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IFP Powertrain News	N°10 - March 2010


2010 IFP Conference Les Rencontres Scientifiques de l'IFP : International Conference on LES for Internal Combustion Engine Flows (LES4ICE)
	*November* *18-19, 2010* The LES4ICE conference** will provide an international forum for exchange concerning recent advances in Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) research applied to internal combustion engine (ICE) flows and related experimental techniques. Deadline for abstracts submission: April 9, 2010 For further information

Enhancing testing facilities for efficient development processes
IFP is now equipped with a climatic test bench with two separate testing units: Cold start test unit Engines can be conditioned at temperatures ranging from -30°C to +40°C, in order to analyze their start ability and study engine speed stability during the first few minutes of running. Combined with the engine brake system installed in this test cell, the engine can be operated during cleaning phases between start tests in order to improve test repeatability. This kind of facility makes it possible to study engine responses in the context of more stringent pollutant standards, particularly with driving cycles considered at -7°C. Start ability can also be studied in the context of next generation biofuels. Engine mapping test unit Engines can be mapped for the entire engine speed and torque range, with oil & water conditioned at temperatures ranging from 0°C to +120°C. Intake air can also be regulated in terms of humidity from 5.5 to 20.5 g (water)/kg (dry air) and temperature from -30°C to +80°C. The maximum output of the engine to be tested is 250 kW (340hp) - 500 Nm (369 lb.ft). Both of these units are equipped with the Morphée 2 test-bench software developed in collaboration with D2T.

Technology focus

The CIGAL™ concept: IFP methodology for concomitant injection of gas and liquid fuels

In order to address the issue of CO₂ emissions and diversify transport energies, Compressed Natural Gas is regarded as one of the most promising clean fuels due to its intrinsic chemical and physical properties (high knocking resistance, low carbon content, etc.). However, gaseous injection decreases volumetric efficiency, which has a direct impact on the maximum torque as a result of reduction of the cylinder fill-up.

The CIGAL™ concept has been developed at IFP to overcome this drawback. It is based on the simultaneous injection of a fuel with a low energy density and a high octane number (e.g. CNG) coupled with the injection of a fuel with a high energy density and a low octane number (e.g. gasoline). It allows a better combustion efficiency to be exploited in stoichiometric conditions even at full load with spark timing set close to MBT, thus leading to excellent performance and compliance with stringent regulations.

Depending on requirements in terms of engine settings, the Gas/Liquid fuels ratio can be adapted depending on the operating point. Consequently, the CIGAL™ concept offers promising prospects for optimization of engine configuration, for after-treatment of exhaust gases and for onboard energy management in a bi-fuel vehicle.

Gaz jet visualizations using two simultaneous optical diagnostic techniques: fuel concentration by Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and flow velocity measurements by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

Events

For your agendas
Elektrik/Elektronik in Hybrid- und Elektrofahrzeugen
*March 22-23, 2010 - Munich (Germany)*

SAE Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress
*April 13-15, 2010 - Detroit (USA)* Booth # 514 www.sae.org/congress

31st International Vienna Motor Symposium
*April 29-30, 2010 - Vienna (Austria)* www.oevk.at

Les Rendez-vous Carnot 2010
	*May 5-6, 2010 - Lyon (France)*** www.rdv-carnot.com

6th International Bus Conference on Fuelling public transport
*June 9-11, 2010 - Lyon (France)* www.uitp.org/events/2010/lyon/en/

We were present...
7th Braunschweig Symposium Hybrid Vehicles and Energy Management
	February 24-25, 2010 - Braunschweig (Germany)

In short

Participation of IFP in the Ciclamen 2 collaborative project labelled by the LUTB (Lyon Urban Truck and Bus) competitiveness cluster. This project, which is led by Electrifil, aims to develop an onboard pre-industrial particulate sensor for management of the particulate filter, the ultimate goal being to bring it to market when Euro 6 standards come into force.

Alain Juppé, former Prime Minister of France, Mayor of Bordeaux, and Co-Chairman of the Commission sur le Grand Emprunt visited IFP-Lyon premises on January 20. The visit was an opportunity for IFP to highlight its commitment, expertise and innovation potential with respect to the development of eco-technologies.
Alain Juppé at IFP-Lyon

The second DASS meeting dedicated to onboard reversible energy storage systems was organized by Move'o competitiveness cluster at IFP on January 29, 2010. The session opened with a presentation of the French national Electric Vehicles Program before various speakers outlined the problems related to the use of energy storage systems. A number of discussions and questions highlighted the major issues involved, along with the technological obstacles in this crucial field for the automotive industry.

Vehicle and powertrain simulation on the LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim platform with IFP-Drive® and IFP-Engine® tools

Mrs. Pappalardo, General Commissioner and Interministerial Officer for Sustainable Development (French Ministry for the Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Sea) visited IFP-Lyon premises on February 2. The visit was an opportunity to present IFP’s activities in the field of low carbon vehicle and eco-efficient process development.

Coordinated by the Institut Carnot IFP-Moteurs, the Fraunhofer LBF and Volkswagen, the new collaborative DEVICE project will build up and validate a virtual concept for innovative small capacity Diesel powertrains applied to passenger cars with ultra-low CO₂ emissions, combining "mild hybrid" type hybridization with a substantially downsized 2-cylinder engine.
This project is part of a long-term strategic Franco-German alliance aimed at addressing key powertrain issues for future vehicle applications.

IFP has just submitted its conclusions to ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency) concerning the "specific-use vehicle study" enabling comparison by simulation of an all-IC and all-electric vehicle in a "specific-use" configuration (urban vehicle with limited autonomy range). This study will soon be the subject of a presentation at the PREDIT1 and IEA-OECD meetings.