The PRC has industry standard emissions and performance measurement capabilities.
Our cells have access to measurement of all legislated emissions (including particulate number and distribution).
Computational studies are also performed, using Kiva-3v release 2 CFD code, to acquire a useful insight on spatial and temporal variation of quantities which control combustion and pollutant formation.
View more information about our soot diagnostics suite
Facilities
Antonino La Rocca working in the soot diagnostics suite.
Includes a new 460kW transient dynamometer current fitted with a Volvo D8 8 medium duty diesel (320bhp common rail) in use for automotive, marine and genset applications. The engine is retrofitted for dual fuel operation (liquid and gas injection) and transient fuel flow measurement
Test cell 2 includes a 250kW steady state eddy-current dynamometer (also available for commercial project work)
Houses a new optical single cylinder engine (bottom end based on the Ford Eco Boost Spark Ignition engine). The engine is currently equipped with the MAHLE Jet Ignition combustion system but can be swapped to central direct fuel injection and/or port fuel injection capability. The engine is boosted (up to 4 bar) and can be operated on multiple fuels.
Engine test cell 3
Test cell 4 houses a new optical single cylinder engine (bottom end based on the Ford Eco Boost Spark Ignition engine). The engine is currently equipped with the MAHLE Jet Ignition combustion system but can be swapped to central direct fuel injection and/or port fuel injection capability. The engine is boosted (up to 4 bar) and can be operated on multiple fuels.
Houses a Ricardo Hydra diesel single cylinder fitted with common rail direct fuel injection and external EGR. The engine is boosted (up to 4 bar).
Ford Eco Boost with cylinder deactivation.
Engine test cell 6
Includes a 190kW eddy current dyno (currently vacant
Test cell 7
Test cell 9 contains a prototype gasoline engine that is being used to investigate fuel consumption reduction techniques.
A single cylinder engine with capability to change the offset between piston and crank axis is installed to test cell 10.
Engine test cell 10
A 1.4l gasoline engine within a cold chamber occupies test cell 12. The chamber can be cooled down to -20°C to simulate cold starts. The engine is run on ethanol/gasoline blended fuel to study cold starting performance. The engine has various hardware modifications to improve cold start ability and reduce emissions.
Engine test cell 12
Rig Room 1
Is currently housing a unique motored bearing rig with unique optical access to the bearing shell. Currently being used for direct consultancy work with a major energy company on cavitation in bearings.
Diesel spray combustion
Fuel spray characteristics can be assessed in an optically accessible combustion vessel.
Motoring chain wear rig
Tickford test rig is available to evaluate camshaft chain and tensioner component performance.
Soot diagnostics suite
New characterisation tools have been developed by the group allowing for insight into the fundamental the understanding of exhaust and soot-in-oil characteristics and the effects of particular matter on oil properties. A collaboration with Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nmRC) provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise for research on soot morphology, transfer mechanisms and agglomerate behaviour in lubricant oil.
Simulation
We have full access to existing industry standard tools to allow evaluation of vehicle performance, with examples including GT-SUITE, FLUENT
and ANSYS. We also have a number of bespoke simulation tools for analysis of thermal systems including IC engines and batteries.