"Clean Diesel" Technology Wins R&D 100 Award

A device to improve efficiency and performance of diesel engines, developed by Ramesh Poola and Raj Sekar, has won a 1999 R&D 100 award, given annually by R&D Magazine to the 100 most significant technical products of the year.

The clean diesel device is an energy and environmental breakthrough that should enable diesel engines to operate cleaner and more efficiently.The new technique controls fuel and oxygen levels in diesel engines and results in reduced particulate levels and decreased nitrogen oxide emissions simultaneously. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is a precursor to ozone and contributes significantly to smog. The breakthrough technology increases engine power as well.

Working with General Motors Electro-Motive Division and the research arm of the Association of American Railroads, Argonne found that changing oxygen levels and engine operating conditions improves the combustion process thereby lowering emissions. NOx emissions and particulates were reduced significantly.

Diesel engines are the most efficient internal combustion engines, but the smoke and particulate emissions have prevented them from becoming a "clean" propulsion system. Interest in Argonne's new technology is further heightened because it is expected to be more cost effective than alternative exhaust control systems currently being developed.