MTU’s Stage V Flex Package debuts capacitor-based engine starting technology

Img 0461To meet Europe’s next round of emissions restrictions, MTU as developed an engine design that uses what the company calls its Emission Flex Package. The Flex Package will enable these engines to meet different world emissions requirements and adapt to different diesel fuel sulphur levels with nothing more than a software change to the engine control modules.

MTU’s Series 1000 to 1500 engines are currently being developed jointly under a long term contract with Daimler, which was MTU’s parent company before Rolls-Royce bought them in 2014. The engines use advanced internal engine technology, an SCR system and an additional diesel particulate filter.

The engines will boost torque at low rpms and reduce fuel burn over an extended power range compared to previous models, says Bernd Krüper, head of construction & agriculture business at MTU.

The software that governs MTU’s Emission Flex Package, can turn the emissions controls off when the engine is being used in countries with lower emissions standards or higher sulphur fuels. This eliminates requirements for bolt-on (or off) components or mechanical retrofits which require time and money. It also keeps the footprint of the engine the same so customers don’t need to modify engine bay designs.

The Emission Flex Package will also be offered as a retrofit solution for Series 900, 460 and 500 engines based on a Mercedes-Benz engine series designed to meet European Stage IIIB and Tier 4 interim. For new engines, the Emission Flex Package is planned for European Stage IV and Tier 4.

Capacitor starts

Cranking up a big diesel engine takes a lot of battery power and MTU has tackled this problem by designing a starting system that uses supercapacitors. The company’s Capacitor Power System, aka CaPoS, was installed for the first time in three mining trucks running on MTU Series 4000 engines in a mine in South Africa.

Instead of needing eight batteries to start the truck, with the CaPoS, the trucks needed just four batteries. By using super capacitors, this maintenance free starter system extends the service life of the batteries five-fold.