AMBITION

The project will provide several key new knowledge and innovative technologies that will support the development of future high efficient and clean Spark Ignited GDI engines for post 2020 market introduction.

The two final demonstrator vehicles will represent the best combination of technologies, with a maturity level by TRL 7, ready to be finalized and validated for a quick market introduction, integrating an advanced after-treatment system covering also particles filtration down to 10 nm diameter.

The main scientific and technological objective of the project are the following:

• Development of two advanced high efficient and clean engine platforms one representative of the “small” size target (around 1.0 litre displacement) and the second of the “medium” size target (around 2.0 litre displacement).
• Study and development of new simulation models to predict nanoparticles and pollutant formation inside the combustion chamber, taking into account the different combustion approaches as well as the different charge dilution systems (exhaust gases or fresh air).
• Analysis and development of the after-treatment technologies, focusing on new GPF technologies targeting PN filtration down to 10 nm diameter (from TRL 4 to TRL 6); this in relationship with both 3-way catalyst for stoichiometric approach and lean burn aftertreatment systems.
  Provide demonstration of the overall targets through the realization of two full demonstrator vehicles that will be fully calibrated and assessed by independent testing, according to on road test procedures, using the available best representative PEMS (Portable Emission Measurement System) technology and considering also PN measurement below 23 nm diameter.

STRUCTURE

To fulfill the objectives of the projects, activities have been organized in two “horizontal” WorkPackages devoted to the deep analysis of nanoparticle formation inside the combustion chamber and the consequent development of technologies related to their control and filtration.

These two WorkPackages (WP1 and WP2) will support the development activities on the engines, especially in relationship with the optimization of the Gasoline Direct Injection system, and particularly the calibration process, thanks to the development of simulation models able to predict and to analyse the influence of single engine and operating conditions parameter.

At the same time, WP2 will also study and develop adapted technology solutions to updgrade Gasoline Particulate Filter to be effective also with nanoparticles down to 10 nm diameter.

Samples will be then transferred for integration to the two “vertical” WorkPackages (WP3 and WP4), where the specific engine solutions will be developed, calibrated, tested and transferred on the corresponding demonstration vehicles.

Vehicles will pass through a complete calibration process to enable an accurate execution of the performance and emissions assessment under Real Driving conditions, starting from roller chassis dynamometer measurement and going to on-road measurements using PEMS devices.

The final horizontal WorkPackage, WP5, will be devoted to the final assessment of the demonstrator vehicles, based on the independent testing carried out with the external collaboration of JRC (Ispra), as well as to the final considerations about the costs of the solutions and the guidelines concerning the potential future evolution towards challenging but feasible and sustainable emission targets.