University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Electrical Engineering -
Department of Mechatronics 
Laboratory of Control Engineering and
Power Electronics
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Active projects
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Research projects (co)funded by the Slovenian Research Agency.
| Member of University of Ljubljana | UL Faculty of Electrical Engineering |
| Code | L2-2619 |
| Project | Advanced electronic power supply for automotive catalytic converter |
| Period | 01.09.2020-31.08.2023 |
| Range on year | 1,402 FTE |
| Head |
Vanja Ambrožič |
| Research activity | 2.12 Engineering sciences and technologies/Electric devices |
| Research Organisations |
Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko Hidria |
| Project description | In recent decades, the number of registered cars
with internal combustion engine has been steadily increasing, which together with the trend of population relocation to larger cities represents a rising burden on the environment. Car manufacturers are trying to keep up with the increasingly stringent emission limit values set out in the new European Directives in different ways, with emissions being most affected by the catalytic converter exhaust system. For efficient operation, it requires high temperature, which is provided by the thermal energy of exhaust gases. Unfortunately, the average EU employee daily travels a relatively short distance but spends a long time in the car. The disadvantage of short and slow driving is that the engine and the catalytic converter fail to heat up or maintain the optimum temperature, leading to increased emissions of harmful gases. Among the known approaches for achieving a better catalyst efficiency, such as an additional smaller catalyst or a gas trap system (LNT trap), the electrically heated catalyst, which was already built into a few luxury cars but not widely used because of the price, seems the most promising. The proposed research project focuses on several key objectives, namely: 1) price optimization of the electronic power supply, 2) the introduction of advanced control of semiconductor switches, which could eliminate some of the more expensive components, and 3) the introduction of new semiconductor and passive components technologies for volume optimization. The project consortium will summarize the work towards finding the most cost-effective solution for the serial production of an advanced electronic car catalytic converter module into several work packages (WP). In WP1, the partners will begin with an overview of the field (review of scientific literature, pricing and technology specifications) and analysis of existing solutions, and then evaluate the proposed solutions (WP2) in theoretical, analytical, and numerical terms. Based on these, partners will design experimental and demonstration models (WP3 and WP4). During the project, the design of the system will be modified and adjusted accordingly for cost-optimization. Throughout the project, we will ensure that the findings are shared between the participating research organizations (ROs) and results are disseminated in journals and conferences (WP6). To achieve the results, a wide range of high-end research equipment is available to consortium partners. The consortium has research licenses for the best simulation packages in the field of power electronics design (Ansys, MATLAB, PLECS, Altium, etc.), as well as an extensive range of laboratory test and measurement equipment. Most important are a set of EMC test equipment and a test chamber manufactured by AVL, which enables the replacement of the catalytic converter in the exhaust system and the analysis of exhaust gases, pressure, temperature, fuel consumption, etc. The consortium partners will manage the project in accordance with established good management practices. Defined project milestones will be described in the regular reports and a final report will be prepared. The risk assessment shows some critical points, but with due care and attention, the set objectives can be achieved. The project addresses a part of an extremely pressing problem that affects practically the whole world, since air quality is directly linked to human health, which is additionally endangered especially in urban environments, where concentrations of cars, and consequently emissions, are higher. The design of an electronic power supply for a catalytic converter, which would be cost-optimized and therefore suitable for serial installation in modern passenger cars, could therefore have a tremendous impact on the quality of life in urban environments, on the health of the society and due to higher catalyst efficiency contribute to the reduction of precious metals in catalysts. |
| Researchers | Team members |
| The phases of the project and their realization | The project is currently undergoing the phase corresponding to WP1: Field review and comparative analysis. |
| Citations for bibliographic records | Link |
(c) LRT-ME 2010
