Horse, a low-emission powertrain systems provider, has announced that it will commence production of its 1.3-liter Turbo Flex Fuel engine at its plant in Curitiba, Brazil, in 2025. The HR13 engine will follow in the footsteps of the HR10 – the 1.0-liter engine already manufactured at Horse’s Curitiba plant, which can produce 500,000 engines annually.

Both these powerplants are developed for the South American market and they can be run on gasoline and sustainable ethanol. Furthermore, these engines are also Proconve L7-compliant (equivalent to Euro 6d) and are on track to be certified for the upcoming L8 standards.

The 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit (HR10) develops 125ps (92kW) and 220Nm of torque, while the bigger 1.3-liter four-cylinder unit (HR13), is rated for 170ps (125kW) and 270Nm of peak torque. Both these powerplants feature a F1-inspired Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating for the moving parts of the cylinder head as well as the piston rings and pins to minimize friction and increase fuel economy.

Guillaume Tuffier, director of powertrain strategy and advanced engineering at Horse Powertrain Solutions, said, “Producing HR10 and HR13 in Brazil is a perfect example of us taking advantage of local expertise to cater to local demand. With outstanding driving characteristics, seamless dual fuel running and exceptional quality, the HR10 and HR13 are ideal engines for the Brazilian market.”

The first-ever Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Virtual ‘Live’ – a brand-new, two-day, online conference dedicated exclusively to discussing and debating the future of gasoline, diesel and alternative-fuel IC engines – has been acclaimed a resounding success by attendees, speakers and sponsors alike.

Over 1,950 attendees registered to take part, exchanging more than 1,200 messages while discovering the latest developments and case studies from over 50 expert speakers and six sponsors.

After a highly challenging and disruptive 2020, this exclusive online event offered a convenient, safe and secure platform for automotive engineers and powertrain professionals to connect and engage with speakers and suppliers to discuss the research and technology essential for future ICE development.

Delivered by UKi Media & Events – publisher of Engine + Powertrain Technology International and organizer of the Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Symposium – Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Virtual ‘Live’ took place on February 3 & 4, 2021, and featured speakers from Danfoss, Cummins, FEV, Ford, Mahle Powertrain, Sustainable Fuels and IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems, among others.

Dedicated sessions across the two days included: Post-Pandemic Automotive Industry; Engine Development Beyond the Bounds of Current Technology; Effective Lubricants; The Transition to Euro 7 and Reduction in CO2  Emissions; Diesel Powertrains; Heavy-Duty Vehicles; Future Mobility; Advanced Components and Materials; and Stepping Away From Fossil Fuels.

Overall, attendees particularly welcomed the opportunity to discover the latest trends and innovations, to network before, during and after the conference, and to view presentations for up to three months after the event.

“It was a great idea to realize a conference during these difficult times,” said Joerg Jorzick, head of new acquisitions at Oerlikon Balzers Coating Germany GmbH. “It was very helpful for making new contacts and hearing about new technologies. Thank you.”

“This event provided some excellent insight into IC engines versus EV,” noted Gerry Marchese, general manager, Niagara Piston Inc.

“The online conference provided a very good idea of where the future of IC engines is heading,” added Bart Schreurs, chief technologist, BorgWarner.

“This was a great event,” concluded Carlo Locci, global application specialist, Siemens.

Next week (February 3 & 4, 2021) will see the first-ever Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Virtual ‘Live’, a free-to-attend, two-day, online conference set to reveal how the traditional automotive powertrain has a long future ahead of it when developed and advanced beyond its current brief and design constraints. The conference features expert speakers from Danfoss, Cummins, FEV, Ford and Mahle Powertrain, among many others.

Brought to you by the publisher of Engine+Powertrain Technology International and the organizer of The Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Symposium, the virtual conference takes place next Wednesday and Thursday, February 3 and 4, 2021, providing participants with a fantastic opportunity to network and share experiences, ask questions and discuss important industry developments.

Staged after a highly challenging and disruptive year, this exclusive event will provide a much-needed platform for engineers and engine developers to engage with speakers and suppliers about the research and technology that are essential for sustainable ICE development, and present future concepts and technologies for the IC engine.

