Delphi Presents Evaporative Emissions Control Strategies for Hybrid Powertrains at Tank Tech Congress

Dr. Andrzej Kalina, engineering manager for emission control products, will present a technical paper titled, Hydrocarbon Emission Management for HEV and PHEV Hybrid Powertrains. The paper will address coming changes in legislation in the United States and Canada and the impact of that legislation in terms of evaporative control requirements. The paper also focuses on the vision of hydrocarbon management system and the need for new components such as vapor control valving, purge boosting and hydrocarbon sensing, as well as the performance of Delphi's hydrocarbon management system and test results.

The future of evaporative emission control systems is driven by the development of hybrid powertrains, the extended electric range of vehicles and changes in evaporative emission control legislation. Modern evaporative emission control systems for hybrid vehicles require the development of new components and a vapor management system approach. The performance and design of the carbon canister, as part of the fuel system, becomes more critical from the perspective of engine fueling and engine management.

Delphi is dedicated to developing high-quality, cost-effective fuel handling technologies for integration with current and new engine designs. Delphi is one of the world's leading manufacturers of evaporative emission control systems including canisters, producing millions annually and providing customers with products that offer world-class quality and performance.

With more than 35 years' experience, Delphi has the expertise and in-depth knowledge of evaporative emissions canister design and market requirements to help manufacturers meet evolving evaporative emissions criteria and changing platform designs, said Ives Hislaire, Delphi's global sales director for fuel handling and evaporative systems.

The solutions presented by Delphi include advanced integrated evaporative emissions systems for hybrids and partial zero-emissions (PZEV) vehicle hybrids: carbon canisters, canister modules, electrically heated hydrocarbon scrubbers and hydrocarbon sensors for integrated and non-integrated fuel systems.

These new technologies and technical solutions become enablers for future gasoline powered hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains in terms of compliance with evaporative emission standards. The standards require control of volatile hydrocarbons (fuel vapor) being released from gasoline fuel systems at any vehicle condition: driving, refuelling or parking. In order to protect the environment and air quality, vapors are temporarily stored in evaporative emissions canisters and introduced as fuel in the engine during vehicle operation.

Delphi hybrid evaporative emissions canister modules have been specially designed to help vehicle manufacturers meet the world's most stringent evaporative emissions requirements (LEV II and LEV III; PZEV and various hybrid vehicle systems) while optimizing a vehicle's fuel economy. The modules include a highly efficient carbon canister, a robust electrically heated hydrocarbon scrubber, an advanced electronic controller and a hydrocarbon sensor.

While conventional evaporative emissions canisters are designed to operate with regular purge cycles, Delphi's hybrid canister modules provide increased canister regeneration efficiency that enables optimal evaporative emissions control in low purge engine operation.

##IMAGE_3_R## Delphi's innovative solution helps vehicle manufacturers minimize fuel system complexity and vehicle assembly costs. This technology may eliminate the need for pressurized systems in PZEV full hybrid vehicle systems, which contributes to an overall vehicle program cost reduction. And, the heated scrubber allows the use of low cost carbon for further cost savings. Other benefits include increased durability, safety and reliability.

Delphi offers a comprehensive set of solutions, which can meet customer and application requirements for various, full, mild and micro hybrid powertrains, complying with today and future (Euro 6 and US LEV III) evaporative emission standards.