Fuel quality call
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• Detroit Diesel is joining in the call for improved diesel fuel quality, and says that without the necessary changes some of the new technology designed to improve engine efficiency will simply not work.
David Merrion, Detroit's senior vice-president of engineering, will be lobbying in particular for a 0.05% sulphur limit, lower aromatic levels and higher cetane values.
Among the technical developments currently being researched by the company are oil-driven turbochargers, variable valve timing, variable geometry turbocharging, and "oxygen-enthused" diesel, which has an increased oxygen content. By introducing oxygen into the fuel droplets before injection, the aim is to promote faster and more complete combustion.
Men-ion believes this has particular promise, and experiments show significant benefits in emissions and economy.