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Interest from Ghent University (B) in H2020-Transport Call

Project ideas

Specific topics of interest

We are interested in the following topics.

GV.6 - 2015. Powertrain control for heavy-duty vehicles with optimised emissions – as of 2014

Project ideas

Demonstrating the application of alternative fuels such as methanol (producible from natural

gas as well as renewable sources, and liquid so much easier to distribute and store), through

engine test bench measurements or the support of a party converting engines to alternative

fuel operation

Delivering fundamental data on combustion properties of alternative fuels and/or dual fuel

operation, for modelers, using our constant volume combustion chamber setup

Developing simulation tools for engines operating on alternative fuels or dual fuel engines,

for fast and cheap optimization of the engine settings, or for engine integration

Measuring local instantaneous heat flux in engines to support engine development,

modeling, control etc.

We are also open to other project ideas that link to our expertise detailed below.

Partner profile

Expertise

The research group Transport Technology of the Department of Flow, Heat and Combustion

Mechanics at Ghent University is specialized in internal combustion engines. The group’s research is

focused on the in-cylinder processes (spray formation, combustion, heat transfer, emission

formation), particularly for:

alternative fuels for spark ignition engines, such as hydrogen, ethanol, methanol and

alcohol-gasoline blends;

alternative fuels for compression ignition engines such as straight vegetable oils, animal fats

and waste-derived fuels;

optimization of medium high speed marine engines through in-cylinder measures

This research is done on three levels:

fundamental: determination of fuel combustion properties needed for engine models,

experimental: measurement of engine characteristics on engine test benches, optimization

in terms of power output, efficiency and emissions; demonstration of the potential of new

fuels

numerical: development of simulation tools to aid in the optimization of engine settings

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The group is headed by Prof. Sebastian Verhelst. He obtained his PhD in 2005 and was appointed

part-time lecturer in alternative fuels for internal combustion engines in October 2008. Since October

2011 he obtained a full-time tenured position as Associate Professor of internal combustion engines.

Resources & infrastructure

The group’s facilities include 5 engine dyno’s, ranging from 45kW to 260kW, including DC electric

machines, an eddy current dyno and Froude water brakes. 4 engine test benches are currently used

for the experimental work: 2 single cylinder engines for gaseous or liquid fuels, 1 four-cylinder bi-fuel

engine (liquid or gaseous fuel) and 1 six-cylinder diesel truck engine. All are fully instrumented in

terms of cylinder pressure, temperature and gaseous emissions measurements. 2 additional engines

are presently being mounted: 1 automotive turbocharged DI gasoline engine and 1 automotive

common-rail diesel engine.

The group also has a worldwide unique setup, the GUCCI setup (for Ghent University Combustion

Chamber I), a constant-volume combustion chamber setup, which allows visualization of flame

propagation, spray formation and auto-ignition processes at engine-like conditions. It is unique for its

relatively large volume (4,1 liter), allowing to mount marine diesel injectors; as well as for its fuel

preheating system allowing highly viscous fuels to be tested.

The group has developed a multi-zone thermodynamic engine model in-house, the GUEST code (for

Ghent University Engine Simulation Tool), for the numerical work. Commercial engine simulation

software such as GT-Power and LMS AMESim is also used.

Accomplishments

Converted several gasoline and diesel engines for operation on methanol, ethanol, hydrogen,

…

Demonstrated the power, efficiency and emissions potential of engines running on

methanol, hydrogen, alcohol-water blends and alcohol-gasoline blends

6 multiyear research projects successfully finished, 5 other currently running

Authored over 50 papers in international scientific journals, 5 book chapters and 90

conference papers.

4 running PhD theses, 4 completed PhD theses

Several invitations for keynote speeches, special issue papers, workshops, topical reviews, …

Industrial and academic Network We are strongly connected to ABC, Anglo Belgian Corporation, a manufacturer of medium speed

engines for marine, rail and genset application. At the latest CIMAC congress, our joint paper “The

CRISTAL Engine: ABC's New Medium Speed Diesel Engine, Developed to Comply with IMO III”

received the CIMAC President’s Award.

We have other relevant industrial links, e.g. originating from the following accomplishments:

Co-authors of our publications include BMW, Toyota, Ford, Lotus, Anglo Belgian Corporation,

Argonne National Lab, TU Graz, University of Oxford, Lund University, Leeds University, NTU

Athens, …

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S. Verhelst is President of the Belgian society of automotive engineers, UBIA, since 2010 (vice

president since 2007)

S. Verhelst is a member of the local organizing committee of the FISITA World Automotive

Congress 2014, and vice-chair of the Congress Scientific&Technical Committee

Administrative information and contact details Ghent University

Department of Flow, Heat and Combustion Mechanics

Transport Technology research group

Prof. Sebastian Verhelst

sebastian.verhelst@UGent.be

+32 9 264 3306

url: http://users.ugent.be/~sverhels