Fuel Flexible Mixing-Controlled Combustion System for Heavy-Duty Engines Using Low Carbon Alternative Fuels

Adam Dempsey Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering Marquette University Friday, April 19th, 2024 10:30 AM Room 2540 GG Brown ME Seminar Link Passcode: 509521 Add ME Seminar to Google Calendar

Abstract

Due to its high-power density & low cost compared to competing technologies, the internal

combustion engine will remain the primary mode of propulsion for the foreseeable future, especially in heavy-duty applications. In 2050, technologies such as the full battery electric vehicle are projected to have only a few percent of the global transportation market based on total energy consumed. The fastest growing transportation sector is commercial transportation, and it is the most difficult to electrify due to the high energy demands over long operating periods. To improve the sustainability of heavy-duty transportation, we must reduce the emissions from diesel engines, the primary power source in this sector.

For decades diesel engine research focused on the reduction of criteria pollutant emissions that are known to have negative effects on human health and the environment, such as NOx, soot, and unburned hydrocarbons. Over the last decade, additional focus has been put on reducing fossil fuel consumption due to its connection with greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), such as CO2 . The most pragmatic way to reduce GHG emissions from diesel engines is by using alternative, low carbon fuels. This seminar will discuss research on advanced engine combustion strategies that will allow the use of low carbon fuels, such as alcohols, natural gas, ammonia, and hydrogen in heavy-duty engines while maintaining diesel-like engine performance characteristics by continuing to use mixing-controlled combustion.

Bio

Dr. Adam Dempsey is an Assistant Professor at Marquette University in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Prior to joining Marquette, he was a Senior Research Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. and a postdoctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Dempsey received his Bachelors and Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013. His research interests are centered on sustainable, clean energy research – specifically low carbon renewable fuels for engines.