From China to the world: the most efficient diesel engine! Weichai presents thermal efficiency of 53,09%, leading in technology
Since the invention of the internal combustion diesel engine 127 years ago, engineers and scientists have strived to improve its thermal efficiency.
China's Weichai Power has set a new record for thermal efficiency in diesel engines, reaching 53%. This advancement, which overcomes technical challenges and drives sustainability, reflects an ongoing and collaborative effort in the internal combustion industry. Find out more about this significant feat and its implications for the future.
Weichai Power: Most Efficient Diesel Engine in the World
At a recent event in Tianjin, China, during the 2024 Internal Combustion Engine World Congress, Chinese company Weichai Power made history by unveiling the first diesel engine with a thermal efficiency of 53,09%. This achievement not only represents a technological advance, but also an important step towards sustainability in the use of fossil fuels.
Development and International Recognition
This milestone was recognized by international organizations such as TÜV SÜD and the China Automotive Research and Technology Center, which confirmed this world record in thermal efficiency, a key economic indicator in diesel engines. Since its invention 127 years ago, the continuous improvement of the thermal efficiency of the diesel engine has been a constant challenge, reflecting the technological advancement and industrial strength of nations.
Continuous Innovation and Collaboration
Since 2015, Weichai Power has developed a research team on high thermal efficiency engines, consisting of hundreds of doctors and thousands of engineers. This team collaborated with national and international experts and industry and university partners to advance the frontiers of technological innovation. On September 16, 2020, the company achieved a milestone by launching a diesel engine with a thermal efficiency of 50,23%. This number increased to 51,09% on January 8, 2022, and most recently, on November 20, 2022, thermal efficiency reached 52,28%, consolidating Weichai Power's leading position in the global combustion engine industry internal.
The research team continued to refine four critical systems: combustion, air intake, fuel supply and friction reduction. Through incremental improvements, Weichai Power surpassed the 53% thermal efficiency barrier for the first time globally, a significant feat comparable to running 100 meters in less than 9 seconds. During this period, the team won 176 invention patents and 68 utility model patents.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Increasing thermal efficiency not only improves fuel performance but also significantly contributes to reducing carbon emissions. These improvements could result in annual savings of approximately 31 million tons of fuel and a reduction of approximately 97 million tons in carbon emissions. For heavy vehicle owners, this could mean annual savings of up to 98.000 yuan per vehicle, demonstrating a considerable impact on the economy of transportation and other industrial sectors.
Weichai Power's innovation not only sets a new standard in the internal combustion engine industry, but also offers a hopeful vision for the integration of more sustainable practices in sectors traditionally dependent on fossil fuels. This technological advancement is a testament to the potential for continuous improvement and international collaboration in the search for more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions.
Source: prnewswire.com
How a diesel engine works
Imagine that a diesel engine is like a big air and fire pump that helps move cars and trucks. Here I explain the step by step:
Air suction: First, the engine takes in air from outside and introduces it into a chamber called the cylinder. In a diesel engine, only air enters, without previously mixing with gasoline as in other engines;
Air compression: Once the air is inside the cylinder, a piston (which is like a big pusher) rises and compresses this air, that is, it squeezes it very tightly. By compressing the air, it heats up a lot, so much so that it could almost cook an egg;
Fuel injection and combustion: At that moment, when the air is very hot and compressed, a little diesel fuel is injected. As the air is hot, the fuel ignites automatically, without the need for sparks like in other engines. This created explosion pushes the piston down;
Power generation: The downward movement of the piston is what actually produces the energy that makes the wheels of the car or truck turn and thus the vehicle moves;
Expulsion of gases: Finally, after the explosion, the gases formed have to escape to make room for more fresh air and begin the cycle again. The piston rises again, pushes the gases out and prepares to capture more air and start the process again.
It's as if the engine is breathing: it inhales air, uses it to create an explosion with the fuel and then exhales the gases. And this all happens very quickly, many times per second, so that the car or truck can move smoothly. It's amazing how a series of small explosions can do something as big as move a vehicle!
