HEDGE®-II Consortium
High-Efficiency
Dilute
Gasoline Engine
Contact Information
Terrence F. Alger II, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Engine and Vehicle R&D
Engine, Emissions, & Vehicle Research
(210) 522-5505
talger@swri.org
The HEDGE®-II Consortium will end December 31, 2012. We will continue to post reports until they are completed. SwRI has begun to promote the next High-Efficiency Dilute Gasoline Engine (HEDGE®-III) Consortium. The web site for this new four-year program will be posted here soon.
The second High-Efficiency Dilute Gasoline Engine (HEDGE®-II) Consortium at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) was initiated to develop the enabling technologies required for gasoline engines to meet the performance, durability, and emissions requirements of future motor vehicles.
Large single-cylinder gasoline engine experimental results and predicted multi-cylinder performance
Cycle simulation comparison of gasoline and diesel engines in medium-duty applications
Emissions and fuel consumption trade-off
comparison for gasoline- and diesel-fueled
engines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) post-2010 emission standards are anticipated to be more stringent than those currently in place. With these projected lower emission levels, the efficiency and cost benefit of the diesel engine technology may be compromised to the point that gasoline engine technology will become competitive for both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles.
Objective of the HEDGE-II Consortium
The goal of the four-year HEDGE program is to develop the precompetitive technologies that will improve the efficiency and durability of gasoline-fueled engines. The program will culminate in the merging of necessary technologies to demonstrate efficiency and performance in an integration or demonstration engine.
High-Efficiency Dilute Gasoline Engine Research Projects
HEDGE-II projects focus on development of:
- Knock-resistant combustion chambers
- High-energy ignition approaches
- Strategies for high brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) operation
The use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a key element for eliminating throttling losses and mitigating engine knock.
Features of the EGR Approach
Key features of the use of the EGR approach include:
- High boost
- High BMEP
- Model-based control
- Intelligent, high-energy delivery ignition system development
Membership & Benefits of the HEDGE-II Consortium
SwRI has introduced the HEDGE-II consortium to a range of companies in Europe, Asia, and the United States, including:
- Light-duty engine manufacturers
- Heavy-duty engine manufacturers
- Component suppliers
- Oil and fuel companies
One advantage of consortium membership is that the impact of the yearly contribution is multiplied by the number of participants, providing substantially more research results than through funding from a single member. In addition, SwRI's internal research programs involving control algorithms and modified ignition and combustion concepts will be shared with consortium members.
Related Terminology
high-efficiency dilute gasoline engine • engine performance • engine durability • emission requirements • motor vehicles • EPA • emission standards • lower emission levels • diesel engine technology • gasoline engine technology • light-duty vehicles • heavy-duty engine manufacturers • knock-resistant combustion chambers • high-energy ignition • high brake mean effective pressure • BMEP • exhaust gas recirculation • EGR • component suppliers • oil and fuel companies
