Expertise in fuels and engine technologies

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IFP's line of services
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Refining-Petrochemicals
Fuels-Lubricants
Engines
- Innovative concepts
- Alternative fuels and dedicated engines
  - Expertise in fuels and engine technologies
  - Alternative fuels
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- Engine and vehicle modeling and simulation
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Expertise in fuels and engine technologies

IFP can rely on traverse-functional skills in terms of engine technologies and fuel development. On the base of this knowledge, its main objective is to optimize fuels and engines matching (conventional and alternative fuels)

IFP combines the expertise of its engine technology specialists with know-how in the field of refining process development, an area in which it is a world leader. This integrated product ands service offer gives IFP a unique competitive edge when it comes to pairing engines with fuels:

formulation of fuels that significantly cut the formation of deposits in the combustion chamber, on injectors and valves and reduce pollution produced by engines (noise, odors and pollutants);
formulation of alternative fuels (biofuels, gas fuels) and evaluation on engines of clogging pollutant emission and drivability parameters. For example, IFP is responsible for monitoring a fleet of FFV vehicles
exploration of new avenues for innovative formulations: GTL (gas to liquid) strategy, fuels produced using the Fischer-Tropsch process, oxygenated compounds;
development of plastic materials or composites to make equipment (pipes, tanks, seals) tailored to fuels and lubricants.

Influence de la formulation des gazoles sur les émissions de CO d'un moteur Diesel common rail (New European Driving Cycle)

Influence of the formulation of gas oils on the CO emissions of a diesel common rail engine (New European Driving Cycle)

Specific testing resources

Laboratory for the analysis of automobile pollutants
Resources for the analysis of regulated or specific pollutants (continuous, by cycle phase, etc.) on engine test benches and chassis dynamometers enabling the measurement and identification of several types of compounds (individual HC, H₂S, SO₂, NH₂, N₂O, aldehydes, HAP, acids, etc.)
Equipment to measure the granulometry of particles

Effets obtenus sur les émissions polluantes par l'ajout de composés oxygénés innovants (20 % en vol.) au carburant diesel

Effects obtained on pollutant emissions by the addition of innovative oxygenated compounds (20% in vol.) to diesel fuel

Ongoing joint projects

IFP organizes consortiums that are open to any partners interested in the future challenges represented by these new concepts.
Through international partnerships bringing together car manufacturers and OEMs, oil and refining companies within Consortiums, the research programs led by IFP help lead to the creation of relevant fuel formulations that promote new combustion modes.

• Diesel HCCI international consortium

On the strength of its dual expertise in engines and fuels, IFP has been leading research in the context of a consortium working on the theme of "The Effect of Fuel and Additives on Diesel HCCI Engines" for 4 years.
The objective of this study is to meet the requirements of future powertrains in terms of very low pollutant and CO2 emissions. At present, little information is available concerning the effect of fuels on this new combustion process. It is against this background that the consortium proposes to study the effects of fuels and additives on the combustion process of diesel HCCI engines.
Some promising results have already been obtained. The study is currently being extended in order to validate the results obtained to date, with a view to industrial application in the near future.

>> To find out more about this consortium, download the datasheet on: Effect of fuel and Additives on Diesel HCCI Engines (PDF - 620 Ko)

• Gasoline CAI international consortium

Drawing on its own experience in the leadership of international consortiums, at the beginning of 2005, IFP launched a new 3-year program on the theme of "The Effect of Fuel and Additives on Gasoline CAI engines". This study, which is closely linked to optimization of CAI (Controlled Auto-Ignition) combustion, makes it possible to uncover the physicochemical properties of the most appropriate fuels for CAI combustion and then to select the best possible fuels in various conditions of use using a characterization methodology.

>> To find out more about this consortium, download the datasheet on: Effect of Fuel and Additives on Gasoline CAI engines (PDF - 630 Ko)

New International Consortium:

E4D Research Program

"Ethanol for Diesel: 4 ways to use ethanol in a diesel engine"

Drawing on its combined expertise in aspects concerning the best match between engines and fuels, IFP has in the past proposed and is currently conducting research programs in the form of international consortiums. On the strength of this experience, IFP recently launched a new consortium aimed at assessing the potential related to the use of ethanol in a diesel engine. >> More information