Dedicated sessions across the two days include Post-Pandemic Automotive Industry; Engine Development Beyond the Bounds of Current Technology; Effective Lubricants; The Transition to Euro 7 and Reduction in CO2 Emissions; Diesel Powertrains; Heavy-Duty Vehicles; Future Mobility; Advanced Components and Materials; Stepping Away From Fossil Fuels – all followed by live discussions and Q&A.

With speakers drawn from across the industry, participants can look forward to an insight-packed agenda, with Ewa Abramiuk-Lété, secretary general of Sustainable Fuels; Professor Sam Akehurst of IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems; Graham Conway, principal engineer at Southwest Research Institute; and Punch Torino’s program manager and chief engineer Roberto Golisano just some of those due to present this February.

Click here to view the full program and speaker list. Register – for FREE – now!

The engine industry’s most important conference opens next week (Wednesday, February 3), providing a much-needed dedicated online platform to network, connect, learn and discuss how the traditional ICE powertrain should be developed and advanced beyond its current brief and design constraints to ensure a long and prosperous future.

The free-to-attend, two-day Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Virtual ‘Live’ (February 3 and 4, 2021) will see expert speakers explore future concepts and technologies for the IC engine.

Dedicated sessions across the two days include Post-Pandemic Automotive Industry; Engine Development Beyond the Bounds of Current Technology; Effective Lubricants; The Transition to Euro 7 and Reduction in CO2 Emissions; Diesel Powertrains; Heavy-Duty Vehicles; Future Mobility; Advanced Components and Materials; Stepping Away From Fossil Fuels – all followed by live discussions and Q&A.

Participants can expect a highly rewarding and insightful exchange of ideas, with live interaction and networking fully enabled and encouraged during the event, which will take place online for maximum safety and convenience. Here are just a few of the highlights in store:

The role of the internal combustion engine in a net-zero future

Ian Constance, CEO of the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre, will explore the opportunity for the internal combustion engine in a post-pandemic world, including the need to understand the opportunities and challenges facing our sector in the quest to deliver net-zero carbon targets. The internal combustion engine is likely to remain an important part of the solution as we decarbonize, but how does it fit within the mix and how should strategic priorities be considered?

Combustion engines can outperform electric cars and achieve negative emissions

Dulob is developing one important part of the puzzle: a new patented thermodynamic cycle that will achieve diesel efficiency at just 10% of the diesel top pressure. This has the potential to solve NOx and particle problems, reveals Bengt Ovelius, CTO and founder of Dulob Innovations. The second part of the puzzle is interesting for every engine manufacturer. Mathematical analysis indicates that atmospheric methane has the potential to generate electricity for the entire EU, and fuel for cars and aviation. A reduction from 1.8ppm to 0.8ppm brings the atmosphere back to the year 1700. This reduces the greenhouse effect more than the sum of present global environmental policies.

Mahle passive jet ignition for high-efficiency and high-performance gasoline engine applications

As part of the ‘Engine Development Beyond the Bounds of Current Technology’ session on Wednesday, February 3, Dr Mike Bassett, chief engineer at Mahle Powertrain, will discuss the pre-chamber-based jet ignition concept, which produces jets of partially combusted species that induce ignition in the main combustion chamber, enabling rapid, stable combustion. Dr Bassett shows how passive jet ignition, combined with high compression ratio, Miller cycle and EGR can provide high-efficiency engine operation. The ability of passive jet ignition to also enable whole map λ=1 operation for high-specific-power applications is also discussed.

Future transportation without the internal combustion engine?

Hear two Ford leaders – director of global engine engineering Frank Abkenar and research and advanced engineering manager Carsten Weber – discuss the future of the internal combustion engine. Based on the fundamental laws of thermodynamics, the undiminished increase in the total engine efficiency is limited. This moves ‘what to burn’ instead of ‘how to burn’ into the center of interest. A very promising alternative to classic fuels based on fossil sources is the use of sustainable fuels produced on the basis of renewable energy. The majority of the next-generation propulsion systems will continue to have an internal combustion engine as an integral part of an electrified system to ensure the best compromise regarding performance, operating range, cleanliness and cost. Therefore, the ongoing optimization of the internal combustion engine is essential for the future of automotive propulsion systems.

