Emissions, weight and cost will be reduced using advanced turbine technology
India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, Ashok Leyland, recently collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to develop and commercialize the ‘Swirl Mesh Lean Direct Injection (LDI) system’ technology. An overall lighter power train (high weight-to-power ratio), ultra-low emissions, multiple fuel capabilities (eg. Biogas, CNG, LNG, Diesel, Hydrogen etc. ), and low cost of ownership are among the advantages specified of this series hybrid configuration.
IIT Madras Researchers at the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) are working on developing an indigenously-designed Micro Gas Turbine. The parties will partner to develop a series of hybrid Electrical Vehicles using this turbine technology.
It is noteworthy that the core of the Micro Turbine is a patented combustion technology called the LDI system. The official statement suggests that the main power train will be the electric motors but the onboard power would be generated by the Micro Gas Turbine, developed jointly by NCCRD and Aerostrovilos Energy, an IITM-incubated start-up. This Micro Gas Turbine will replace the large battery.
After a lab-scale demonstration, Ashok Leyland signed a letter of support to develop this technology for the heavy vehicles segment with NCCRD, IIT Madras. As part of the collaboration, the company handed over a 9-meter passenger electric bus to NCCRD, which was received by the Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti.
Prof. Sathya Chakravarthy, Coordinator, NCCRD, said: “This marks our conviction of not only working with the industry on innovative technological solutions of societal impact but also pushing the inhouse developments on innovation to see the light of day with the industry.”
Dr N. Saravanan, CTO of Ashok Leyland commented on the collaboration: “Micro Gas Turbines hold significant promise as a technology that will extend fuel combustion beyond traditional IC Engines and provide for more efficient performance and multi-fuel capability. Ashok Leyland is proud to be associated with IIT Madras and Aerostrovilos in this development effort.”
