IFP Powertrain News

WHAT'S NEW

IFPEN is a partner in IEED VeDeCoM, a prize-winning project within the French "Investments for the future" program and a future benchmark for sustainable private mobility

The IEED VeDeCoM (Véhicule Décarboné Communicant et sa Mobilité - low-carbon intelligent transportation systems) project, that has just been selected by the General Commission for the French "Investments for the future" program, aims to simultaneously invent new types of mobility and new vehicles. The project will lead to the necessary and sustainable breakthroughs required to improve the energy efficiency of private transport, giving priority to urban and suburban zones. It will bring together a set of skills unique in the world and is likely to become the benchmark for the new sustainable private mobility sector.

The VeDeCoM project is one of the 6 projects being conducted by the Instituts d'exellence sur les énergies décarbonées (IEED - Excellence Institutes in the field of low-carbon energies) in which IFP Energies nouvelles is participating.

For further information:
>> www.fondation-moveotec.com
Press releases (in French): IEED VeDeCoM laureat du Programme Investissements Avenir (PDF - 90 Ko) / Investissement d'avenir (PDF - 210 Ko)

IFPEN playing a key role in collaborative research in the field of electric vehicles

IFPEN, a partner in two projects conducted within ADEME's Demonstrator Fund for "Low-carbon vehicles"

Velroue: a commercial vehicle equipped with a dual ICE-electric motor system

This project was coordinated by Renault and conducted in partnership with Michelin and IFPEN. In particular, it involved testing a new dual-mode commercial vehicle concept using a Renault Kangoo.

The vehicle has two operating modes: an electric mode thanks to the integration of two electric motors close to the rear wheels, for urban driving, and a hybrid IC mode thanks to a conventional powertrain, for use outside cities.
ADEME (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency) considered this particularly innovative vehicle to be ready for industrial production, for more energy-efficient day-to-day mobility.

ELLISUP : Autobus ELectrique à batteries au LIthium et SUPercapacités - Electric bus with lithium batteries and supercapacitors

Led by IRISBUS-IVECO and its partners - MICHELIN, EDF, CEA, ERCTEEL, RECUPYL, RATP, INRETS and IFPEN, the ElLiSup project tested two types of demonstrator vehicles: a first plug-in hybrid bus fitted with batteries that are adapted for recharging at the end of each route, and a second standard-size all-electric bus with associated running costs similar to that of a diesel vehicle.
The electric demonstrator bus, with its totally innovative architecture, increases the charge capacity by 20%. It is fitted with electric motors inside the wheels, which use energy storage in the form of Lithium batteries for the energy function and supercapacitors for power.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Recovering energy from exhaust gases: IFPEN pursues the development of Rankine technology

Rankine system integrated on Kangoo FLEX HYBRID

Among the existing technologies for the recovery of exhaust gas heat, IFPEN has opted to explore the Rankine thermodynamic process, which currently appears to be the most mature for industrial development in the medium term.
A first Rankine system prototype has already undergone a series of tests at IFPEN This has just been succeeded by a second, more integrative and more powerful prototype, also developed by IFPEN.
These systems allow heat to be converted via an exchanger in which fluid circulates. In contact with exhaust gases, the fluid is transformed into pressurized steam, which feeds a turbine. Rotation of this turbine then produces mechanical energy.

Towards an efficient, reliable and low- cost Rankine system

For motor vehicle applications, the challenge is to develop an efficient and reliable system, using inexpensive materials and components. Command control is particularly tricky, since the amount of heat released by exhaust gases is unpredictable and extremely variable. Miniaturization of this equipment is also a major technical challenge. To optimize the efficiency of the process, IFPEN is continuing to focus its development activities on understanding the physical phenomena involved, identifying the most appropriate operating fluids, selecting the most efficient mechanical components, system simulation for dimensioning and validation of components, as well as control, and developing algorithms to optimize heat recovery. Validation tests are performed on engine test benches at IFPEN.

Leading to fuel savings of 5 to10 %, Rankine technology is a promising option. The first industrial applications could be seen in trucks and vehicle fleets within the next 2 to 5 years.

Pascal SMAGUE
Research Engineer in Engine Technology
IFP Energies nouvelles - Energy Application Techniques division

>> Press Release: Recovering energy from exhaust gases IFP Energies nouvelles is focusing on Rankine technology

DISCOVER IFPEN

Want to know more?

>>> See on IFPEN website

PUBLICATIONS

A selection of the latest IFP Energies nouvelles publications

New technical data sheet issued : Powertrain Engineering Selected papers

Download the technical sheet (PDF - 650 Ko)

IFP Energies nouvelles' 2011 Activity Report (English version up coming)

Download the IFP Energies nouvelles' 2011 Activity Report
(English version up coming)

"Sensitivity Study on the Design Methodology of an Electric Vehicle"

Fabrice Le Berr, Abdenour Abdelli, Raouf Benlamine, IFP Energies nouvelles
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-0820 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"Exploitation of Multi-Cycle Engine LES to Introduce Physical Perturbations in 1D Engine Models for Reproducing CCV"

Cecile Pera, Stéphane Richard, Christian Angelberger, IFP Energies nouvelles
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-0127 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"Online Identification of the Turbocharger Efficiency For Diesel Engine Control"

Wissam Dib, Jonathan Chauvin and Olivier Grondin, IFP Energies nouvelles
Laurent Fontvieille, Remy Brunel, Renault SA
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-0439 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"Energy Management Strategy and Optimal Hybridization Level for a Diesel HEV"

