Improvements of the range extender for a 48V electric vehicle
Authors:
- Marcin Noga,
- Paweł Gorczyca,
- Radosław Hebda
Abstract
The article describes a further stage of development work of the range extender (RE) designed at the Cracow University of Technology (CUT) for a 48V electric light commercial vehicle. The range extender is an auxiliary power unit with a maximum output power of 2.65 kW. It was built on the basis of a three‐phase alternating current generator driven by a single‐cylinder spark‐ignition engine. As part of further development work, the engine was equipped with a muffler with an integrated three‐way catalytic converter (TWC) to reduce an emitted noise, as well as to reduce exhaust emissions. In order to be able to efficiently process exhaust gas in the catalytic reactor, modifications of the fuel system were introduced, enabling feeding with a stoichiometric air‐fuel mixture. The principle of operation of the air‐fuel ratio (AFR) correction system consists in a dilution of the rich mixture formed in the carburetor using the air fed downstream from the carburetor. The system works in a closed‐loop with an exhaust oxygen sensor. Applied modifications of the range extender had a significant impact on minimizing the effect on the environment by reducing the noise level and toxic components of exhaust gases. In addition, the use of the exhaust gas correction system has made it possible to improve the overall efficiency of the unit, which is important in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and reducing the costs of generating electricity necessary to drive the vehicle. The results confirmed that the developed AFR correction system properly performs the assigned task. The tests of the general efficiency of the auxiliary power unit allowed to indicate the points in which the range extender operation is the most effective, which allows the development of a favorable algorithm for the control of the assembly depending on the current state of the battery and the driver's needs. Despite the use of a simple generator and belt transmission control, a more beneficial result of the overall efficiency of the range extender developed at CUT was obtained than the device offered commercially. Dynamic tests of the charging unit carried out after completion of the stationary part showed its correct operation. The energy supplied to the vehicle's electrical system by range extender after depleting the energy stored in the vehicle battery enabled the use of full range in all‐electric mode without the user's fear of not reaching the destination. In addition, during the second attempt, the start‐up of the range extender and its continuous operation from the moment of using half of the energy stored in the battery allowed for a two‐fold increase in the range of the vehicle. In the further development phase of the project, it is also planned to use the integrated electronic ignition ‐ injection system and engine modifications, which will further increase efficiency and reduce exhaust toxicity also in transient states (start‐up, heating, speed and load change, engine shutdown). Ultimately, consideration is also given to using the alternative fuels for the range extender, such as a mixture of gasoline with bioethanol ‐ E85 or natural gas, which will reduce CO2 emissions due to the more favorable ratio of hydrogen to carbon for these fuels compared to gasoline.
- Record ID
- CUT0f59ef29c2ef42268c4650f5f5579231
- Publication categories
- ; ;
- Author
- Pages
- 220-221
- Other elements of collation
- rys.; Bibliografia (na s.) - 221; Bibliografia (liczba pozycji) - 2
- Book
- Marjanović Nenad Nenad Marjanović (eds.): Book of Abstracts for the 9th International Scientific Conference [on] Research and Development of Mechanical Elements and Systems, IRMES 2019, 5-7 September 2019, Kragujevac, 2019, Kragujevac, Serbia, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, ISBN 978‐86‐6335‐061‐8
- Keywords in English
- electric vehicle, range extender, overall efficiency, spark ignition engine, three‐way catalyst conversion efficiency, noise reduction
- URL
- http://irmes2019.kg.ac.rs/ Opening in a new tab
- Language
- eng (en) English
- License
- Score (nominal)
- 0
- Uniform Resource Identifier
- https://cris.pk.edu.pl/info/article/CUT0f59ef29c2ef42268c4650f5f5579231/
- URN
urn:pkr-prod:CUT0f59ef29c2ef42268c4650f5f5579231
* presented citation count is obtained through Internet information analysis, and it is close to the number calculated by the Publish or PerishOpening in a new tab system.