Category: Multi-Slide Guides

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Control of Aldehyde Emissions from Alcohol-Fueled Non-Road Engines

September 21, 2025 | Jim Lane

This FY22-FY25 project, with $400k in FY24 funding, addresses toxic aldehyde emissions from low-lifecycle carbon fuels (LLCFs) in off-road engines. Alcohols like methanol and ethanol form less reactive aldehydes during oxidation. Stable formaldehyde delivery for experiments was achieved. In-situ DRIFTS analysis reveals highly stable formates/acetates on catalyst surfaces inhibit further oxidation, underscoring the critical need […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Articulated Dump Truck Electrification

September 18, 2025 | Jim Lane

This project, 35% complete with $3.8M total funding, is electrifying Articulated Dump Trucks (ADT) to reduce ~78% idling time, targeting over 20% fuel savings and 10,000+ metric tons GHG reduction. Dynamic System Modeling (DSM) predicts >12,000 hours battery life (project objective: 15,000 hours). Lab-scale 10kW soft-switched SiC inverters have been developed and tested at 50kHz. […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Fully Electric Powered, Hydraulic Assisted, Compact Track Loaders

September 17, 2025 | Jim Lane

This 50% complete project, with $2.99M total funding, aims to electrify Compact Track Loaders via Hybrid Hydraulic-Electric Architecture (HHEA). The objective is to reduce electricity usage by 40% and GHG footprint by 80%, leveraging off-the-shelf components. Simulations predict 31.78% to 42.50% overall energy savings, extending a 75kWh battery’s life by up to 74%. A fast-switching […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Flex-Fuel Mixing Controlled Combustion Systems Enabled by Prechamber Ignition

September 16, 2025 | Jim Lane

This 60% complete project, funded at $3.125M, is developing a heavy-duty flex-fuel (E10-E98) engine with prechamber ignition to mimic diesel combustion. This approach promises ~50% reduction in lifecycle CO2 using bioethanol, maintaining snap torque and efficiency. Experimental results with E98 fuel demonstrate robust “diesel-like” performance, lower NOx, and “zero” soot compared to conventional diesel. The […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Simultaneous GHG and Criteria Pollutants Reduction for Off-Road Powertrains

September 15, 2025 | Jim Lane

This project, 38% complete with $2.98M total funding, targets ≥10% GHG and ≥90% NOx reduction (<0.04 g/kW-hr) for off-road powertrains by 2025. Key future engine technologies include cylinder deactivation and high-efficiency turbochargers, showing preliminary 10% CO2 reduction. Multiple aftertreatment configurations (e.g., dual SCR, e-heater, fuel burner) are being explored. An incremental cost analysis reveals a […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to SAF Contrail Modeling

September 14, 2025 | Jim Lane

This project, 33% complete with $400k in FY24 funding, aims to develop predictive chemistry and particle microphysics models for SAF contrail formation, a major climate impact driver (57.4 mW/m2 Effective Radiative Forcing). A multi-scale ice nucleation model is being constructed, using machine-learned molecular dynamics potentials that scale linearly for efficient simulation. The SAF Grand Challenge […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Multi-Phase Flow Studies of SAFs

September 11, 2025 | Jim Lane

This $550k (exp) + $175k (sim) FY24 project, running until 2027, focuses on X-ray diagnostics and high-fidelity CFD for SAF internal flow and atomization. Critical insights into as-built nozzle geometry (25 µm foreign object, micron-scale helical grooves) influencing spray morphology have been revealed. New window designs validate >150 bar performance for high-pressure experiments. A GPU-accelerated […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to SAF Combustion and Contrail Formation Research

September 10, 2025 | Jim Lane

This DOE-funded project, 60% complete with $450k in FY24 funding, investigates Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) combustion and contrail formation, particularly linking soot to ice nucleation. Research shows aromatics produce 4-8 times more soot, with cyclo-alkane blends offering an 80% soot reduction compared to traditional jet fuel components. A desktop aero-engine reactor network provides rapid, accurate […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Methanol-fueled Engines for Marine and Off-road Applications

September 9, 2025 | Jim Lane

A four-year CRADA (FY23-26) with $2.0M DOE and $2.04M Caterpillar in-kind funding, this project is 35% complete, focusing on methanol as a promising decarbonization fuel for hard-to-electrify applications. Three combustion strategies are investigated, including port fuel injection and prechamber spark ignition. Maersk’s commitment to 730,000 tons of green methanol annually highlights the market. Accomplishments include […]

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Predictive CFD Tools for Low-Carbon Fueled Off-Road IC Engines

September 8, 2025 | Jim Lane

This project, 15% complete as of March 2024, is developing predictive CFD tools for hydrogen and methanol-fueled off-road engines. With $600k DOE funding and $450k industry cost-share in FY24, it aims to address limited understanding of low-carbon fuel impact. Key accomplishments include identifying hydrogen mixing model deficiencies, assessing combustion model shortcomings, and completing DNS setups, […]

Free Subscription

The Biofuels Digest newsletter

The most widely-read biofuels daily — 20,000+ organizations subscribe — why not you too?