Overview

Key Questions

1.    Why are diesel engines more efficient than gasoline?
2.    Are diesels dirtier than gasoline engines and why?
3.    What technologies are being developed to improve gasoline/diesel engines?
4.    What is Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) and why is it attractive?

Handouts

•    Energy Club Engine Handout, by RJ Scaringe

Preparatory Readings

•    How spark ignition engines work - producing more power, HowStuffWorks.com
•    On diesel engines
o    How diesel engines work, HowStuffWorks.com
o    Diesel aftertreatment, presentation slides from Ricardo Inc.
•    On HCCI
o    A More Efficient Engine, Technology Review, Aug 3, 2007
o    GM's HCCI Engine Offers 15 MPG Increase, Edmunds.com, Aug 27, 2007
o    HCCI Technology: A report to the U.S. Congress (see executive summary), EERE, U.S. DOE, Aug 2001
•    BP's bet on Butanol, Technology Review, Mar 27, 2007

Automotive Engine Technology

06:00-07:00PM Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Leader: RJ Scaringe and Craig Wildman
Location: Thirsty Ear Pub