Cool test-runnings for Cummins Euro 6 engines
Cummins’ Euro 6 ISB engines have been undergoing cold-climate testing in Sweden and Norway, with successful results, the company says.
As part of a three-year development programme, engineers spent four weeks carrying out product validation over 6,000km in extreme conditions, and temperatures as low as -29°C.
The vehicles deployed for the task were an 18-tonne truck powered by an ISB6.7, and a 12-tonne truck powered by an ISB4.5. Both were instrumented to collect engineering data from the engines, aftertreatment system and other related truck components.
The testing team was based in Kiruna, Sweden, 145km north of the Arctic Circle, where the average ambient temperature was expected to be -20°C. The area was chosen for its good roads and workshop facilities. Typical test routes were in and around the Kiruna area, as well as Narvik in Norway. Driving conditions on the E10 road to Norway were particularly challenging, said Cummins.
Both vehicles were installed with advanced telemetry which measures and records more than 1,300 engine and vehicle parameters on a real-time basis. This data was automatically sent via GSM equipment back to the Darlington Technical Centre every hour for review and analysis by functional specialists.
After validating findings and identifying solutions in the lab, the test team on site in Kiruna were then able to make focused adjustments and modifications to the engine and aftertreatment system to further optimise performance in the cold ambient temperatures.
Throughout the test Cummins engineering teams monitored the Euro 6 technologies to ensure emissions compliance was maintained in the challenging climate. The aftertreatment system (incorporating Cummins’ DPF and SCR technologies) has to be kept within a specific temperature band to operate efficiently.
Jonathan Atkinson, chief engineer of product development said: “The testing successfully validated Cummins’ hardware and control strategy for Euro 6 in very cold conditions. This is an important step in our development programme which combined with our hot climate work, ensures that our Euro 6 package delivers for all vehicle users, wherever and whenever they operate.”
