Automotive industry

In search of the Super-Fuel

Petrol or Diesel, you can’t reinvent – but at the BP/Aral Kraftstoffforschung in Bochum polishes you constantly the most efficient fuel for the engines of international automakers.

In the automotive industry, there is no standing still, engines are constantly being developed. This in turn is placing increasing demands on the fuel the engines burn. All the same, whether Diesel or petrol. Policy requirements such as stricter emission standards, which are also changes in the composition of the Sprits require. What is ultimately at the pumps in the Tanks of the vehicles flows, which have previously expert the BP/Aral Kraftstoffforschung in Bochum elaborately developed and tested. This research center at more than 80 years Tradition and is internationally regarded as one of the most powerful laboratories.

With a network of 2,500 filling stations in Germany, BP/Aral, as the market leader in Germany claims. And so the new models the automaker later, like clockwork run, it requires previously Serviceability and Langzeittestreihen with the substance, the the engines on tours. In the context of Joint-Venture projects would be the fuel-researchers are therefore already in a very early stage of new developments by car manufacturers into contact, says Aral project Manager Christian Bomholt. The co-operation motto is: “Future technology, future fuels” – “future technology, future fuels”.

Look in the Rollteststand: Here is the behavior of the fuel at different speeds are measured.

Other countries, other mixtures

It is, in the words of project Manager Bomholt, to that of the Fuel in the combustion no residue in the engine leaving as well as to the cold resistance and the efficiency. On the 19 fully automatic test benches roll vehicles of German and international manufacturers. So, also, cars, for example, otherwise, in Australia, new Zealand, South Africa or the UK to be refuelled. Because around the globe, noted company spokesman Detlef Brandenburg, swallowed cars are not everywhere the same fuel. “The different markets in the world have sometimes very different legislative requirements or standards. And the need by the fuels individually in each country are met.”

In the foreground stands according to the project Manager Bomholt, especially the goal, “fuel consumption optimization.” Also, because new motors with high-performance fuel-injection systems in the fuel higher requirements than traditional internal combustion engines. Therefore, the fuel is not only extremely clean, but he also has a huge mechanical load. “At injection Pressures beyond 2,500 bar,” explains Diplom-Ingenieur Christian Bomholt, “is that a significant mechanical Stress. The fuel is like with a Hammer worked. It may be he its oxidation stability and its Reinhalteeigenschaften not lose.“

Laborverbrauch: 400.000 liters per year

Smaller trials, the correct proportioning of chemical additives to find, take a few months. A complete development cycle, however, can take years. How much is Germany’s leading research on the bottom-line costs, about Aral no information. Finally refined one not only to continually enhance the quality of the fuels produced, but also looking in the future of the automobile. So explore and test the 75 employees are experts on alternative fuels and components, such as Biodiesel, Ethanol, This, hydrogenated vegetable oil as well as gaseous and liquid natural gas. This pays out, if at all, only much later.

Must reckon the effort for the petroleum company, once in the present, namely through the sale of high-performance fuels. That is why on one of the 19 test benches of the engine of a vehicle under the attentive Computer-control. And while 30 hours long, mind you: at full throttle. Be checked possible deposits on the fuel injectors. Because if there is residue build-up, makes the performance of the engine. Then, when the additives similar to the virtual cogs to turn.

Full throttle without the end – view of the test bench for Langzeittestreihen

Only efficiency counts

Whether the vehicle manufacturers stated Fuel consumption figures of the reality on the street are about to lose the staff of Aral-Forschung, of course, no syllable. You go it alone to the efficiency of the fuel. In any other of the 19 Laborhallen rule behind hermetically sealed doors either polar or tropical temperatures. In this Klimaprüfstand the interaction between engines and fuels from plus 40 to minus 40 degrees tested. And the for days, to see if the engine starts and the fuel flows.

Behind the wheel with “Alfred” and “Lisa” two-insensitive employees: There are two Fahrroboter, run any command, where the temperature fluctuations but nothing to make up. For up to at least minus 20 degrees cold in Germany delivered fuels at the Start and during the ride will be stable, ” explains project Manager Bomholt. Thus, the research objectives to be achieved, flows in Bochum plenty of Fuel by the engines of the test vehicles – not less than almost 400,000 litres per year.