Zhongding Power to invest more than $200M to build EcoMotors opoc plant in China
09 April 2013
Zhongding Power and EcoMotors have entered an agreement for the production of the opoc (opposed-piston, opposed cylinder) engine (earlier post). One of the largest automotive component conglomerates in China, Zhongding will finance and construct the first opoc plant in the Anhui Province.
The plant represents an investment by Zhongding of more than US $200 million and will have a capacity of about 150,000 engines per year—or more than US $1 billion in revenue potential. High-volume production is expected to begin in 2014.
The opoc engine comprises two opposing cylinders per module, with a crankshaft between them; each cylinder has two pistons moving in opposite directions. This design configuration eliminates the cylinder-head and valve-train components of conventional engines, and results in an engine family that is lighter, more efficient and economical, with lower exhaust emissions.
The opoc engine technology can deliver the same power level as conventional engines at half the size, a lower cost, and lower emissions, with the potential for 20-50% better fuel economy compared to a advanced, conventional turbo-diesel engine.
To meet a wide range of power output needs, these engines can be teamed in multiple modules, connected to each other via an electrically controlled clutch. This configuration provides a variable displacement engine that offers significant fuel savings, optimized engine map performance and reduced emissions for real-world applications.
EcoMotors is developing several versions of the opoc engine. Topline specifications for the EM100 in a single-module configuration using diesel fuel are as follows:
| EM100 | |
|---|---|
| Cylinder bore | 100 mm |
| Dry weight | 296 lbs (134 kg) |
| Dimensions LxWxH (inches) | 22.8 x 41.3 x 18.5 |
| Horsepower | 325 @ 3,500 rpm |
| Torque | 664 lb-ft (900 N·m) @ 2,100 rpm |
| Power density | 1.1 hp per lb |
The inaugural opoc plant has received the full support of key Chinese government bodies, including the Xuangcheng government and Anhui provincial authorities; a second Zhongding production site may be announced at a later date.
Zhongding plans to supply opoc engines to a broad range of customers, including GenSet engines, off-road and commercial vehicles. A key provision of the agreement allocates a portion of the plant’s output to EcoMotors for sale and distribution to its own direct customers.
Wow--when was the last time a novel ICE architecture was mass-produced? The fuel-economy claims have always seemed over the top, so we'll see about that, but the power density is for real. Perfect match for a light aircraft, seemingly.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 09 April 2013 at 08:29 AM
What is amazing about this improved ICE is that it took almost 200 years to develop and build the first mass produced units. Being manufactured in China, it will be very competitive.
There will probably be many naysayers to object but a much smaller version (30 to 50 hp or so) could be ideal for future more efficient PHEVs/HEVs, specially when coupled with more efficient (3X to 4X) batteries.
Wonder what future batteries performance will be in another 200 years?
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 April 2013 at 08:30 AM
I don't know how to take that, so a US innovation that could interest military is directly mass produced in china for its first introduction ? very strange... china manufacturing is not the good path to introduce a new ICE technology, ICE industry is extremely conservative so you need a solid reputation to introduce something new, means that nobody here believed that approach, when it could replace helicopter turbine by super efficient diesel, slashing consumption by 50%
Posted by: Treehugger | 09 April 2013 at 08:58 AM
Tree....China and India, with close to 3B people by 2025 or so, are the future markets for the next 1+ B ground vehicles.
Those two very highly populated countries have the potential to build lower cost future ICEs for their fast growing local markets and for international exports to USA and EU etc.
It is regretful that a future more efficient ICE like this one cannot be economically mass produced in USA or Canada or in EU.
We are losing out again?
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 April 2013 at 09:45 AM
"..means that nobody here believed that approach.."
It could mean that it was not profitable enough for the U.S. private sector and the government is broke.
The Chinese do what is right for the country, they don't debate about maximum return on investment, they just do it.
Posted by: SJC | 09 April 2013 at 10:19 AM
We live in Moneycracies controlled by $$$$ and profit margins and that is not to the benefit of the middle and lower classes.
Maximum profits come from huge 4 x 4 pick-ups doing less than 15 mpg. They are no. 1, 2 and 3 sellers in Western Canada.
Don't worry, EcoMotors owners will make more profits from the 'made in China' units than they would have with 'made in USA' units.
Apple (and many others) make 400+% profits by moving mass production to China versus less than 50% on USA made products.
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 April 2013 at 11:22 AM
"..Horsepower 325 @ 3,500 rpm
Torque 664 lb-ft (900 N·m) @ 2,100 rpm" could 'range extend' an electric train..
Posted by: kelly | 09 April 2013 at 11:55 AM
Many years ago I was hoping for an OPOC range extending generator for the TH!NK and TESLA. Perhaps these engines will be made in quantity. A military range extender was demonstrated ten years ago by another OPOC company. Some very large similar engines had a single cylinder with very large pistons a hundred years ago. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 10 April 2013 at 03:25 AM
In the long run, will societies using higher profit potentials to selectively decide what to do and not to do, have a better or lower chance to survive and lead?
Profit oriented societies quickly become modern Moneycracies in the hands of less than 1% of the population. This 1% will pay less and less taxes and hide most of its revenues in 'tax heavens'. The $31+T hidden in 'Tax Heavens' is increasing at a very fast rate.
It will be something like 'back to the future' when a few Lords and Kings, with most of the wealth and revenues, could do whatever they wanted.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 April 2013 at 08:32 AM
With 600+ pound feet of torque at 2100 rpm and its shape and light weight, this engine would be ideal for light aircraft.
Posted by: malaki | 10 October 2013 at 04:02 AM