Pathways for next-generation diesel engines toward beneficial participation in sustainable mobility and transportation

Improved environmentally friendly – especially low-GHG-emitting – powertrain systems are required for future personal mobility and transportation. Since the release of the new European CO2 targets – which set ambitious reduction requirements – multifaceted developments have been initiated to meet them. In addition, the short-term achievement of extremely challenging real-world pollutant emission standards requires that these emissions be reduced to near-zero level. Further optimization of the classical ICE fuel specifications and properties – as well as an increased level of tailored powertrain electrification – provides good potential to simultaneously achieve these parallel targets. During the ‘Diesel Powertrains’ session, Thomas Körfer, group vice president – diesel powertrains business unit, FEV Group, will share his thoughts on how to achieve light-duty diesel engines that meet future market demands with near-zero pollutant emission behavior and superior GHG emission performance.

Click here to view the full program and speaker list. Register – for FREE – now!

The brand-new Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Symposium, which will be held June 16, 17 and 18, 2020, at ICS, Messe Stuttgart, Germany, has just published its preliminary program, revealing the speakers and topics already secured for this summer’s hottest ticket. The symposium will discuss and debate the future of gasoline, diesel and alternative fuel IC engines, and highlight how the traditional automotive powertrain has a long future ahead of it when it is developed and advanced beyond its current role.

Expert speakers – each sourced by the publishers of Engine + Powertrain Technology International magazine – will present future concepts and technologies for the IC engine. You’ll also hear about IC possibilities from pioneering startups and market analysts, and legislators and emission-standard key decision makers. Here are just some of the must-see presentations announced in the preliminary program:

Dr Wissam Bou Nader, research and development engineer – advanced research and innovation projects, Groupe PSA, will give a presentation titled: Overall efficiency optimization of a combined-cycle machine for a range-extended electric vehicle: methodology and testing of ICE coupled to WHR system. Waste heat recovery (WHR) systems constitute a promising solution for reducing vehicle fuel consumption in order to meet the CO₂ regulation targets by 2025. Overall efficiency optimization of a combined cycle machine consisting of a reciprocating internal combustion engine (ICE) and a bottoming WHR system for a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) is studied. A methodology is proposed to improve the overall operational efficiency for such a combined-cycle machine, and the application’s different systems could be integrated in REEV.

What are the opportunities and technologies for IC engines in a net-zero CO₂ and zero-emissions future? Prof Sam Akehurst of the IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems and the UK’s University of Bath, will address this. Even the most optimistic projection for BEV and PHEV uptake has 57% market penetration by 2040, based on annual sales. Of that, ~15% will be PHEV fitted with an internal combustion engine, meaning that the majority of vehicles sold in 2040 will still feature an internal combustion engine. Therefore it is essential that we continue to consider all opportunities to minimize IC engine emissions and pathways to reducing the CO₂ footprint of future vehicles. This presentation will give an overview of potential pathways to net-zero CO₂ and near-zero emissions at the tailpipe, including novel engine topologies, advanced combustion concepts, future fuels and complete powertrain energy management. Synergies between electrification and IC engine optimization will be highlighted as potential pathways to significantly increase IC engine efficiency.

The debate between hydrogen ICE and fuel cells continues: Dr Carlo Locci, global application specialist: hydrogen fuel cells at Siemens PLM will use numerical modeling to explore the dilemma. Hydrogen is seen as one of the main energy vectors of the future. Such technology still faces several challenges in terms of both production/storage and usage. In the automotive sector, hydrogen can be used in internal combustion engines and fuel cells. The two systems are extremely different in terms of efficiency and performance. In this presentation, the two technologies are discussed and analyzed from the numerical modeling perspective.

