Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) News
Printer Friendly VersionSwRI benchmarking program to evaluate seven 2007 model year diesel engines
San Antonio -- October 31, 2006 -- Southwest Research Institute will evaluate seven new engines for the Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Benchmarking program, focusing particularly on the engine performance and fuel consumption associated with new exhaust emissions control technology. Manufacturers developed this new control technology, which uses the ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel now available nationwide, to meet 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions regulations.
Beginning in October 2006, SwRI will benchmark three light heavy-duty diesel engines from pickup trucks including the Cummins ISB used by Dodge, the Isuzu Duramax used in Chevrolet and GMC models, and the International PowerStrokeR V8 offered by Ford. Four heavy heavy-duty diesel engines will also be evaluated: the Caterpillar C15, Cummins ISX, Volvo D13 and DDC Series 60. Additional engines of interest may be added later in the year. The program already includes data from 10 previously benchmarked heavy-duty diesel engines.
"Diesel engine manufacturers are responding to the new EPA regulations by incorporating new exhaust aftertreatment systems compatible with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel," said Mike Ross, a program manager in the Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division. "These engines are expected to be quite different from their predecessors that met 2004 EPA regulations. It will be interesting to see how each OEM [original engine manufacturer] has addressed the fuel economy issue.
"We are looking at these engines because they represent a new level of emissions control technology. Currently, engine manufacturers individually perform competitive engine benchmarking. SwRI's program offers a cost-effective method for obtaining reliable data by pooling resources. We are a leader in the field of diesel engine benchmarking and technology development. SwRI also manages the Clean Diesel IV Consortium, which focuses on developing new diesel technologies."
The data sets for these engines will include a 200-point steady-state performance, heat rejection and gaseous emissions map; 22 speed/load points with combustion and particulate data; European Stationary Cycle (ESC) and U.S. FTP transient testing; constant-speed step load transient response tests; engine teardown; and cylinder head flowbench evaluations.
Subscribers may contract with the Institute on an individual basis to expand the scope of the program for additional measurements and evaluations.
As an independent, multidisciplinary research and development organization, SwRI provides an unbiased, third-party perspective. The SwRI Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division achieved certification to ISO 9001, an internationally recognized quality standard, and ISO 14001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems.
For more information or to subscribe, visit the SwRI website at benchmarking.swri.org or contact Ross at (210) 522-2690 or mross@swri.org. For more information about Clean Diesel IV, visit cleandiesel.swri.org or contact Dr. Thomas Ryan at (210) 522-3192 or tryan@swri.org.
For more information contact Tracey M.S. Whelan at (210) 522-2256, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, PO Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510.
