Thermal management and combustion process development

Under European legislation, from 2015 onwards average fleet emissions of CO₂ for new cars must be reduced to 130 g/km. This target should be met solely through engine improvements. Other vehicle modifications should deliver a further reduction of about 10 g/km. Given that 45% of all car journeys involve distances of between one and six kilometers, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions and better fuel consumption by improving the engine’s thermal management systems. We have worked with several well-known OEMs to develop thermal management concepts all the way to the series production stage. These reduce engine friction primarily in the warm-up phase and help the engine to warm up much more quickly.

Measures to optimize fuel consumption and emissions have to take account of the engine’s combustion behavior.

Key issues here include:

• Process management
• Combustion chamber sensors (controlling the combustion process)
• Emissions reduction measures in the combustion chamber

ElringKlinger Motortechnik also conducts research projects to develop the combustion process using a 1-cylinder engine.