Ricardo backs EGR system
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• Electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems are likely to feature heavily on big truck diesels by the late nineties if engine manufacturers are to meet ever tightening emission regs, claims diesel engine technology specialist Ricardo Consulting Engineers.
According to the Shorehambased company, EGR — where a proportion of the exhaust gases are recirculated back into the combustion chamber — is "one of the most promising solutions" to meet the stringent US 1998 emissions regs, which could form a basis for Stage 3 Euro emission legislation in Europe.
Ricardo is currently developing an EGR system for an engine based on a 12-litre Volvo unit it uses for its own emission development programme. The straight-six engine is also fitted with Bosch high pressure, electronic fuel injection equipment and has been evaluated with both its normal two-valves per cylinder head and a special fourvalve head produced by Ricardo.
Christopher Such, manager of RCE's heavy-duty vehicles department, says that EGR, together with electronically controlled fuel systems, offer engine builders the chance to meet short and medium-term emission laws without resorting to particulate traps or catalytic converters.
EGR also helps reduce the trade-off in fuel economy which is expected to increase as emission regulations become ever more stringent.