One of the active sections of the Automotive, Fuel, and Environment Research Institute is the Fuel Group. Given the important role of fuel in combustion and air pollution, the center has taken steps to improve fuel quality, use of novel fuels, improve the combustion process, and model these areas.
One of the most important activities of the center in the field of fuel is related to compressed natural gas (CNG). Considering that Iran has abundant proven and probable natural gas reserves in the world and ranks among the top three countries in terms of reserves, evaluating the use of this fuel from various perspectives seemed essential. Therefore, the Automotive, Fuel, and Environment Research Institute undertook the technical and economic evaluation of this new industry. In this context, the CNG task force was formed within the institute to examine various aspects of this industry. The first CNG alternative fuel and gas-powered vehicle conference was held in May 2004 at the International Conference Halls of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization, in collaboration with the National Iranian Fuel Conservation Company. At this conference, all experts, specialists, and heads related to the CNG industry participated, and many papers were submitted and approved. In this regard, books titled Pollution, CNG Refueling Stations, Conversion Kits, Fuel Tanks, and Gas Engines were published and made available to specialists and enthusiasts.
Fuel Group The main projects completed by the Fuel Group can be summarized as follows:
- Review and analysis of articles on CNG at international conferences and the formulation of the CNG strategy of the country for training the required specialized workforce
- Formulation of fuel consumption standards for gas-powered vehicles
- Formulation of fuel consumption standards for diesel vehicles
- Formulation of fuel consumption standards for agricultural machinery
- Examination of diesel engine technology and fuel supply for light vehicles along with cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of fuel consumption and the environment
- Numerical and experimental study of the effects of various natural gas compositions on gas engines
- Feasibility study and examination of solutions to reduce pollutant production in Saipa-produced vehicles to EURO-I standard levels
Other activities and capabilities of the research institute include modeling the power and heat production from the combustion of various fuels, as outlined below:
Experimental and numerical study of the effects of natural gas compositions
Differences in natural gas compositions in various regions of Iran present a serious challenge. These differences can lead to poor engine performance or even damage gas appliances designed for operation with natural gas compositions differing from the current fuel. Engine knocking and valve damage due to sulfur content can be examples of poor performance and damage.
The Automotive, Fuel, and Environment Research Institute has studied the effects of various natural gas compositions on combustion, pollution, and the performance of gas engines both experimentally and numerically, as well as the physical damage to engine components under the influence of different natural gas compositions in laboratory conditions.
Study of soot formation
Soot formation in internal combustion engines not only leads to significant energy loss but also poses significant health risks as a pollutant. The institute has developed a comprehensive computational code to accurately calculate the amount of soot produced from various fuel combustion regimes.
Biofuels:
Given the increasing use of biofuels, the center has also conducted activities to develop its technical knowledge and capabilities in this field, which include:
- Study of biogas and biodiesel production technology from biomass.
- Study of the chemical exergy of reactions related to species present in biofuels.
- Preparation of a detailed chemical mechanism database compatible with species present in biofuels.
Energy Group
In today’s world, the importance of the development of science, knowledge, and technology has become evident, and competition to acquire technology in various fields has increased. The rising energy consumption in modern industrial societies, besides the risk of rapidly depleting fossil resources, has also exposed the world to irreversible and threatening environmental changes. Therefore, in international programs and policies aimed at global sustainable development, a special role has been assigned to enhancing the efficiency of existing technologies, utilizing new technologies, and renewable energy sources. It is worth noting that, given the rapid population growth and increasing energy demand, fundamental changes in energy policy seem necessary, so that, in addition to achieving development and new commercial opportunities, environmental sustainability can also be attained.
Alongside extensive research worldwide on various energy sources, including renewable energy and the stages of technology improvement and stabilization, one of the essential issues is the establishment of educational and research centers aimed at training specialized human resources in the energy field.
In this regard, Iran, due to its cultural and native-industrial structure and abundant fossil and renewable energy resources, is no exception and has taken significant steps in this direction. The Energy Department of the Automotive, Fuel, and Environment Research Institute, as one of the specialized centers in the energy field, was established with the aim of producing up-to-date science and knowledge, supplying specialized and efficient human resources for the academic and industrial sectors of the country, and carrying out various energy-related projects, and has so far completed various projects in this direction.
The main projects completed by the Energy Department can be summarized as follows:
- Thermodynamic modeling of household gas meters to increase the accuracy of gas consumption measurement
- Technical-economic feasibility study of using medium-scale CNG refueling stations with three pilot samples
- Technical-economic feasibility study of using LNG-powered vehicles in Iran
- Development of numerical simulation software for lead-acid batteries
- Aero-thermodynamic modeling of three-dimensional flow around moving and stationary gas turbine blades using Fluent software
- Hydrodynamic analysis of acid absorption towers
- Aerodynamic modeling of a 660-kilowatt wind turbine using Fluent software
- Dynamic simulation of gas release in lines of a superblock with 250 psi pressure during a crisis
- Combustion simulation in three-burner model D boilers
- Design and prototyping of a new burner duct to localize its technical knowledge
- Design and implementation of software for modeling steady multiphase flow inside wells and transmission pipes
- Localization of design and construction of a mobile CNG refueling station
- Technical-economic feasibility study and design of a small-scale power, heat, and cooling plant with a total capacity of 100 megawatts in the Bushehr Special Economic Zone
- Technical-economic feasibility study and design of a small-scale power, heat, and cooling plant with a capacity of 10 megawatts for the Khuzestan Industrial Town
- Technical-economic feasibility study and design of a small-scale power, heat, and cooling plant with a total capacity of 10 megawatts for a hydroponic greenhouse
- Design of a 100-kilowatt micro-turbo generator for use in units requiring simultaneous power, heat, and cooling
- Technical-economic feasibility study for the design and construction of a 3-megawatt gearless wind turbine in Iran
- Technical-economic feasibility study of implementing the Organic Rankine Cycle in heat production units and preliminary design of a 500-kilowatt Organic Rankine unit
- Feasibility study for the construction of a thermal desalination plant with a capacity of 1,000,000 cubic meters per day in Bushehr
- Technical-economic feasibility study for the construction and operation of a rose hydroponic greenhouse with the capability of supplying electricity, heat, and CO2 from a small-scale CHP plant in Sistan and Baluchestan province