TESTING BIOFUELS EFFECT ON ENGINES
Ricardo announced the formation of a consortium that aims to evaluate the impact of biofuels on current and future light-duty engine technologies. Concerns about carbon emissions and energy security are said to be leading to a global increase in the use of biofuels within the traditional fuel supply chain for pump blends. In addition to this, many regions are making higher biofuel blends available to consumers that wish to use these for financial or operational reasons or through personal concern for the environment.
In terms of biodiesel, areas of focus will include understanding the effect of the wide variability of fuel chemistry resulting from the broad range of potential feedstocks, challenges of fuel storage resulting from instability and reactivity to air, and the potential for fuel dilution of lube oil.
The work of the consortium will be structured as a series of modules.
The first module will look at the effect of biofuel content on diesel performance, emissions and economy, using conventional and advanced combustion-control systems. Three further modules are currently under consideration: investigating the effects of biodiesel on fuel in oil dilution and how advanced post-injection calibration techniques can reduce the problem; the effects of biofuel content on petrol performance, emissions and economy; and the effects of biodiesel on vehicle stability.
The consortium’s first module, which is part-funded by the UK government’s Department for Transport, will be formally launched today but will remain open to applications from prospective members throughout the duration of the work.
