The growing importance of energy and environmental aspects associated with any activity has led to a growing interest in energy diversification and savings. To this end, the search for and use of new initiatives based on clean alternative energies (electricity, hydrogen, biofuels, LPG/AutoGas and natural gas) has been encouraged.
Thanks to these initiatives, the transport sector is registering an increase in the number of vehicles powered by LPG/AutoGas (bifuel with gasoline), although there is still a need to eliminate certain technological barriers to achieve its full development and be much more competitive and attractive for both fleets and individuals:
- Non-optimal calibration: The lack of adequate calibration systems causes high LPG consumption, mechanical damage to engine parts, poor injection failure warnings and unstable idling, minimizing the advantages of greater autonomy and lower consumption provided by the use of LPG.
- Need for specific additives to protect the valves: LPG increases the temperature of the combustion chamber at high revolutions and it is necessary to use additives to reduce it and avoid the feared drying of valves, which causes their failure over time.
- Injection imbalances: Current systems, not being specific to LPG, have excess air due to injection imbalances causing an increase in combustion temperature, with the complications derived from this (valve drying, etc.). Additionally, the control units of current vehicles do not have the appropriate technology to detect the fault, but rather store a code that will be discovered in a routine inspection when connected to the diagnostic machine. There is still no predictive maintenance.
For all the above reasons, the promotion of alternative energy such as LPG / AutoGas requires R&D developments, such as the one proposed, aimed at improving the current state, in relation to calibration, injection systems and optimized mixtures in order to reduce the need for additives.
General objective of the project
The main objective of the project is the definition, design, development, validation and approval of an urban bus prototype based on a 100% efficient propulsion system with an optimized injection system (liquid injection), as well as a predictive maintenance program. This design will result in the first urban bus prototype powered 100% by LPG / AutoGas in an efficient manner, approved for the European Euro VI emissions control regulations.
The scope of the project will cover innovations in calibration, injection, fuel and lubricant systems, as well as the management of their maintenance, which will increase the efficiency and reliability of this type of vehicle propulsion. The general objective is the development of calibrations for the injection and ignition systems, using improved mixtures and lubricants for the integrated engine, achieving the highest possible engine performance and complying with the technical requirements derived from anti-pollution regulations.
In the process of defining, designing, developing and installing the assembly line and validating the 100% autogas-powered BeGas AVG engines, we have had the financial support of the CDTI, co-financed by the FEDER Funds, as well as in the design and development of an urban bus powered by a 100% autogas engine.
