IFP's diesel engine technologies

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Diesel engine technologies

Diesel engines are extremely well positioned in terms of consumption but increasingly stringent pollution control standards tend to place them at a disadvantage when it comes to emissions.

IFP’s research therefore focuses on controlling diesel-specific pollutants (particles, NOx and, to a lesser extent, HC and CO).

Diesel engine research projects

Reducing pollutants at source

This approach aims to reduce pollutant levels at source, within the combustion chamber. Using its knowledge in the field of combustion mechanisms, IFP has developed the HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) combustion method, which recycles high levels of burned gases. This technique is suitable for car applications as well as for heavy-duty vehicles.

Reducing fuel consumption

Achieving consistent reductions in the fuel consumption of diesel engines remains an important goal, particularly as there is still room for improvement in this area. In collaboration with its partners, IFP is continuing its research into significant downsizing associated with:

high supercharging,
injection systems capable of delivering pressures of 2,500 bars.

Optimizing cold starts

IFP has developed specific expertise for the analysis and improvement of cold starts at very low temperatures (-30°C). This poses problems due to a significant reduction in the compression ratios of modern diesel engines.

Solutions for our customers

From the cylinder heads design to turbocharging, from injection to engine calibration and after-treatment, IFP's methodology saves time and yields reliable results. It gives car manufacturers and OEMs a combination of development criteria and testing facilities for each phase in the engine design process:

implementation of technological solutions: architecture, injection, timing, turbocharging. These solutions make it possible to comply with Euro V and later standards and fuel economy requirements,
development of variable internal aerodynamics,
design of cylinder head architectures that improve thermal performance and thermomechanical strength,
support for the development of controllable high-pressure injection systems (common rail type),
development of new control systems,
application of homogeneous charge combustion processes (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition - HCCI, NADI™ concept),
application of variable timing associated with the diesel powertrain: evaluation of the Mechadyne concept in the context of the integrated European NICE (New Integrated Combustion System for Future Passenger Car Engines) project.