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Project details

TIFFE

Thermal systems integration for fuel economy
Integrating thermal systems for fuel economy  (c) Digitalvision

Funding: European (7th RTD Framework Programme)
Duration: 06/2009 - 11/2012
Transport themes: Intelligent transport systems , Innovative technologies (key theme) , Road transport , Climate policy and energy efficiency , Environmental impacts
  • Outline
  • Funding
  • Documents
  • Contact

Background & policy context

The project is devoted to the development of an innovative Integrated Vehicle Thermal System based on the integration of vehicle thermal systems to improve the on board thermal management and the energy efficiency.

Objectives

The objective of TIFFE is to create a cost reduction (due to resize of the systems and their integration) and a remarkable fuel economy increase.

Methodology

The major project works concern:

  • Dual loop air conditioning: one loop to transfer the cooling power and one loop to reject the heat;
  • Two-levels temperature heat rejection system: one temperature to reject the high temperature heat (e,g. engine waste heat) and one temperature to cool locally the vehicle auxiliary systems;
  • Innovative heat exchangers: new generation of compact fluid-to fluid heat exchangers and application of innovative technologies for fluid-to-air heat rejection;
  • Use of innovative coolants (e.g. Nanofluids). To improve the heat rejection and redesign the heat exchangers TIFFE benefits can be summarised in a Cost Reduction (due to resize of the systems and their integration) and Fuel Economy increase of 15% on real use thanks to the:
    • improvement of the aerodynamics due the new front end design - increase of auxiliary systems efficiency thanks to the local cooling;
    • engine overall efficiency thanks to a fine control of heat exchange, local cooling (turbocharge, fuel, etc) and improvement of the engine intake;
    • the reduction of engine re-starts on Hybrid or Stop and Start vehicle due to cabin thermal comfort: the dual loop air conditioning with a designed thermal inertia guarantees thermal comfort when the thermal engine is off;
    • compact Refrigeration Unit compliant with Low GWP refrigerants R744 or flammables (e.g. R152a, R1234yf). Two prototypes will be realised and validated:
    1. a gasoline passenger car with Stop and Start function;
    2. a diesel Light Commercial Vehicle with hybrid power train Both will undergo to a complete series of road and climatic chamber tests and a long range road test. For example from Catania (I) to Cape North (N) to verify the reliability and effectiveness of the system and to promote its exploitation.;

Research Programme

FP7-TPT - Transport (Including Aeronautics) - Horizontal activities for implementation of the transport programme (TPT)

Leading institution(s)

Other:

The European Commission

Type of funding

Public (EU)

Project presentation

Brochure (343 Kb)

Partners

  • TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BRAUNSCHWEIG
  • SINTEF ENERGI AS
  • MAFLOW S.P.A.
  • FORD-WERKE GMBH
  • DENSO THERMAL SYSTEMS S.P.A.

Contact for further information

Massimo CASALI (Dr)
CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPA
Strada Torino, ORBASSANO (TO), ITALIA
ORBASSANO (TO)
Italy

CORDIS: Project page
Website: Organisation website
Website: TIFFE Project website