Cummins trails ‘next leap forward in diesel engines’

Engine technology developer Cummins claims to be close to launching an emissions control system capable of achieving low NOx and CO2 emissions in diesel vehicles.

Premiering the technology at the IAA Commercial Vehicles event in Frankfurt this week, the company says the new development represents the ‘next leap forward in diesel engine evolution’.

Image released by Cummins of the ‘low NOx integrated system concept’

Diesel vehicles are largely seen as a major cause of air pollution in towns and cities — a factor which is thought to have contributed to a dip in sales of new diesel cars, particularly in the UK.

However, despite a shift away from diesel, car makers maintain that newer, cleaner models can have a positive impact on overall vehicle emissions.

Tim Proctor, Cummins’ executive director of product management & market innovation, said that the new technology is capable of minimising emissions to levels ‘previously thought unfeasible’.

Exhaust

According to Cummins the concept emissions control system combines “turbocharged air management” with exhaust after-treatment as a ‘single close-coupled system’, together with a new rotary turbine control (RTC).

This utilises “latest advances in air and thermal management to immediately convert almost all NOx emissions to clean gas as it interacts with the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit”, Cummins has claimed.

Mr Proctor added: “This innovative system allows further reduction in NOx and PM emissions, while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency.

“Other innovative technologies under development by Cummins to reduce friction and parasitic losses will also continue to make the diesel engine even more productive and energy efficient. Additionally, the use of enhanced design tools and advanced materials such as composites will bring opportunities to reduce component weight while retaining strength, further enhancing vehicle productivity.

“While Cummins has a vigorous electrification program underway, our other key message at IAA is that the diesel engine is not standing still. With our technical advancements, we see diesel remaining as the primary source of power in the commercial vehicle sector for the foreseeable future. Cummins is committed to ensuring the power of choice is available for our customer’s many different vehicle types, duty cycles and business requirements.”

Engineering firm Bosch is also bringing technology to market which it claims can ‘dramatically’ reduce NOx emissions, through a combination of advanced fuel-injection technology, a newly developed air management system and ‘intelligent’ temperature management (see airqualitynews.com story).