Diesel & Gasoline Working Together?

The Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine pictured has a thermal efficiency of 50% (the best in the world). There is new research going on in the University of Wisconsin, Madison that got 53% thermal efficiency out of a Cat Diesel Engine.

I just read the article about this new technology mixing gasoline and diesel into a diesel engine. This system increases the thermal efficiency by 20% but reduces the temperature in the combustion chamber by 40% creating less unburned fuel out the tail pipe.

The mix would be computer controlled and since there would be less energy loss through heat transfer, improved combustion would cause an increase in power with less emissions.

The computer age has allowed scientists and researchers to stretch the resources we have right now to the limit in a very efficient way. Without computer programming, monitoring, and adjusting operating parameters this new technical solution for decreasing vehicle emissions would not be possible.
I hope you found this Mechanic Information interesting...

New Technology - Laser Beams Replacing Spark Plugs.

Laser Beam Ignition is Coming!

Here's some interesting news for Mechanics and Car Owners / Enthusiasts.

It's amazing what the future is going to bring us in the form of more efficient engines. It tells me that totally functional electric cars are coming but not right away since this laser research is costing a lot of money to develop.

Researchers in Liverpool are collaborating with Ford on developing this laser ignition system. The laser can be distributed strategically in a gas engine combustion chamber in key areas to achieve better combustion and fuel economy.

Cold weather starting will be much easier and efficient with this system. The laser will be hot enough to produce ignition with the air / fuel gas mixture. The laser can even send information back to the vehicle reporting on type of fuel, level of ignition and adjusts itself for more effective combustion.

The laser will have to fire 50 times per second to get 3000 rpm and will use much less power compared to a spark plug. I like this technology even though it still deals with fossil fuels, but emissions will be reduced drastically.

This laser system is working right now in the lab and will be implemented into higher end Ford vehicles.

Click HERE If you would like to read the entire article.

Does this technology sound familiar? Diesel engines use heat of compression to ignite the fuel. This laser beam system is using the same principle, although it would take much less heat to ignite a gas mixture compared to diesel fuel. This is another learning curve for dealership Mechanics at Ford more so than the rest of the world.

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