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Trial of Continuous Water Injection for NO_x Reduction in Diesel LDVs

6 February 2005

Vancouver-based Rival Technologies is working to adapt Continuous Water Injection (CWI) technology to retrofit light- and medium-duty diesel engines for reduced NO_x emissions. The company is installing a prototype system on a Dodge Ram pickup truck with a 5.9-liter in-line six cylinder, 24 valve, turbocharged Cummins diesel engine.

The prototype will be operational this month. Ongoing testing and adjustments are estimated to be completed in May, 2005.

Rival acquired its CWI technology from M.A. Turbo/Engine, which had originally developed it for use in large marine diesels (e.g., a ferry).

CWI systems work on the principle of reducing NO_x formation by injecting measured amounts of water to reduce peak flame temperature. This is related to the new EPA Clean Diesel Combustion engine (earlier post) in concept—i.e., reduce combustion temperature to reduce NO_x formation—but it clearly uses a different approach.

Test and trials of different CWI systems on stationary diesels and marine engines point to a reduction in NO_x of approximately 30%, with some wide variation. Engine power and fuel efficiency seem basically unaffected, with some positive increases noted in some of the tests.

Resources:

• Energy Technologies, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration

• Development of a New Low Emission Technology For heavy-duty Diesel Engines, Turbodyne

February 6, 2005 in Diesel, Emissions | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

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Comments

Hello!

I have some questions about water injection.
When you mix fuel oil with water you reduce the combustion temperature and reduce NOx in the exhaust gases but to maintain the same engine power you must increase the fuel oil consumption with 30 percent.
My first question is
Why is it necessary to increase fuel oil consumption to maintain the same engine power?
And
Will anyone use this kind of system when the fuel consuption will increase so much?

Posted by: Johan | May 9, 2005 10:18:33 AM

To answer your second question first, no, no one—especially no business—would sign up for a 30% increase in fuel consumption. Especially now.

However, based on the reports from the companies, that’s not the case with CWI. I’m not sure where you got your 30% number.

Here’s a quote from the Turbodyne report referenced above:

The fuel consumption record shows a reduction of as much as 0.5% with water/air ratio of 1.6% (Fig, 4). It means that with water/air ratio of around 1.6% the 25% of NOx reduction is achievable with simultaneous 0.5 % fuel economy and approximately 6% reduction of PM emission for the CAT. 3406E engine. The bigger NOx and PM reduction may be achieved with smaller fuel savings and bigger amount of water being injected. It is very important to notice that water injection does not affected engine power (the fluctuation of engine power is +/- 0.1%).

Posted by: Mike | May 9, 2005 3:20:42 PM

Hi!
I would like to know how the water injection technology compares with ammonia/urea based NOx reduction techiques.

Posted by: sandeep | Jun 12, 2005 4:12:51 AM

Pl send information on Water injection technology

Posted by: B.J. SHINDE | Aug 25, 2005 10:44:08 PM

hiii
i am much impressed by your technology of water injection.
can u please explain me the same in brief with dia & graphs how this system is working?
as i am engg student i want to study it in details.

waiting for your positive reply.

Posted by: harsh | Sep 17, 2005 12:19:10 AM

FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE BEEN CURIOUS IF ANYONE HAS TRIED INJECTING WATER INTO A DIESEL ENGINE ON ALTERNATE COMPRESSION STROKES INSTEAD OF DIESEL. IT SEEM LIKE THE WATER TURNING INTO STEAM WOULD PRODUCE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF ENERGY, AT LEAST ENOUGH TO CONTINUE AFTER REACHING CRUISING SPEED.

Posted by: ROD HAND | Jul 27, 2006 5:34:11 PM

Try 50/50 mixture of Alcohol & water. Heres some web sites to help explain
http://www.snowperformance.net/
http://teamzr1.com/winstall.html (answer# 14 near bottom of page) I know this sites are about power increasing ,but if you maintain the peak performance by reducing diesel intake ,you,ve gained economy ,right?
You might think of trying the same theory with propane fumigation.

Posted by: john | Mar 16, 2007 12:12:20 AM

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