Performing engine test-bed tests for the development of combustion systems for large gas and diesel engines

For the development and optimization of combustion concepts for large gas and diesel engines, a single-cylinder research engine is operated at the Institute. This test-bed engine that corresponds to the full scale engine from GE Jenbacher AG in terms of all combustion-related components is excellently suited for fundamental analysis and pre-development tasks. The very extensive measuring technology is intended to further accelerate the development process The projects concerning large gas engines are carried out in co-operation with the LEC (Large Engines Competence Center) and GE Jenbacher. The engines being tested are used primarily for combined power and heat generation in cogeneration plants. Gases under investigation are natural gases, and special gases from gasification or fermentation processes. Concerning large diesel engines, a development of combustion is carried out to achieve future emission limits for locomotive engines. This project is a co-operation with GE Jenbacher and Bosch and is supported by the BRIDGE program of the FFG. In the United States, emission limits for locomotive engines exist since 1973. The limits US Tier II are valid since 2005; US Tier IV will be phased in from 2010 to 2015. In contrast, Europe has no emission limits for locomotive engines until now, only proposals of the UIC. The first emission limits will be introduced in 2009 with EU Stage III A. In 2012 Stage III B will become effective, which means a reduction of NOx to the half and of particulate mass to 10%. Focal topic of the research work of this year was the development of combustion to reach emission limits EU Stage III A. An important step was the application of a modern common rail injection system on the research engine.