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 |