Optimizing the thermal efficiency of diesel engines is a real challenge for engineers. Since their invention over a century ago, these engines have not been known for their high efficiency. It was not until 2020 that a model finally managed to exceed the 50 % efficiency threshold.
According to Interesting Engineering, the thermal efficiency of an engine indicates the proportion of energy generated by combustion that is converted into usable mechanical energy, without benefiting from any waste heat recovery system. The higher this percentage, the more economical the engine is considered.
A Chinese diesel engine expert company, Weichai Power, has managed to set a new world record. They dedicated themselves to creating the most efficient diesel engine. Their feat was revealed at an international event dedicated to internal combustion engines.
Over the years, designers have stepped up their efforts to improve efficiency by small percentage gains. However, it was the Weichai Power team that ultimately led the field with an engine certified to a thermal efficiency of 53.09 %, the highest to date.
The company's engineers spent 500 days refining this model, focusing on four essential elements: fuel injection, optimizing air intake, improving combustion processes and minimizing friction.
The ingenuity deployed in this project by Weichai Power is confirmed by the obtaining of 176 patents for innovations and 68 utility model patents. In addition, the company has conducted a study demonstrating the significant positive impact of its innovations on the environment.
Common diesel engines have a thermal efficiency of between 45 and 46 %. By increasing this efficiency to 53 %, fuel consumption could drop by 14 %, resulting in a proportional reduction in emissions.
Applied nationwide in China, this breakthrough could reduce annual fuel consumption by 31 million tons. As a result, it could also reduce carbon emissions by 97 million tons each year.
