Volvo adds EGR exhaust gas recirculation to 13-litre engine

Volvo Trucks is widening its engine range with the launch of a D13 engine featuring EGR exhaust gas recirculation. The engine is available in four power output levels and is certified for current emission requirements according to Euro 4 – but without after-treatment of exhaust gases. Volvo is the first truck manufacturer in the world with this solution.

“The D13B with EGR is a complement to the D13A with SCR. SCR technology is still our main way ahead, but now we are broadening our engine range and offer low-emission engines irrespective of exhaust emission control,” explains Mats Franzén, engine manager with the Product Strategy and Planning department at Volvo Trucks. “Our industry-leading expertise within these two main diesel engine technologies thus now benefits our customers to an even greater extent,”

Available in four power output variants
The all-new D13B engine series, with power outputs of 360, 400, 440 and 500hp, will be available for both the Volvo FM and the Volvo FH range of vehicles, although the 500 hp variant is reserved solely for Volvo FH. Introduction of the D13B is scheduled for September 2007 and will be priced competitively with the comparative SCR offering.

The D13B with EGR exhaust gas recirculation meets the Euro 4 emissions regulations. The D13 engine is at heart an in-line six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a displacement of 12.8 litres, featuring a single cylinder head, overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder and centrally located vertical unit injectors. The timing mechanism is located at the rear of the engine. The position of the power take-off beside the flywheel permits high power outputs – 1000 Nm.

EGR exhaust gas recirculation without particle filter
With EGR exhaust gas recirculation, some of the exhaust gases are cooled in the EGR radiator and returned to the engine via the intake air. These returned exhaust gases help reduce the combustion temperature, which results in lower nitrogen oxide content in the exhaust gases. The main component of the system is the variable VGT turbocharger which regulates gas flow, together with the EGR valve,

Volvo meets the Euro 4 requirement without after-treatment of exhaust gases, which makes Volvo the first company in the world to offer this solution. The main advantage of EGR is its simple installation and the fact that the technology does not require the use of any additives.

Low-revving power and good starting traction
The D13B has the same good driving properties as the D13A, which was launched in autumn 2005. Since then, the engine has proven itself to be a worthy successor to the D12. The D13 has the same bore as its predecessor, but the stroke is longer and cylinder displacement is accordingly larger. The long stroke provides the engine’s raw strength straight from low revs, while the generous torque spans a wide rev range.

EGR suits special applications
The low-rev power of the new D13B provides excellent starting traction and the engine is admirably suited, among other things, to the construction segment where the driveline’s starting and hill-climbing ability have the highest priority. EGR does not affect chassis packaging in any way and requires neither an AdBlue tank nor any form of after-treatment system. As a result, a vertical silencer is available as an option with the new D13B engine.
Cont/…..
“The EGR solution is ideal for a variety of special applications in construction operations that require flexible chassis installations. For example, construction trucks that require vertical exhaust systems or a crane mounted behind the cab,” says Brian Smith, Truck manager at Volvo Truck and Bus. “However, for long-haul duties and other applications with a high fuel turnover, the SCR solution is our recommendation since it is the most fuel-efficient alternative today.”

The new D13B is naturally also available with the high-efficiency VEB+ auxiliary brake. Its engine braking output is a massive 340 kW. Driveability both uphill and on downhill gradients is thus excellent.

D13 in nine variations
With the introduction of the new D13B, the customer now has an even wider range of options. The dependable D13 engine, divided into two engine series – D13A and D13B – is now available in no less than nine variants.