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Due to ever soaring fuel costs and even more stringent emission regulations which require more elaborate technical efforts and unfortunately lead to a negative trend on fuel economy as well, todays and future trucking business is extremely challenged. These facts create an urgent requirement for the engine manufacturer to offer an engine with an optimized cost-benefit-ratio for the trucking business. Mercedes-Benz, as the leader in the European commercial vehicle market - of which e. g. high fuel costs, long maintenance intervals and high engine power-to-weight ratios have always been key characteristics - has developed a new class 8 engine for the US market. The MBE 4000 is a 6 cylinder inline engine in the compact size and low weight category, but due to its displacement of 12,8 liters it offers high performance characteristics like heavier big block engines.

Combustion phenomena in the regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) were clarified through a visualization experiment, using a half-cylindrical wall-flow DPF covered by a quartz glass plate. At a constant oxygen concentration (8.5% and 10% in the current study) of a working gas used for regeneration, in the cases of large particulate masses and high working gas temperatures, the particulate matter trapped on the filter surface is burned in a narrow reaction zone which can be observed as a high brightness zone moving slowly toward the downstream side. Just after the reaction zone passes, a sharp temperature peak is detected and there remains no particulate matter on the filter surface. Furthermore, the particulate matter is ignited first around the middle of the DPF, and then, the reaction zone propagates toward both the upstream and the downstream sides.

This paper investigates the potential of using FEA poro-elastic Biot elements for the modeling carpet-like trim systems in a simplified setup. A comparison between FEA computations and experiments is presented for two layer (mass-spring) trim systems placed on a test-rig consisting in a 510×354×1.6 mm flat steel plate clamped in a stiff frame excited at its base. Results are presented for a given heavy layer with two different poro-elastic materials: one foam and one fibrous material. The investigations included accelerometer measurements on the steel plate, laser-doppler vibrometer scans of the heavy layer surface, sound pressure measurements in free field at a distance of 1 meter above the plate, as well as sound pressure in a closed rectangular concrete-walled cavity (0.5×0.6×0.7 m) put on top of the test-rig. Computations were carried out using a commercial FEA software implementing the Biot theory for poro-elastic media.

The main objective of engine 3D CFD simulation is nowadays the support for combustion design development. New combustion concepts (e.g. Low Temperature Combustion, HCCI, multiple injection strategies …) could be analyzed and predicted through detailed thermodynamical computation. To achieve this aim many simulation tools are needed: each of them has to be capable to reproduce the sensitivities of combustion design parameters through physically based models. The adopted approach consists of the coupling of different models for 3D-nozzle flow, orifice-resolved spray formation in Eulerian coordinates and combustion. The advantages of the method will be proofed on an operative DI-diesel truck engine case, run with different nozzle geometries.

The LEV II and SULEV/PZEV emission standards legislated by the US EPA and the Californian ARB will require continuous reduction in the vehicles' emission over the next several years. Similar requirements are under discussion in the European Union (EU) in the EU Stage V program. These future emission standards will require a more efficient after treatment device that exhibits high activity and excellent durabilty over an extended lifetime. The present study summarizes the findings of a joint development program targeting such demanding future emission challenges, which can only be met by a close and intensive co-operation of the individual expert teams. The use of active systems, e.g. HC-adsorber or electrically heated light-off catalysts, was not considered in this study. The following parameters were investigated in detail: The development of a high-tech three-way catalyst technology is described being tailored for applications on ultra thin wall ceramic substrates (UTWS).

This paper describes the results of a joint development program focussing on the introduction of the new generation of Pt/Rh-technology for current and future emission standards as a cost effective alternative to the in serial Pd/Rh based exhaust gas concepts. In the initial phase of the program combinations of Pd- and Pt-based three-way catalyst technologies were evaluated on vehicles equipped with a 8 cylinder engine. One goal in this portion of the study was to achieve technical equivalence between a viable Pd-based technology and the new Pt/Rh technology in the underfloor position at lower precious metal loading. A combination of a close-coupled Pd/Rh technology and the new Pt/Rh in the underfloor position was able to meet the emission targets at significant lower costs of the system after a catalyst aging that resembles more than 100.000 km of vehicle German highway driving.

The Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis (ITS-Davis) has brought together a group of public and industrial partners to demonstrate and evaluate the Siemens-Westinghouse Urea-Selective Catalyst Reduction System (SINOx™). The SINOx System has the potential to generate major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the volatile organic fraction (VOF) of particulate (PM) from heavy-duty diesel engines, without increasing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This demonstration began with engine bench testing at Detroit Diesel Corporation to calibrate the system to attain 1 g/bhp-hr NOx emissions in the transient portion of the US-FTP on a 1999 Series 60 engine that has a 4 g/bhp-hr emission level. The second phase of the project entails an on-highway demonstration of a set of ten, Freightliner Class 8 heavy-duty diesel vehicles. These vehicles are part of the Valley Material Transport fleet based in French Camp, California.

The present paper describes the results of a joint development program focussing on a system approach to meet the EURO IV emission standards for an upper class passenger car equipped with a newly developed high displacement gasoline engine. Based on the well known catalyst systems of recent V6- and V8-engines for the EURO III emission standards with a combination of close coupled catalysts and underfloor catalysts, the specific boundary conditions of an engine with an even larger engine displacement had to be considered. These boundary conditions consist of the space requirements in the engine compartment, the power/torque requirements and the cost requirements for the complete aftertreatment system. Theoretical studies and computer modeling showed essential improvements in catalyst performance by introducing thin wall substrates with low thermal inertia as well as high cell densities with increased geometric surface area.

For the BMW V8 engine, a new LEV/EU3 emission concept has been developed by improvements to the previous engine management and secondary air supply and a complete new exhaust system. Beside the emission limits, also high engine output targets and high operating reliability were targeted. In addition the new exhaust system had to meet low cost targets. Based on these requirements an exhaust concept with separate pre catalyst and main catalyst was chosen. To reduce the heat mass and to optimize the pressure drop, 4.3mil/400cpsi thin wall ceramic substrates were used for the pre and main catalyst.

Prototype selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems using urea have been demonstrated on diesel trucks in Europe in recent years. In view of upcoming stringent emissions control standards for US HD diesel engines, urea-SCR is being evaluated by US engine and truck manufacturers. The authors and their companies have worked jointly on a project to develop, test, and demonstrate urea-SCR on a US HD diesel engine and Class-8 truck. A prototype urea-SCR system was applied to a 12-liter HD diesel engine. The engine model selected is rated at 350 bhp and is common for highway trucks. The only engine modifications were changes to the injection timing control map in order to better suit the application of the urea-SCR system. This paper details two demonstration phases of the project as follows. The first phase includes recent emissions cell tests using a new compact SCR catalyst and an engine calibration optimized for lower NOX.

For the development of complex Man Machine Interfaces (MMI) we created an innovative development tool. With this system we gain significantly higher certainty in concept by earlier integration of the customer. Additional advantages are the reduction of development time and costs and an improvement of the MMI quality with regard to self-explaining operation for complex information systems.

Electronic control modules for engine control applications have an increasing number of power drivers. Most of them are switching in a PWM mode or synchronously with engine speed. Fast switching of load currents and voltages generates a noise in the lower AM band (150 kHz … 10 MHz) exceeding given limits for radiated emissions. The objective was to determine how the switching noise could be reduced by means of controlled current and/or voltage slopes. Finally ways were identified to implement appropriate voltage slope controls into a fully integrated quad low side driver ASIC. The paper will show results from practical measurements in the time and frequency domain as well as theoretical data to describe the switching behavior before and after implementation of the improvements A major result was that both current and voltage slope control are necessary to achieve best results. A special method of wave shaping was identified as the optimum.

This paper describes work supporting the development of a new Diesel particulate trap system for heavy duty vehicles based on porous sintered metal materials that exhibit interesting characteristics with respect to ash tolerance. Experimental data characterizing the material (permeability, soot and ash deposit properties) are obtained in a dedicated experimental setup in the side-stream of a modern Diesel engine as well as in an accelerated ash loading rig. System level simulations coupling the new media characteristics to 3-D CFD software for the optimization of complete filter systems are then performed and comparative assessment results of example designs are given.

For the measurement of exhaust emissions, Constant Volume Sampling (CVS) technology is recommended by legislation and has proven its practical capability in the past. However, the introduction of new low emission standards has raised questions regarding the accuracy and variability of the CVS system when measuring very low emission levels. This paper will show that CVS has the potential to achieve sufficient precision for certification of SULEV concepts. Thus, there is no need for the introduction of new test methods involving high cost. An analysis of the CVS basic equations indicates the importance of the Dilution Factor (DF) for calculating true mass emissions. A test series will demonstrate that, by adjusting the dilution and using state of the art analyzers, the consistency of exhaust results is comparable with those of LEV concepts, measured with conventional CVS systems and former standard analyzers.

