Günter Zitzler

New MTU series 4000 rail engine fulfilling most ambitious emission regulation

For services on non-electrified lines diesel locomotives are proven for great many years. Besides reliability and high operational availability, convincing arguments for diesel engines are an attractive power-to-weight ratio, excellent transient response characteristics and long-range capability. Like many other means of transport, dieselpowered rolling stock has been notably affected by increasingly stringent emission standards over the last few years.

Methods for predicting the rate of heat release of gas engines

Energy-efficient gas engines are used as stationary power units in block heating and power stations. The differing composition of natural gas according to the region as well as the addition of propane/butane cause great variations in the resistance to knocking. Even small variations in the methane number have a significant effect on operation of the engine. This article describes the development of a model designed in the context of a research project of the Forschungsvereinigung Verbrennungskraftmaschinen e. V. (FVV, Frankfurt/Main) on “lean-burning gas engines” carried out by the Institute for Internal Combustion Engines (LVK) at Munich Technical University in order to predict the rate of heat release for lean-burning gas engines when different types of gas fuel are used.