91抖阴

Researchers at the 91抖阴 and industry partners Ricardo have demonstrated that by storing and injecting liquid air into split-cycle engines, fuel consumption is reduced by up to 30 per cent while NOx fumes and particle emissions are also reduced.

The new technology would enable long-haul freight lorries to fully comply with inner-city emission restrictions, saving hauliers thousands of pounds per year. It also has potential cost-saving benefits for other diesel-fuelled industries including marine and rail.

Researchers say while the current trend for passenger cars is towards battery-powered vehicles, HGVs are hard to electrify. Batteries would take up more than half a long-distance truck’s payload, increasing costs and requiring yet more vehicles on the road to deliver the same quantity of goods.

Simon Brewster (left) and Dr Rob Morgan

Dr Rob Morgan, Reader in the university’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, and the lead researcher, said: “Even if a significant breakthrough in battery technology were achieved in the future, the strains on the recharging infrastructure and power grid may still be prohibitive.

“On any sensible scenario, diesel-fuelled power generation will be around for many years. Our research is a potential game-changer.”

The technology, called CryoPower, realises a new thermal-power engine cycle – air is compressed in one cylinder, then heated by burning a fuel and expanded in a second cylinder. By splitting these processes into separate cylinders, the engine is more efficient and can be controlled to minimise toxic emissions such as NOx.

Trials have produced a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption against the most fuel-efficient lorries and a 30 per cent reduction against the average fleet. Researchers estimate the new engine could bring an estimated fuel saving of £9,000 per annum per truck.

Dr Morgan said: “This recuperated split cycle engine can achieve world-leading levels of thermal efficiency which would massively reduce the use of fossil fuels in the short to medium term and the demand for precious renewable fuels in the long term.”

Ricardo, the global engineering, strategic and environmental consultancy and specialist manufacturer, based in Shoreham, West Sussex, has set up a new company Dolphin N₂ which plans to bring the technology to market within the next few years.

Simon Brewster, CEO of Dolphin N₂, said Ricardo has provided investment and the technology is protected by Intellectual Property Rights. He said: “The technology has been proven and is now ready for full product development and industrialisation.”