And here's the google search on the subject if anyone's interested.
Edit: It seems the link didn't work so do a search for: adiabatic diesel engine

 

very interesting kwik... so tell me... this would make the "cold air" intake systems actually make your mule less fuel effieciant... and your "kwik filter" setup would actually be better since it draws warm air from under the hood to the motor... just wondering... at what point would the temps cook the turbo on that adiabatic diesel... or did it even have one..?

 

Now I am wondering if an intercooler delete would be good for the NBS superduties. LOL.

 

I am wondering too.

 

All the talk of emissions and efficiency is very interesting. But if you want to find out whether an intercooler is useful for performance, just look at the diesels that are being drag raced. Those guys don't care at all about emissions, they are only after performance - and they are all using HUGE intercoolers to match their giant boost levels.

The reality is - intercoolers are very, very useful devices. As you all know, the turbo compresses the intake charge for the purpose of getting more air into the motor. The more air, the more fuel can be mixed in, and the more power you can get out. Intercoolers are used for BOTH emissions AND performance in diesel engines.

For emissions purposes:
The intercooler cools the intake charge, which increases the charge density and allows a greater amount of oxygen into the chamber than could be had without it. If no more fuel is added is added, this promotes a more complete and cleaner burn and makes the eco-***** almost happy (they'll only be happy when we are all riding bicycles - though how sufficient food for our population will be grown or transported without motorized vehicles is beyond me).

For performance purposes:
The intercooler cools the intake charge, which increases the charge density and allows a greater amount of oxygen into the chamber than could be had without it. This allows for greater quantity of fuel injected for increased power while still controlling exhaust gas temperatures. The more boost, the higher the compressed air temperature. A gasser running 5psi will see a little benefit with an intercooler - a diesel running 40psi will see a lot of benefit.

An intercooler is used for precisely the same reason as a turbocharger - to get more air in. The intake temperature is important primarily because of the charge density (to control EGT) issue, not so much because of burn efficiency.

Point in fact - an OBS PSD is turbocharged but has no intercooler. Although the intake temperature is MUCH MUCH higher than a pre-PSD, IDI non-turbocharged 6.9 (which has intake temp not much higher than ambient), the PSD injects more fuel, and makes much more power, yet stilled has well-controlled EGT (stock compared to stock).

The difference is in the amount of air getting into the combustion chamber.

 

By the way, the idea of improving the intake charge density by uncoupling the hot side of the compressor outlet from the cooled intake at the silly Y junction is a good one. I don't know a practical way for me to apply it, but I like it. Combining the two so we get to heat up the just-cooled intake charge is a manufacturing cost/engineering compromise that is questionable at best.

Also, I'm not sure I'd blame Ford for this one - Ford didn't make these engines. Check out an International truck with a T444E engine and see if it uses the same or similar intake setup as the PSD. I haven't looked at one, but I'm betting it is about the same.

 

i agree, this is probably a case where ford was not to blame, but come on... somebody should have taken one look at this and said: "who's the moron who came up with this idea...!?!"

 

I hate all of you. Just when I think I'm starting to catch on, somebody makes me realize that I don't know squat. Being dumb is much harder than I make it look.

 

baaahhhhaaaahhaaaa...! don't feel bad... i always feel like that...! even if i am pretty sure about what i'm talkin' about... the simple fact is... someone somewhere is always gonna have some more experience than i do on most things... but that's what's so great about this forum...!