Combustion engine drive concepts

Our R&D activities address technical solutions for increasing efficiency throughout the powertrain in both mobile and stationary applications, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions across sectors. Due to high overall efficiency (well-to-wheel) and the high gravimetric and volumetric energy density of conventional and future CO₂-neutral synthetic fuels, combustion engines will continue to be an important drive concept in transport and individual mobility in the next few years. We research and develop combustion engines both as the sole drive unit and in combination with an electric engine, as a hybrid drive system.

The overriding objective is to minimize fuel consumption or primary energy demand and emissions from the powertrain. At the same time, the drive systems need to be safe, flexible and readily available, and must be compatible with affordable mobility concepts. For this purpose we work with hybrid drive systems, highly efficient combustion processes, alternative engine concepts, improved engine mechanics and the use of residual energy. With our comprehensive research expertise and the cutting-edge equipment in our pilot plants, we are setting new trends in exhaust-gas cleanup, the use of renewable fuels and the application of high-performance construction materials. Our researchers use various simulation and optimization tools, as well as cutting-edge laboratory equipment and automated test stands.

• NKW-WHR
• WISA: Fuelreformer
• VBM4Z: MAGER/RWN/KOGNITIV
• RWN-PKW
• Industrial projects: High-efficiency combustion process 
• Methmag
• HannaE

• I. Kraljevic, H.-P. Kollmeier, U. Spicher: „Potenziale der Restwärmenutzung in mobilen Anwendungen“, 7. Internationale MTZ-Fachtagung Heavy-Duty-, On- und Off-Highway-Motoren, 2012 Nürnberg
• S. Schwaibold, M. Fischer, I. Kraljevic: „Brennkraftmaschine und Verfahren zu ihrem Betrieb“, Patent DE102013200884 A1, 21.01.2013
• I. Kraljevic, H.-P. Kollmeier, C. Rohrpasser, H. Striebich: „Verfahren zur Rückgewinnung von Wärme aus Verbrennungsmotoren sowie zur Umwandlung der rückgewonnenen Wärme in mechanische Energie“, Patent DE102014007214 A1, 19.05.2014
• I. Kraljevic, H. Striebich: “Potenzial des Rankine-Prozesses zur CO2-Emissionssenkung im Einsatz für PKW”, Haus der Technik Tagung: Abwärmenutzung, 2014 München
• I. Kraljevic, H.-P. Kollmeier, U. Spicher: „Rankine Cycle for Hybrid Vehicles: The Potential for CO2 Emissions Reduction”, ASME 2015 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall, 2015 Houston-USA
• R. Szolak, E. Morales Wiemer, I. Kraljevic, A. Susdorf et al.: „On-board Fuel Tailoring with a Novel Catalytic Evaporator for HCCI Combustion”, SAE World Congress 2016, 2016 Detroit-USA
• R. Szolak, I. Kraljevic, F. Rümmele, A. Susdorf et al.: „A catalytic evaporation process for in-cylinder soot and NOx reduction in internal combustion engines“, 11. Internationale MTZ-Fachtagung Heavy-Duty-, On- und Off-Highway-Motoren, 2016 Ulm
• M. Eisele, A. Dollinger, T. Burgert, I. Kraljevic et al.: „Entwicklung von hybriden Antriebssystemen für den Individualverkehr in der Profilregion Karlsruhe“, Repository KITopen
• I. Kraljevic, T. Weyhing: “Rankine System mit Ruths-Speicher zur Abwärmerekuperation im Pkw”, 3. VDI-Fachkonferenz Thermische Rekuperation in Fahrzeugen, 2017 Sindelfingen
• I. Kraljevic, T. Gottwald, U. Spicher: „Novel Rankine Cycle for Hybrid Vehicles”, SAE - International Powertrains, Fuels & Lubricants Meeting, 2018 Heidelberg
• M. Maliha, I. Kraljevic, F. Wytrykus, A. Bertola: „Innermotorische optische Rußuntersuchungen bei Ottomotoren“, MTZ-Motorentechnische Zeitschrift, MTZ 01|2020, 81. Jahrgang
• H. Schmid, H-P. Kollmeier, I. Kraljevic, T. Gottwald, F. Sobek, M. Bargende, M. Chiodi, A. Kaechele, F. Cupo: „LPG and prechamber as enabler for highly performant and efficient combustion processes under stoichiometric conditions”, SAE - 15th International Conference on Engines & Vehicles, 2021 Capri-Italy
• A. Vacca, M. Chiodi, M. Bargende, A. Casal Kulzer, S. Bucherer, P. Rothe, I. Kraljevic, H.-P. Kollmeier, A. Breuer, H. Ruhland: „Virtual Development of a New 3-Cylinders Natural Gas Engine with Active Pre-chamber“, 22. Internationales Stuttgarter Symposium, 2022 Stuttgart
• S. Bucherer, P. Rothe, I. Kraljevic, H.-P. Kollmeier, A. Vacca, M. Chiodi, A. Casal Kulzer, H. Ruhland, A. Breuer: “Design of an additive manufactured Natural Gas Engine with thermally conditioned Active Prechamber”, SAE-CO2 Reduction for Transportation Systems Conference, 2022 Turin-Italy