Enabling Powertrain Technologies for Euro 7/VII Vehicles with Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Government regulations on vehicle tailpipe emissions have steadily become more stringent in the last few decades, mainly to reduce gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines (ICE) that are deemed harmful for public health and the emissions. With the world experiencing increased adverse effects from human activity causing anthropogenic climate change, governments are regulating greenhouse gases as well. Over the past several decades, ICE manufacturers have consistently developed innovative technologies to meet these emission regulations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been a valuable tool for engineers to develop novel engine technologies to reduce engine-out emissions, design effective aftertreatment systems, and more recently, design electrified and electric vehicles. CFD offers a unique capability to allow engineers to “look into” the complex physical phenomena taking place in an ICE with computer analysis. This paper reviews the current capabilities of CFD for powertrain technology designs to develop Euro-7/VII vehicles, with the following steps:1) how CFD helps in engine design and operating condition optimization and can help reduce engine-out emissions when testing low carbon or carbon-free alternative fuels.2) how CFD helps in aftertreatment system design to capture engine-out emissions.3) how engineers use CFD to design safer and more efficient batteries and electric motors used in all forms of electrified vehicles (battery electric and hybrid).