As part of Saudi Aramco's commitment to shaping a greener energy future, the company was proud to be principal sponsor of the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) 2015 Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) Engine Symposium recently held in Capri, Italy. The event brought together engineers, researchers, car manufacturers, regulators, and fuel manufacturers to present the latest breakthroughs on engine and combustion technology, as well as provide a forum in which to work together to bring this sustainable transportation solution to life. A pavilion was manned by members of the Saudi Aramco Research and Development Center (R&DC) who engaged with the many engineers and researchers present, providing them with information on the latest breakthroughs on engine and combustion research, as well as with our conference brochure detailing future transportation trends, and our work on GCI and other sustainable transportation developments. Aramco was also well represented in the technical sessions. Gautam Kalghatgi, principal professional at our reseach center, presented “Fuel Implications for Gasoline Compression Ignition Engines.” Steve Przesmitzki, transportation analysis team leader at the Aramco Research Center-Detroit, also presented “Gasoline Compression Ignition Technology Enabling a Sustainable Mobility Solution” to a receptive audience. Both presentations stimulated discussion among attendees in the conference hall. The symposium closed with “The Way Forward Panel Discussion” in which Amer Amer, chief technologist in Aramco's Fuel Technology Division, took part. The panel discussed the future challenges and solutions for GCI engine technology. Road transport alone contributes about a fifth of the European Union's total emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, with various projections suggesting that in the coming decades the worldwide demand for transport fuels will significantly increase. Engines based on GCI technology offers an opportunity to reduce these emissions. They are like today’s diesel engines but will run on low octane gasoline. Current diesel engines are efficient but expensive and complicated because they try to reduce NOx and soot emissions, which are of increasing concern, while using conventional diesel fuels which ignite very easily. Low-octane gasoline with high ignition delay makes low-NOx/low soot combustion much easier. Moreover, such fuels will need much less processing in the refinery compared to today’s diesel or gasoline fuel. The advantages of the GCI concept are:

  • The engine will be at least as efficient and clean as current diesel engines but will be less complicated and therefore cheaper
  • The optimum fuel will be less processed and therefore will require less energy to make compared to current gasoline or diesel fuels
  • It provides a path to mitigate the global demand imbalance between heavier and lighter fuels that is otherwise projected.

Saudi Aramco is actively involved in fuel, engine and combustion research at all levels. Saudi Aramco established the Clean Combustion Research Center at KAUST in Thuwal, focusing on fundamental fuels and combustion research. The center provides world-class research facilities and brings world-renowned talent together to develop and propagate fundamental knowledge crucial for clean fuel combustion. The company has also conducted fuels and engine research in Dhahran for many years. Recently, Aramco established a research center in Detroit dedicated to developing advanced fuels and engine technologies. The company also opened a fuel research center in Paris in 2013. Manufacturers are planning to start producing demonstrator GCI engine vehicles in 2018. Introduction on a larger scale to the market will follow but is likely to take place several years later.