The research activity has been addressed to the optimization of engine components and subsystems and of the relevant control strategies, to improve engine performance and reduce fuel consumption (and, consequently, CO2 emission) and exhaust emissions. Engine investigations have been focused on the development of theoretical simulation methodologies and optimization tools and on the characterization of different subsystems, especially for turbocharged Diesel engines. As regards these topics, studies were developed on turbocharging and exhaust gas recirculation systems, while in a second phase activities were focused on the optimization of common rail fuel injection systems control. In particular, different multiple injection strategies were compared, taking into account timing and injected quantities for pilot and after injections aiming at fuel consumption and emissions reduction.

Recent investigations have been developed on an automotive turbocharged Diesel engine, focusing on the development of a prototype low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system. On-engine application was matched to the standard turbocharging and high pressure EGR systems, being the first fitted with a variable nozzle turbine. The integrated control strategies allow to reduce NOX emissions and fuel consumption with an acceptable penalty of soot. When the common rail fuel injection equipment was included among the controlled systems (referring in particular to injection pressure), soot increase was compensated, extending the validity of proposed control strategies.

A further topic is related to the analysis of combustion parameters obtained from pressure diagrams and curves of rate of heat release. This methodology was developed and first applied to the extended investigation on integrated control of fuel injection, turbocharging and EGR systems. Then it was used for the analysis of the influence of blends with high content of used cooking oil methyl esters on engine behavior.

Researchers

• Giorgio Zamboni
• Massimo Capobianco

Laboratories 

• Laboratorio di Motori a Combustione Interna

Publications

• Zamboni G., Capobianco M. Effects of rail pressure control on fuel consumption, emissions and combustion parameters in a turbocharged diesel engine. Cogent Engineering, 7:1, 1724848, 2020, ISSN: 2331-1916; doi: 10.1080/23311916.2020.1724848
• Zamboni G. Influence of Fuel Injection, Turbocharging and EGR Systems Control on Combustion Parameters in an Automotive Diesel Engine. Applied Sciences 2019, 9(3), 484; EISSN 2076-3417; doi: 10.3390/app9030484
• Zamboni G. A study on combustion parameters in an automotive turbocharged diesel engine. Energies 2018, 11(10), 2531; ISSN 1996-1073; doi: 10.3390/en11102531
• Zamboni G., Moggia S., Capobianco M. Effects of a Dual-Loop Exhaust Gas Recirculation System and Variable Nozzle Turbine Control on the Operating Parameters of an Automotive Diesel Engine. Energies 2017, 10(1), 47; ISSN 1996-1073; doi: 10.3390/en10010047
• Zamboni G., Moggia S., Capobianco M. Hybrid EGR and turbocharging systems control for low NOX and fuel consumption in an automotive diesel engine. Applied Energy, vol.165, pp.839-848, March 2016, doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.12.117.