OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
Six editions of the THIESEL Conference have consolidated its position
as a meeting point between industry, research institutions and academia involved
in the Diesel automotive sector; in fact, the international attendance has grown
steadily since its first edition in 2000, thus indicating that there was a real
need for such a gathering. However, engine science and technology have evolved during
these years, with new emerging engine concepts so that the frontiers between spark-ignition
and compression-ignition are becoming more and more diffuse. In such a technological
context, it seems reasonable to exploit R&D synergies and enhance the exchange
of valuable knowledge and experience by extending the scope of the Conference to
include also spark-ignited engines. Hence the new name for this 7th edition:
THIESEL Conference on ‘Thermo- and Fluid-Dynamic Processes in Direct Injection Engines’.
It is generally agreed that the internal combustion engine will remain
the main propulsion system for vehicles in the next 20 to 30 years and beyond. Therefore,
innovative research on combustion engines represents the most promising way to a
substantial reduction of pollutant emissions, until new solutions based on hydrogen
and fuel cell technologies may reach their maturity.
Innovation, however, calls for important
research efforts. On the combustion side, further development for advanced control
strategies and hardware able to fully exploit the flexibility provided by modern
multiple injection systems will be required. Regarding other engine processes, advances
will also be necessary in the thermal and air management of the engine, in response
to foreseen demands for a precise control of heat flows, exhaust gas recirculation
(EGR) and turbo-charging system operation. Also, it is likely that new and interesting
issues to be solved regarding after-treatment technology and engine noise abatement
will arise.
The outlook allows for an optimistic
view on the potential of clean and silent combustion engine technologies. However,
their eventual success depends on the academic researchers’ awareness of the automotive
industry needs and on the will of automotive industry to invest in medium-to-long
term basic research.
The main objective of THIESEL
2012 is to contribute to this success by attracting good quality papers from both
Industry and Academia, describing the most recent developments and latest innovations
relative to thermo-and fluid dynamic processes in direct injection engines, and
by facilitating the exchange of valuable knowledge and experience between the main
actors of the automotive R&D sector.