KTH students and the automotive industry cooperates in cutting edge research
In the division of Internal Combustion Engine’s advanced course MF2064 the final year students are assigned to work as test engineers. The work is carried out in a research project that the students themselves mainly will control. The projects are commissioned by the automotive industry and this year's industry partners are Scania and AVL.
Scania has commissioned a project that involves unwanted internal injecting coatings. This is a relatively new phenomenon that can result in poor performance of the engine, higher harmful emissions and at worst engine failure. The research has completely exploded in the last five years. However, there are many questions which remain unanswered, and it is something that the KTH students should try to change.
Shortly a fuel-injection rig for the study will be completed. The rig is based on Scania's latest injection system that can reach the fuel pressure up to 2400 bar. These high injection pressures are there to meet the stringent emission standards for diesel engines, but the high pressures also results in high internal injection temperatures that can lead to unwanted deposits. The fact that today's diesel fuels are becoming more and more diversified, with the introduction of more biofuels, do not make the issue less complex.
The students are full of confidence for the experiments:
- It's exciting to try our wings as a research engineer, said Cosmin Duca.
He concludes:
- But it is also nervous to do a project with a prospective employer like Scania.