Scania gets award for EGR

Scania, the Swedish engine builder, was awarded the Swedish Technology Award for its innovative approach to lowering both nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate (PM) emissions from its diesel engines. The technology involves reducing emissions by improving the combustion process, without using any additives or after treatment of the exhaust gasses.

Lars Tegnelius, who is responsible for ‘Performance and emissions’ within Scania’s engine development, received the award for optimising systems like Scania HPI and Scania EGR, both developed in-house. Tests show that with the aid of this technology and a novel injection system, Scania will be able to achieve Euro 5 as well within a few years.

Scania HPI (high pressure injection) is a fuel injection system that is capable of handling very high injection pressures. The use of extra high injection pressures gave considerably lower particulate emissions than legally required for Euro 4. This provided a margin that could be used to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides. Scania HPI was developed in co-operation with US engine manufacturer Cummins during the 1990s. The system is produced by Scania and Cummins in a jointly-owned facility in the US.

Scania EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) uses part of the engine’s exhaust gases, which are cooled and then fed back into the engine’s intake system. The cooled exhaust gases lower the combustion temperature and thus emissions of nitrogen oxides.