Ashok Leyland and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have collaborated for the development and commercialisation of ‘Swirl Mesh Lean Direct Injection (LDI) system’ technology to support a series of hybrid electric vehicles using this turbine technology.
IIT Madras Researchers a National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) are developing an indigenously-designed Micro Gas Turbine; its core is the patented combustion technology called Swirl Mesh Lean Direct Injection system. The main powertrain will be the electric motors, but the onboard power will be generated by the Micro Gas Turbine, developed jointly by NCCRD and Aerostrovilos Energy, an IITM-incubated start-up. This Micro Gas Turbine will replace the large battery.
After the technology was demonstrated on a lab scale, Ashok Leyland signed a letter of support to develop this technology for the heavy vehicles segment with NCCRD, IIT Madras. As part of the collaboration, Ashok Leyland handed over to NCCRD a 9-meter passenger electric bus. This bus would be converted as part of the series of vehicles having the hybrid powertrain with the micro gas turbine developed by NCCRD and Aerostrovilos, noted Prof Sathya Chakravarthy, Coordinator, NCCRD, IIT Madras.
He said, 'This marks our conviction of not only working with the industry on innovative technological solutions of societal impact but also pushing the inhouse developments on innovation to see the light of day with the industry.”
Dr N Saravanan, CTO, Ashok Leyland, added, “Micro Gas Turbines hold significant promise as a technology that will extend fuel combustion beyond traditional IC Engines and provide for more efficient performance and multi-fuel capability. Ashok Leyland is proud to be associated with IIT Madras and Aerostrovilos in this development effort.”