The CNG-di concept demonstrates huge potential with respect to increase engine efficiency of CNG-fuelled engines, and due to the nature of natural gas, sustainable reduction of CO2 emission.
By directly injecting gas into the combustion chamber, the benefits of CNG operation can be utilised without any drawback in performance.
Homogeneous CNG-di powertrains with standard 3-way catalyst (λ=1) would be a cost effective alternative not only dedicated to passenger cars, but also for light commercial vehicles. This is due to avoiding expensive exhaust aftertreatment systems (as required for Diesel engines) and benefiting from low price of natural gas.
Stratified lean (λ>1) CNG-di operation offers additional efficiency improvement, but therefore would require NOx-exhaust aftertreatment for achievement of forthcoming emission standards. Due to lower NOx-level with CNG-di combustion, the requirements for such NOx-exhaust aftertreatment will be less stringent.
Due to attractiveness of results gained in this project, further extension of the program and development for components development (e.g. injectors) on large scale are foreseen.