With sales of around 60,000 units per month (LCVs + M/HCVs), the commercial vehicles segment is an important element in powering the Indian economy. It’s also important for the segment to keep abreast of the latest global advances in commercial vehicle technologies, since improved engine efficiency and lower fuel consumption are critical for better profitability, while reduced emissions helps the environment in a big way. Here, we take a look at some of the newer developments in CV engine technology that promise a better future for commercial vehicle owners and operators.
THE NEED FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCY
According to a study conducted by the Department of Energy (DOE) in the US, most diesel-powered commercial vehicle engines are only moderately efficient, with brake thermal efficiency (BTE) peaking at about 42 %, which means that these engines are converting only about 42 % of the fuel that they consume into actual mechanical output. This is partly due to thermodynamic limitations of some heavy-duty diesel engines and CV manufacturers have been studying the possibilities of making changes to basic engine architecture and using NOx after treatment systems for improved efficiency. Also being used and evaluated are factors like higher / variable compression ratios, reduced internal friction, developments in variable-geometry turbochargers (as well as the use of multiple turbos), more advanced high-pressure common-rail fuel-injection technology for improved fuel combustion, turbo compunding processes for better exhaust heat recovery systems, urea-based selective catalytic reduction for better emissions compliance, biofuel blends (not used in India though) and on-board diagnostics systems that allow technicians to keep track of an engine’s state of operations. In all of this, weight, packaging constraints, development and production costs, reliability and durability are also important factors, what with CV engines expected to last 15-20 lakh kilometres or more.
CV engines typically operate at lower speeds and high or very high load conditions, and manufacturers are these days aiming to improve BTE to 50-55 %, which is a challenge in terms of deploying the technology required for this improvement. With newer engine architecture and with better heat recovery systems, CV manufacturers have been able to achieve modest improvements in low-temperature combustion, resulting in BTE numbers that are higher than what was prevalent a decade or more ago, but 55 % will require still more work.
この記事は Auto Tech Review の March 2017 版に掲載されています。
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