AFLAD

Automotive Fuels and Lubricant Application Division (AFLAD) was established in 1964 with the technical collaboration of Institut Francaisdu Petrole (IFP), France. Since its establishment, the division has expanded both in space and capabilities which makes it unique not only in India but even in the entire S.E. Asia region. It is spread over an area of more than 50,000 Sq. Ft. (4650 Sq. m.) and has different engine test-benches, varying from 2 to about 250 bhp capacities to conduct studies of performance, emissions ,wear etc. Apart from engine test beds, AFLAD also has facility for mass emission measurement for vehicles. AFLAD has nine devoted Scientists and technical support personnel of about 40. It is well provided with modern instrumentation and equipments to conduct basic and applied research related to the use of fuels, lubricants and engines including facilities to carryout performance evaluation of fuels and lubricants according to Indian and some International specifications.

In Recent years, the major thrust has been on :

Laboratory and field investigations to

Study the effect of fuel quality on the performance of diesel and gasoline vehicles
Use of compressed natural gas, alcohols, etc. as alternative fuels, and
Monitor and control of vehicular emissions

Design and development of energy efficient engines
Basic studies on engine processes, engine lubrication , and
Certification of vehicles as per Central Motor Vehicle Act/Rules

Various facilities available in different Divisions of IIP add to strengths of AFLAD making it an ideal place to carry out research on Fuels and Lubricants .A variety of contract R&D projects are currently being carried out and the outcome of these projects will help taking policy decisions at the national level on various aspects like fuel economy norms of vehicles, GHG emissions from vehicles, issues related to use of straight vegetable oil (SVO) in small engines, use of E10 in gasoline, use of bio-diesel and ethanol in HSD etc. AFLAD has been actively engaged in studies related to utilization of alternate fuels like ethanol, methanol, Bio-butanol, CNG, DME, DEE and Hydrogen . Studies were also carried out on utilization of bio-gas in stationary diesel engines and utilization of methanol in diesel and two-stroke engines. Further plans include development of methadology to use straight alcohol in CI and two-stroke engines.

Currently, division is in process to upgrade its Mass Emission Mesurement Facilities in order to test Bharat Stage III and IV compliant Engines and Vehicles. It is also in process to establish a Transient Test Bed Facility.

To-day, in the country, the automotive industry as well as oil industry has large in-house R&D Centres of their own. However, this division is expected to act as a think tank to come out with data and results to ensure that policy decisions at the national level are taken in a non-partisan way.