published on 05/02/2025

In the context of aviation sector decarbonization, fuel cell hybrid electric aircrafts are a promising alternative to conventional fuels, presenting opportunities for more sustainable and efficient flight. Hence, the present work is focused on an alternative powertrain architecture, wherein a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system cooperates with a lithium-ion battery to fulfill the electrical power demand of a turboprop-based aircraft. Particularly, a mathematical tool is proposed to evaluate both the components size and performance, while a degradation aware rule-based control strategy guarantees an effective power split between the hybridizing components. Such an energy management approach introduces an idling level and a rate limiter to mitigate degradation associated with start-up/shut-down and transient phases, respectively. Moreover, to have a reliable estimation of the vehicle’s fuel economy, while also guaranteeing the correct components dimensioning, the fuel cell system

De Donato, Angelo, Aliberti, Paolo, Sorrentino, Marco, Cuomo, Fabrizio, Musto, Carmine

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