Fuel Evaluation for Small Diesel Engines

摘要

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) conducted a project in support of theAuxiliary Powered Environmental Control System (APECS) for the Armored System Modernization Program. The purpose of this project was to develop concepts for an auxiliary power unit (APU) based on a small internal combustion engine that operates on heavy fuels such as diesel, JP-5, and JP-8. After analyzing a comprehensive engine database, no diesel engines were found in current production that will meet the project targets; therefore, three approaches were identified as potential strategies to meet the project requirements: (1) Increase power output of small existing diesel engine; (2) Convert gasoline engine to spark-assisted diesel operation; (3) Design and develop new engine configurations. A small, four-stroke diesel engine was located that will fit inside the available package volume with some modifications. A two-stroke gasoline engine was also located that will fit into the available space. Both engines will require major modifications to meet the power and fuel economy requirements on heavy fuels. From a purely technical standpoint, the most promising approach appears to be the design and development of a lightweight diesel engine. However, the cost of this approach will be much greater than the two approaches described above.