Abstract
A key element to the success of the internal combustion engines (ICE) is to take advantage of the thermal energy contained in the exhaust gases from the combustion cycle to minimize harmful exhaust emissions, improve fuel economy and prolong engine life. Also, taking advantage of the waste heat to maintain the engine to the correct operating temperature, will potentially reduce fuel usage during warm-up periods and can reduce harmful tailpipe emissions at cold starts. Therefore, having the ability to achieve significant reductions in harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), Particulate matter (PM) and greenhouse gases (GHG), and other complex pollutants makes thermal energy storage devices an attractive technology to achieve this goal. Also, to drastically, reduce fuel consumption the development of thermal energy storage (TES) using solid-liquid phase change materials, it seems to be a viable economic short-term solution to exploit ICE capabilities. For example, a cold start engine generates about 60,000 ppm of CO while the catalytic converter is reaching its average operating temperature, generally above 300 C. These values depend on the health and age of the engine. Also, idling an engine reduces fuel economy in order of >6% according to the fuel economy EPA emissions test model. For this thesis work and experimental analysis was calculated on a light-duty vehicle (LDV) or class 1(<6000 lb) category. The analyzed results on emissions on a four-cylinder selected engine are exclusively for estimate calculations of the overall potential fuel economy as a result of integrating a thermo-energy storage system. The analysis shows the potential advantages of thermo-energy devices in terms of fuel savings and tailpipe emissions. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis will show potential fuel savings over time. Today, more than ever, there is the need to improve vehicle fuel economy and substantially increase vehicle range capabilities on a single tank while reducing pollutants. Environmental factors and advances in technology have been a crucial critical enabler of this thesis work [30].