Automotive Engineering - December 2024 - 7

TECHNOLOGY REPORT
culminated in 2023 with testing of the
novel LPG components/systems on a
GM L8T engine. (Baseline engine is a
direct-injection, gasoline-fueled, 6.6-L
V8 designed for medium- and heavyduty
pickup trucks.)
A vapor lock inhibiting system - with
hardware and software strategies designed
and developed by Katech - ensures
LPG delivery to a Stanadynedeveloped
LPG direct-injection fuel
pump (which features a unique liquid
flow path design) and injector system
(including additional coatings on the
fuel injectors for greater wear resistance).
Testing confirmed that the LPG
system can deliver propane fuel at a
constant 350-bar pressure directly into
the engine while mitigating the potential
for vapor lock.
LPG typically offers an approximate 5
to 10% reduction in carbon dioxide
emissions when compared to traditional
diesel fuel. " There is a potential to leverage
rDME (renewable dimethyl
ether) blends and renewable propane
with this new technology to achieve
net-zero carbon emissions, " said Srinu
Gunturu, Stanadyne's chief engineer.
Technology is ready for the commercialization
of LPG direct-injection engines,
according to Gunturu.
Test cell shows the GM L8T with liquid propane components.
Emission controls
Three-way catalysts have been in the
marketplace since the 1970s and the
technology has evolved over the decades.
" We need catalysts that can
work at low temperature ranges as well
U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels production,
2001-2022
billion gallons
4
as be durable in high temperatures. This
is really an ongoing challenge - in a
good way - for us in our catalyst development, "
said Louise Arnold, product
line manager for Johnson Matthey, a
207-year-old company with 50-plus
years of emissions control expertise.
A next-generation three-way catalyst
2
from Johnson Matthey achieves a faster
light-off for improved emissions performance
and a 30% cost reduction for
PGM (platinum group metals). Arnold
also noted that particulate filter applications
for gasoline engines are revving
up. " This is established technology for
the European and China markets, so it's
exciting for us to start seeing this application
in North America, " Arnold said.
Nick Morley, Tenneco's engineering
biodiesel
renewable
diesel
other biofuels
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, February 2024
Note: Other biofuels include renewable heating oil, renewable jet fuel (sustainable aviation fuel), renewable naphtha and
gasoline, and other biofuels and biointermediates. Through 2020, also includes small amounts of biobutanol.
In 2022, 1.62 billion gallons of biodiesel, 1.50 billion gallons of renewable diesel, and 200 million
gallons of other biofuels were produced in the U.S.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
director for controls and advanced
technology, also mentioned three emissions-reduction
technologies: a fuel
burner, an electric heater, and a dual
dosing and advanced mixing system.
" It does depend on the test cycle, but
you can have CO2 neutrality with a
nearly 90% improvement in NOx with a
[fuel] burner, " Morley said.
Kami Buchholz
December 2024 7
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
FROM TOP: STANADYNE/KATECH; U.S. EIA

Automotive Engineering - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive Engineering - December 2024