Low Emission Diesel Engines

65445 Consumption of diesel fuel and gasoline have led to significant dependence on foreign fuel as well as increased carbon dioxide emissions with the associated concern for global warming. Diesel engines are much more fuel efficient than spark/gasoline engines, but unfortunately diesel engines produce high NOx emissions. This has been addressed by a process known as exhaust gas recycle (EGR), which lowers NOx emissions by 50%; however, it also reduces engine life and puts significant stress on the cooling system. This project will utilize high productivity membranes in a combination with modest engine design changes to produce nitrogen-enriched air (cold/clean ERG) with overall NOx emissions reduced by 85% and little change in other emissions. The productivity from these membranes is sufficiently high to allow systems to be placed under the hoods of trucks. Using a single cylinder engine, Phase I demonstrated that the synergy of nitrogen enriching membranes and the unique combustion process can lead to 80-90% NOx reduction with no significant change in other emissions. In parallel, a viable route to large-scale membrane manufacture was established. Phase II will improve the membrane fabrication and engine design. The combustion process will be assessed over the full engine map and validated as a system. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The initial commercial focus will be for heavy duty diesel trucks that can meet the EPA regulation of 80-90% NOx reductions. Passenger vehicles should be a second tier opportunity.