Mobile Organic Rankine Cycle Powersystem with Electrified Ancillaries for Reduced Parasitics

In a project co-funded by Innovate UK, Perkins Engines Company Ltd, DENSO Marston Ltd, AVID Technology Ltd and Imperial College London are collaborating to demonstrate a highly efficient diesel-electric hybrid powertrain in which waste heat energy from the engine is recovered through an Organic Rankine Cycle system. When coupled with electrification of the engine’s ancillary devices (coolant and oil pumps for example) to reduce the parasitic loads on the engine, the system is expected to deliver significant fuel consumption reductions over real-world operating conditions. This £5.2M, 3-year project encompasses software, hardware, and control system design and development, and will culminate with a heavy duty on-engine demonstration. System cost, performance and packaging will be targeted to meet requirements of selected on-road and off-road applications. The project was launched in January 2015.