Electrification offers strong advantages for many but falls a long way short of fulfilling all of society’s mobility requirements, says Paul Freeland, principal engineer, Cosworth Limited. Electrification offers some strong advantages for many transport applications in reducing CO2 and localized polluting emissions, but falls a long way short of fulfilling all of society’s requirements for social and business mobility. This presentation takes an independent, pragmatic approach to what is really required to achieve the targets laid out in the 2015 Paris Agreement, and looks at what can be achieved with technology as we know it to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere and improve local air quality issues.

A presentation by Dr Graham Conway, principal engineer at the Southwest Research Institute, will discuss some of the challenges of battery electric vehicles today and why they should not be called zero emissions. The talk also discusses how scaling batteries for larger applications such as trucks, ships and planes has many challenges. There will also be discussion of the flaws in industry measurements of CO₂, and why lifecycle analysis is critical. Finally, the presentation will examine the role that electrification can have in unlocking further potential in the ICE. The summary is that the ICE will be around for a long time – it will adapt, evolve and survive.

Dr Peter Kelly Senecal, owner and vice president of Convergent Science, argues that a mix of propulsion technologies is the way forward for the future fleet. Transportation today is almost exclusively powered by the internal combustion engine (ICE). Although engines have become considerably cleaner and more efficient over the past few decades, human health and environmental concerns have led several governments around the world to propose bans on diesel and gasoline cars. The electrification of transportation, while often touted as the only way to mitigate vehicle emissions, comes with its own set of concerns and challenges that must be considered when developing future transportation technologies. Furthermore, there is still significant untapped potential in ICE concepts and the fuels they use. This presentation argues that hybrid systems are the fastest way to reduce CO₂ emissions from vehicles and that, when judged on a lifecycle basis, the vehicle technology with the least environmental and health impact is highly region dependent. Therefore, a mixture of transportation technologies is necessary in the future fleet.

The Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Symposium (rates apply) takes place June 16-18, in Stuttgart. Book your pass for the Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Symposium, the international conference dedicated to the future of internal combustion engines, here.

The first speakers have been announced for this June’s brand-new Sustainable Internal Combustion Engine Symposium (SICES), which will discuss and debate the future of gasoline, diesel and alternative-fuel IC engines. The event takes place in Stuttgart, Germany, 16-18 June, alongside Automotive Testing Expo and the Global Automotive Components and Suppliers Expo.

First speakers include Paul Freeland, principal engineer, Cosworth Limited, who will present a paper titled ‘Electrification offers strong advantages for many but falls a long way short of fulfilling all of society’s mobility requirements‘; Dr Phil Roberts, principal engineer Horiba MIRA Ltd, who will present ‘RDE Plus – a road to rig development methodology for whole-vehicle RDE compliance‘; and Thomas Körfer, group vice president – diesel powertrains business unit, FEV Group, who will present ‘Pathways for next-generation diesel engines toward beneficial participation in sustainable mobility and transportation‘.

Professor Sam Akehurst at the University of Bath’s Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems  will present ‘Opportunities and technologies for IC engines in a net-zero CO² and zero-emissions future‘; while Simon Williams, real driving emissions operations leader at Mahle Powertrain Ltd will present ‘Powertrain development methods for Euro 7‘.

In total, the symposium is expected to host over 100 expert speakers – each sourced by the publishers of Engine + Powertrain Technology International magazine – who will present future concepts and technologies for the IC engine. Delegates can expect to meet senior engineers and futurists from the world’s car manufacturers, as well as Tier 1 companies and international research institutes. Pioneering startups, market analysts, legislators and emission-standard key decision makers will also feature across a series of panel discussions designed to foster debate and encourage knowledge sharing.

To see the latest speakers, click here.  To book your pass (early booking discount currently available), click here. Interested in speaking at this event? Submit your paper, here.

On day two of the Path Towards Euro 7 Conference, held at the 2019 Engine Expo + The Powertrain Technology Show in Stuttgart, Andrew Atkins, chief technology engineer at Ricardo, has slammed the automotive industry and claimed that it needs a more lifecycle-based approach to improving the air pollution from liquid fuel powertrains.

