SwRI announces CLEAN DIESEL-III consortium program focusing on low emission diesel technology

10 September 1999

The Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas, announced a new cooperative research consortium aimed at developing clean diesel engine technologies. A Clean-Diesel-III kickoff meeting, scheduled for 21 October 1999, is open for all interested parties from around the world. In the following summary SwRI presents the program objectives.

Clean Diesel-III Summary. Clean Diesel-III is a four-year cooperative research program comprised of engine and component manufacturers from around the world. The Clean Diesel-III program builds on eight years of successful Clean Diesel programs at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). More than 20 companies have participated in previous Clean Diesel programs.

The objective of the consortium is to develop pre-competitive diesel engine technology and transfer this technology to the clients. For example, more than eight years ago the Clean Diesel-I consortium investigated the effect of EGR on heavy-duty diesel engine emissions. Today, manufacturers are putting this technology into production.

The Clean Diesel-III consortium is unique because it is governed by the Program Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC is made up from representatives of each member company and provides guidance for project selection and program technical direction. The PAC meets three times per year and ensures that the project results meet client needs. The Clean Diesel-III consortium is a "members program" not strictly an "SwRI program".

SwRI is proposing eight projects to start the Clean Diesel-III program. These eight projects are the result of suggestions from current participants, members of 35 companies that were recently visited to discuss the Clean Diesel-III Program, and SwRI staff. The eight proposed projects are listed below:

Optimization of a Second-Generation System for Cycle-Resolved Water Injection
Effect of Water Emulsion on Post-Combustion Exhaust Emission Reduction Devices
Direct Injection Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition
Variable Valve Actuation
Model-Based Controls
Development of Individual Valve Train Lubrication (IVTL) Concept for Friction and Wear Reduction
Heavy-Duty Gasoline Engine
Advanced Injection Rate Plus EGR

The PAC will select projects to start the consortium based on client interest and total program funds. Many of the projects will be completed before the end of the four-year program. New projects will be selected and added based on input from the PAC.

The Clean Diesel-III program goals are:

		NOx + HC	PM

		1.0 g/hp-hr	0.05 g/hp-hr

over the US transient heavy-duty test cycle, preferably without aftertreatment. (The emission goal was suggested by the current Clean Diesel-II members. Program goals will be discussed at the Clean Diesel-III kickoff meeting.) Engine technology will also be evaluated using the European and Japanese test cycles. The off-highway and light duty test cycles will also be taken into account when evaluating technology. As appropriate for the light-duty engine, the program goal will be the equivalent of LEV-II. We will try to achieve the emissions goals with fuel economy, CO2, and specific engine power comparable to the best 1999 engines. Diesel fuel with specifications representative of diesel fuel available in 2003 will be used.

SwRI understands that diesel exhaust aftertreatment will be required in the future. Currently, the proposed projects do not include aftertreatment research projects (although we will be evaluating aftertreatment technology). In the past, Clean Diesel members have not selected aftertreatment research projects because they are members of other SwRI aftertreatment consortia or they are working directly with the aftertreatment companies. While the proposal does not include aftertreatment research, we will evaluate Clean Diesel-III developed technology with the latest aftertreatment technology. Aftertreatment projects can be added in Clean Diesel-III as directed by the PAC.

Three PAC review meetings will be held each year. Typically these meetings are held at SwRI, but other locations are under consideration. For the convenience of our foreign members, the meetings are usually scheduled just before or after major meetings in the USA such as SAE meetings. The meetings are dynamic and informative as expected when many companies get together to discuss future technology trends. Often the information gained at dinner after the meeting can be just as informative as the meeting itself. Guest speakers from the diesel engine industry are invited to the meetings so all the clients can get an update on technology.

The technical level of participation in the Clean Diesel-III consortium is determined by the Member Company. The more you participate, the more you get out of the program. Some companies send several engineers to each meeting and provide engines for testing while others prefer to participate by video conference or choose not to attend every meeting. The monthly reports are comprehensive and can be provided on CD and/or hard copy. Some companies are now posting Clean Diesel reports on their Intranet. Obviously, we would like all members to participate in all meetings, but we realize that this is not always possible.

Clean Diesel-III deliverables include three PAC review meetings per year, one client visit per year, monthly reports, final reports on each project, and copies of all computer models generated on the project (a past example is an NOx model and EGR control algorithms in C code). All patented Clean Diesel-III technology will be provided to the members on a royalty free-license basis.

SwRI expects 25 to 30 companies will join Clean Diesel-III. SwRI has visited more than 35 companies while preparing this proposal. The proposal has been sent out to more than 60 companies world wide. Clean Diesel-III allows companies to leverage valuable research funds while providing a 25 to 30-times return on investment (depending on the number of members).

The Clean-Diesel-III kickoff meeting is scheduled for 21 October 1999. All clients are also invited to a dinner the evening of 20 October 1999. The project will start 1 November 1999 and continue for four years. Clients will make a commitment for the first year and then renew the commitment for the following three years.

Questions or comments regarding the Clean Diesel-III program should be directed to:

	Daniel W. Dickey, Director
	Engine Research Department
	Southwest Research Institute
	Phone: (210) 522-3657
	Fax: (210) 522-2019
	Email: ddickey@swri.org