To evaluate various Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) efficiently, accelerated tests are one of effective methods. In this study, a simulator composed by diesel fuel burners is proposed for fundamental DPF evaluations. Firstly particle size distribution measurement, chemical composition and thermal analysis were carried out for the particulate matter (PM) generated by the simulator with several combustion conditions. The PMs generated by specific conditions showed similar characteristics to PMs of a diesel engine. Through these investigations, mechanism of PM particle growth was discussed. Secondly diversified DPFs were subjected to accelerated pressure drop and filtration efficiency tests. Features of DPFs could be clarified by the accelerated tests. In addition, the correlation between DPF pressure drop performance and PM characteristics was discussed. Thirdly regeneration performance of the simulator's PM was investigated.

In view of tight emission standards, injection strategies to reduce raw HC-emissions during the cold starting of port fuel injected engines are evaluated in this study. The relevance of spray targeting and atomization is outlined in the first part of this paper. The foundation and performance of different injector concepts with respect to spray characteristics are discussed. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that concepts relying on auxiliary energy, such as air-assistance, fuel heating and injection at elevated system pressures, are capable of producing spray droplet sizes in the SMD-range of 25μm. For future injection strategies aimed at the compliance of SULEV emission levels, this target value is considered to be essential. In the second part of this paper, emission tests of selected injector concepts are carried out using a V6-3.2I ULEV engine operated both in a vehicle and on a test bench.

To fulfill future emission standards for diesel engines, combined after-treatment systems consisting of different catalyst technologies and diesel particulate filters (DPF) are necessary. For designing and optimizing the resulting systems of considerable complexity, effective simulation models of different catalyst and DPF technologies have been developed and integrated into a common simulation environment called ExACT (Exhaust After-treatment Components Toolbox). This publication focuses on a model for the NOx storage and reduction catalyst as a part of that simulation environment. A heterogeneous, spatially one-dimensional (1D), physically and chemically based mathematical model of the catalytic monolith has been developed. A global reaction kinetic approach has been chosen to describe reaction conversions on the washcoat. Reaction kinetic parameters have been evaluated from a series of laboratory experiments.

External Exhaust Gas Recirculation, EGR, is a central issue in controlling emissions in up-to-date diesel engines. An empirical model has been developed that calculates the EGR ratio as a function of the engine speed, the engine load and special characteristics of the heat release rate. It was found that three combustion characteristics correlate well with the EGR ratio. These characteristics are the ignition delay, the premixed combustion ratio and the mixing-controlled combustion ratio. The calculation of these characteristics is based on parameter subsets, which were determined using an optimization routine. The model presented was developed based on these optimized characteristics.

The objective of this study is to explain the physical and chemical mechanisms involved in the operation of a catalyzed diesel particulate filter. The study emphasizes on the coupling between reaction and diffusion phenomena (with emphasis on NO2 “back-diffusion”), based on modeling and experimental data obtained on the engine dynamometer. The study is facilitated by a novel multi-dimensional mathematical model able to predict both reaction and diffusion phenomena in the filter channels and through the soot layer and wall. The model is thus able to predict the species concentration gradients in the inlet/outlet channels, in the soot layer and wall, taking into account the effect of NO2 back diffusion. The model is validated versus engine dyno measurements. Two sets of measurements are employed corresponding to low-temperature “controlled” regenerations as well as high-temperature “uncontrolled” conditions.

The NO distribution in a directly-injected Diesel engine with realistic combustion chamber geometry was investigated with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) imaging with KrF excimer laser excitation. The highest possible level of selectivity has been ensured using spectrally resolved LIF investigations inside the Diesel engine. To minimize interference from both, oxygen and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) LIF the NO signal was detected around 237 nm, blue-shifted compared to the excitation wavelength resulting in a background contribution below 10% at the earliest detection timing possible in the engine under study (20°ca after top dead center, TDC). The in-cylinder NO LIF intensities were compared for different injection systems and operating conditions and correlated to variations in pressure traces and soot temperature measurements.