The moderation of the impact of transport has mainly been driven via tailpipe emissions measurement and as a result has led to a push for the end of powertrain systems that feature a tailpipe, but Atkins believes that a lifecycle approach is important. “There is obviously scrutiny around tailpipe emissions, but we need to look at the supply chain. We can’t have ten-year-olds dying digging up cobalt.”

While regulations continue to penalize tailpipe emissions, Atkins believes that the target for OEMs should be to focus on a more rounded development picture. “We need to decarbonize the fuel; we need to make highly efficient engines that have less effect on people’s health with the pollutants, both while in use and in the supply chain.

“Resources are becoming scarcer and scarcer, and one of those key resources is energy in the correct form for the application that we’re looking for,” added Atkins. “Health, economic well-being and environmental sustainability need to be balanced during development. All the technologies that we’re now looking at are being looked at with this balance of requirement.”

The Powertrain Testing Conference, held at the 2019 Engine Expo + The Powertrain Technology Show in Stuttgart, saw Dr Byron Mason, senior lecturer in advanced propulsion at Loughborough University, detail the benefits that an analytical, robust, multi-objective dynamic optimization approach can have in the quest for greater engine performance for real-world driving.

According to Mason, his work determining the dynamic variable valve timing calibration of a downsized 1.0-liter SI engine has shown that the current calibration approaches fail to consider system time-dependent behavior (dynamics).

“Through dynamic characterization we are able to significantly reduce test times. It is a far faster process compared to the conventional approach,” said Mason. “The optimization approach that we developed doesn’t give you the best option, it gives you a number of best options, which can then be chosen from.”

The simulation results produced by Mason and his team, when looking at the valve timing calibration of a downsized 1.0-liter SI engine, highlighted the dominance of both fuel and NOx objectives, showing notably reduced fuel consumption and engine-out NOx emissions.

Overall, Mason found that the experimental results confirm that NOx emissions can be reduced with no detriment to fuel economy over the transient investigated.

Nostrum Energy has introduced its revolutionary new water injection control system at Engine Expo + The Powertrain Technology Show, which will enable developers to meet upcoming Euro 7 emissions targets while maintaining an engine’s performance, without overfuelling. Since introducing the technology, Nostrum has had interest from numerous OEMs, Nostrum’s director of engineering, Sam Barros, reported.

“With Euro 7, overfuelling will be legislated out and there has been research to suggest that there will be about a 20% de-rating on engine power when manufacturers and calibrators are no longer able to rely on excess fuel for exhaust gas temperature control,” he explained.

“The system enables the delivery of octane on demand to the engine by injecting water, enabling the performance envelope of the engine on regular fuel to be raised. It is also a key enabling technology for eliminating the overfuelling that engines rely on today for performance protection.”

Nostrum’s technology uses only a small amount of water injection to control exhaust gas temperature, with up to a 300°C temperature decrease, depending on the fuel ratio.

“We began developing the system eight years ago, but at that time it was essentially an efficiency product. We were using water injection as an enabler for very high compression ratios. It didn’t get a lot of traction with OEMs though; they were interested but skeptical that it wouldn’t work in a mass production vehicle,” Barros commented.

“Then four years ago BMW launched a water-injected vehicle, which was the best thing that could have happened for us because it got the OEMs talking to us again about the technology.”

Unnaryd Modell was at Engine Expo + The Powertrain Technology Show to demonstrate its impressive capabilities in the manufacture of die-casting, as well as the company’s expansion into rapid prototyping and small-series production of cast aluminum and iron alloy parts.

The Swedish company now has a number of core competences, including the ability to deliver complex geometry prototypes in cast aluminum or iron, milling engine components with 16 CNC machines in different sizes, and an ability to manufacture production parts on a scale between 20 and 500 pieces per year.

Daniel Larsson, managing director for Unnaryd Modell, said: “The company is really special because we closely cooperate with Ages Casting Unnaryd, which is based in the same Swedish town of Unnaryd.

“There, we are able to offer production of aluminum components for the automotive industry in large numbers using high-pressure die-casting. Together, the two companies can manage the process from the prototype stage for initial testing, to the mass production of the component.”