Detroit Diesel Corp. announced it will build on its long-standing relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy to continue developing advanced diesel engine technologies.

Detroit Diesel was recently recognized with grants from the DOE that will assist in funding two projects: one for a proposed High Efficiency Clean Combustion (HECC) program and the other a proposed Exhaust Energy Recovery (ER) program.
DDC is working on emergent, commercially viable technologies that improve thermal efficiency while meeting emissions regulations of 2010 and beyond. DDC will pursue the development of such technologies through the proposed HECC program, as well as through its work on the ER program.
These two programs combined are worth an estimated $27 million in government grants over the course of the next several years.
The collaborative HECC program is targeting a very challenging technical
goal: to combine several processes that enhance engine combustion individually into one system enabling high efficiency clean combustion across the entire engine speed-load range. Additionally, the project will develop engine systems, hardware and controls to improve thermal efficiency while meeting emissions levels of 2010 and beyond. Through working with the DOE, Detroit Diesel will continue to push thermal efficiency levels higher, supporting the Department of Energy's strategic goals of reduced dependence on foreign oil and lower CO2 eemissions Detroit Diesel will also work closely with the Freightliner Group, Sandia National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Shell International Gas Limited.
Like the HECC program, the collaborative Exhaust Energy Recovery program is intended to improve heavy-duty diesel engine fuel economy as it focuses on evaluating engine-based technologies to partially recover and convert exhaust energy into useful mechanical and electrical work.
The focus of the program will be on the development of technologies -- like turbocompounding -- to optimize integration among powertrain components (engine, aftertreatment, transmission and axles) and the vehicle in an effort to reduce fuel consumption.
Successful completion of the ER program is expected to result in commercially viable technologies that will provide significant energy, environmental and economic benefits upon implementation.
Detroit Diesel is a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler and part of the Freightliner Group. For more information, go to www.detroitdiesel.com.