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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Heavy vehicle propulsion system materials program semiannual progress report for April 1998 thru September 1998

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/755535· OSTI ID:755535
The purpose of the Heavy Vehicle Propulsion System Materials Program is the development of materials: ceramics, intermetallics, metal alloys, and metal and ceramic coatings, to support the dieselization of class 1--3 trucks to realize a 35{percent} fuel-economy improvement over current gasoline-fueled trucks and to support commercialization of fuel-flexible LE-55 low-emissions, high-efficiency diesel engines for class 7--8 trucks. The Office of Transportation Technologies, Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (OTT OHVT) has an active program to develop the technology for advanced LE-55 diesel engines with 55{percent} efficiency and low emissions levels of 2.0 g/bhp-h NO{sub x} and 0.05 g/bhp-h particulates. The goal is also for the LE-55 engine to run on natural gas with efficiency approaching that of diesel fuel. The LE-55 program is being completed in FY 1997 and, after approximately 10 years of effort, has largely met the program goals of 55{percent} efficiency and low emissions. However, the commercialization of the LE-55 technology requires more durable materials than those that have been used to demonstrate the goals. Heavy Vehicle Propulsion System Materials will, in concert with the heavy-duty diesel engine companies, develop the durable materials required to commercialize the LE-55 technologies.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
755535
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-13735
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English