Laurent Thibault, Olivier Grondin, Carole Querel and Gilles Corde, IFP Energies nouvelles
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-1019 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"A Sensorless-Based Control Scheme to Enhance the Accuracy of Position Encoders Used in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors for Automotive Applications"

Jeremy Malaize, Wissam Dib, IFP Energies nouvelles
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-0343 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"State of the Art and Analysis of Control Oriented NOx Models"

Carole Quérel and Olivier Grondin, IFP Energies nouvelles
Christophe Letellier, CORIA - Université de Rouen
SAE World congress – SAE 2012-01-0723 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"Intake System Diagnosis for Diesel Engine with Dual-Loop EGR"

Olivier Grondin and Jonathan Chauvin, IFP Energies nouvelles
Laurent Fontvieille, Renault
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-0904 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"Biodiesel Permeability in Polyethylene"

Emmanuel Richaud, Bruno Fayolle, Jacques Verdu, Arts & Métiers ParisTech, Bruno Flaconnèche, IFP Energies nouvelles
SAE World congress - SAE 2012-01-0747 - Detroit, USA, April 24-26, 2012

"Fuel Consumption Potential of Different Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Architectures in the European and American Contexts"

A. Da Costa, IFP Energies nouvelles, N. Kim, Argonne National Laboratory,
F. Le Berr, N. Marc, F. Badin, IFP Energies nouvelles, A. Rousseau, Argonne National Laboratory.
EVS26 Los Angeles, California, May 6-9, 2012

"From pure electric vehicle to Diesel extended range electric vehicle: a case study for the design of a hybrid powertrain based on real vehicle requirements and use"

Fabrice Le Berr, Olivier Baudrand, Jean-Marc Zaccardi, Abdenour Abdelli, IFP Energies nouvelles
SIA International conference and exhibition diesel powertrain - Rouen, France, June 5-6, 2012

"New calibration method and tool to minimize emissions on cold start driving cycle"

Michel Castagné, Sébastien Magand, Frédéric Nicolas, IFP Energies nouvelles, Yoann Bernard, Christophe Pailot, D2T
SIA International conference and exhibition diesel powertrain - Rouen, France, June 5-6, 2012 - Publication: R-2012-01-05

"Methodology to define gasoline surrogates dedicated to auto-ignition in engines"

Cécile Pera, Vincent Knop, IFP Energies nouvelles
Fuel - Volume 96, June 2012, Pages 59–69

IFPEN & YOU

A fit-for-purpose model for battery simulation

"The challenge of the ElLiSup project is to determine whether one Li-Ion battery technology is suitable for our electric buses for ultra-high-speed charging. Drawing on IFPEN's expertise in modeling and experimental processes, we have overcome this technical issue and IFPEN has built a fit-for-purpose model to simulate the the thermal behavior of batteries, calibrated with the test results. Using this tool, we are able to examine the cooling strategy of the energy storage system, and to predict and more effectively control the risks. We will also use it during vehicle testing and validation."

Philippe REY
Head of Bus and Coach Innovation
IVECO France
Leader of the ElLiSup Project

E4D Consortium, an international program conducted by IFPEN:

Ethanol for Diesel engines

"Taking part in this consortium was a great experience for Petrobras.
The opportunity to interact with other companies and encounter different points of view regarding the potential use of ethanol as a fuel in diesel engines, was a very positive one. The program was highly technical and the study sought to cover a broad variety of aspects related to fuel characterization, combustion performance, engine adaptation and fuel blend definition."

André FACHETTI
Biomass Conversion Manager
PETROBRAS R&D Center

IN SHORT

IFPEN signs a partnership agreement with its D2T subsidiary for the support of the Virtual Powertrain Engineering Business Unit.

Flex Hybrid - IFP Energies nouvelles' new plug-in hybrid lab-car: an open, generic test platform for testing P-HEV control algorithms, battery packs and power electronics, in real-life conditions. Supporting a wide range of technologies and components, this advanced lab car can be used by IFP Energies nouvelles industrial and research partners for their development projects. >> Press realase

Launch of the TRIPTIC-H project (ANR project). Led by IFPEN in partnership with CTI, Ircelyon, PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Saint-Gobain CREE, this project aims to characterize ultrafine particules produced by gasoline injection engines and to develop and validate a suitable post-treatment solution. >> Press realase

Vehicle hybridization and energy recovery: IFPEN participated in the European Hi-CEPS - Highly Integrated Combustion Electric Propulsion System - project. The aim of the project was to develop hybrid vehicle prototypes operating with different IC engines (diesel, gasoline and NGV). The project brought together 22 public and private partners, from the motor vehicle industry, for a period of five years. >> www.hi-ceps.eu

Significant increase in sales of Imagine.lab AMESim related to IFPEN libraries by LMS (+ 40% between 2010 and 2011).

Excellence institutes – IFPEN is a partner in 6 projects being conducted by the Instituts d'exellence sur les énergies décarbonées (IEED - Excellence Institutes in the field of low-carbon energies): France Energies marines, Geodénergies, Green Stars, Indeed, Pivert and VeDeCoM. In the context of these IEEDs, IFPEN will contribute to the emergence of new eco-industrial sectors in the fields of energy, transport and the environment. >> Press realase (in French)

Within the Ademe call of proposals "bruit et nuisances sonores" (noise pollution), selection of the ORACLE project led by Hutchinson with the collaboration of IFPEN.