Capacity and facilities to assist industry
Our facility is available to researchers and industry partners interested in conducting mid to large-scale research projects.
As part of our consultation services we use our state-of-the-art equipment to test fuels and additives.
For an indication of the type and scale of projects we conduct, refer to our projects.
Our partners
We’re a collaborative facility working closely with the energy sector, international and local research institutions and research funding bodies to investigate, use and invest in alternative and renewable fuels. We have a joint partnership with the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH) at QUT, which is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Air Quality and Health.
Equipment
We currently have three different diesel engines mounted on engine dynamometers, all specifically designed to accommodate different types of alternative fuels such as:
- biodiesel
- fumigated ethanol
- liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
- hydrogen
We have two new small engines (gasoline and diesel) to allow performance and emission testing of small quantities of fuel.
Our state-of-the-art testing instruments allow for full characterisation of engine performance and emissions. More physical and chemical analysis equipment is available through the Central Analytical Research Facility (CARF).
| Instrument | Capabilities and features |
|---|---|
| 1800 ml batch hydrothermal liquefaction reactor | 500°C, 350 bar, corrosion resistant hastelloy construction, variety of headspace gases, kinetic and catalytic studies, vertical or horizontal alignment, stirring option. |
| 18.5 l Parr reactor | Large size, 280°C. |
| Other Parr reactors | Variety of sizes from 50 ml to 18.5 L, stirred and unstirred. |
| Parr 6200 Isoperibol Bomb calorimeter | Analysis of pelletised solid and liquid samples for high heating value. |
| KSV Sigma 702 tensiometer | Determination of density and surface tension of liquid samples. |
| Brookfield DV-III ultra-programmable rheometer | Accuracy of the rheometer for viscosity measurements is ±1.0% of full scale range for a specific spindle running at a specific speed. |
| Elemental analysis micro (CHNS) | Solids. |
| Elemental analysis (CN) | Solids, liquid form of sample (up to 10 mg of sample). |
| HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography – carbohydrate column) | Various sugar analyses. |
| FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) | Chemical groups analysis. |
| GC-MS (Gas chromatography mass spectrometry) | Qualitative analysis of biofuels. |
Cummins ISBe220 31
This engine is typically used in medium sized trucks and represents technology from 1998-2002. The engine is a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a common rail injection system coupled to an electronically controlled water brake dynamometer. This engine research facility has the ability to program different test cycles that can be run automatically with 1 Hz data acquisition. The engine is equipped with multiple fuel facilities including biofuels and conventional petroleum diesel. It has full gas reticulation for use of Hydrogen, LPG, CNG and more.
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 6 (in-line) |
| Capacity | 5.9 L |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | 102 x 120 |
| Maximum power | 162 kW at 2000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 820 N-m at 1500 rpm |
| Compressions ratio | 17.3:1 |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Bore | 102 mm |
| Stroke length | 120 mm |
| Fuel injection | High pressure common rail (2000 bar) |
| Dynamometer type | Electronically controlled water brake dynamometer |
| Emission standard | Euro III |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
Perkins 1104C-44
This engine is typical of diesel technology from 1980-1990 and is commonly used in small transport vehicles and off-road applications including power generation. It is fitted with wet scrubber, certified for use in underground mines.
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 4 (in-line) |
| Capacity | 4.4 L |
| Maximum power | 64kW at 2400 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 302 N-m at 1400 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 19.25:1 |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Fuel injection | Direct injection with mechanical rotary distributor pump |
| Emissions certification | EU Stage II non-road, US EPA Tier 2 |
Waukesha CFR fuel research engine
The Waukesha CFR is a specialised engine for the measurement of octane rating of fuels. It is also suitable as a research engine to investigate gasoline substitute biofuels such as ethanol and biogas.
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Displaced volume | 611.7 cc |
| Stroke | 114.3 mm |
| Bore | 82.5 mm |
| Connecting rod | 254 mm |
| Compression ratio | Adjustable from 4:1 to 18:1 |
| Number of valves | 2 |
| Inlet valve open | 10 ± 2.5 °ATDC at 0.25 mm lift |
| Inlet valve close | 34 °ABDC at 0.25 mm lift |
| Exhaust valve open | 40 °BBDC at 0.25 mm lift |
| Exhaust valve close | 15 ± 2.5 °ATDC at 0.25 mm lift |
Contact us
If you are interested in using the facility or learning more about it, contact the Biofuel Engine Research Facility.