Due to its very good efficiency, the compression-ignition engine has again become the “workhorse” of energy converters and has earned a leading role in many commercial applications that require the highest efficiency, robustness and economy while also subjecting the engine to high and continuous stress. Thanks to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing and new combustion processes, engines with auto-ignition can meet higher requirements in terms of pollutant and CO2 emissions. FVV researchers and developers establish the scientific basis for this and transform the knowledge gained into practical applications.

In the process, the research focuses are shifting away from gaining a basic understanding of technical matters – such as combustion process design – and towards optimising the overall powertrain system with regard to fuel consumption and emissions. Of key importance here is the question regarding suitable ways of achieving the CO2 targets set by legislators and, in the future, even complete climate neutrality. When using combustion engines, this can only be achieved by moving away from fossil fuels; as such, the interaction between powertrain and energy carrier and the coordination of combustion processes and fuel properties are gaining great importance as a research topic.
 

PG3 »Combustion CI« is dedicated to the following topics:

• Ultimate system efficiency
• Alternative fuels, hydrogen combustion
• Gas / dual-fuel engines
• Artificial intelligence in development, big data and digitalisation

And tackles the following lines of research / focuses:

• Combustion modelling / simulation
• New combustion processes, coatings, additive manufacturing
• Fuel distribution and preparation, high-pressure injection
• Spray diagnostics
• Air path / variable valve control
• Dual combustion processes