Automotive

The Automotive Engineering theme focuses on:

  • internal combustion engines
  • vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics
  • support to the University of Malta Formula SAE (Formula Student) team, UoM Racing.

Modern aspects of internal combustion engines are researched through: 

  • experimental campaigns that make use of LabView to monitor and control engines mounted with a number of engine dynamometers ranging from a few horsepower to 800 horsepower
  • simulation using the Ricardo Wave software.

Expertise in electronic engine controls have been developed throughout the years. The latest research achievement has been the development of a common rail diesel engine control strategy based on simple speed-density.

Past projects include:

  • Spark ignition fuel injection
  • Turbocharging
  • Camshaft design and manufacture
  • Free piston engine and opposed piston engine
  • Multi fuel Hydrogen enhanced combustion and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
  • Pressurised Motoring Setup including Argon as working gas

Furthermore, a hot gas test stand for turbochargers is being developed.   
     
Support to the University of Malta Formula SAE (Formula Student) has seen the university build and participate with four vehicles in a competition in Italy.  The first car was built in 2007 and it successfully competed in the Italian competition in Fiorano 21-23 September 2017. Later vehicles were built for the 2014, 2015 and 2017 competitions. The 2017 vehicle also competed in the 2018 Silverstone Formula Student event. Vehicle dynamics and vehicle aerodynamics are relatively new research areas. Vehicle dynamics was analysed experimentally on both FSAE and a GT86 production car, while vehicle aerodynamics was analysed using CFD on both FSAE vehicles and the GT86 production car.

Funded projects

Motored Engine Friction and Heat Transfer
Funded by: Endeavour Scholarships and Univ of Malta
Date: Oct 2017 to date
Principal Investigators at UM: Mario Farrugia, Carl Caruana
Co-investigators: Gilbert Sammut  

Diesel Particulate Filter study
Supported by: Transport Malta 
Date: Oct 2015 to July 2017
Principal Investigator: Prof. Mario Farrugia 

Formula SAE Malta
Funded by: University of Malta, Vodafone, MCST, Meli Group and many more  
Date: Jan 2006 - Oct 2008
Principal Investigator at UM: Mario Farrugia
Co-investigators: Robert Ghirlando
 

Selected publications

  • Caruana, Carl; Farrugia, Mario; Sammut, Gilbert; Pipitone, Emiliano; "Further Experimental Investigation of Motored Engine Friction Using Shunt Pipe Method", SAE technical Paper 2019-01-0930, WCX SAE World Congress Experience April 9-11 2019, Detroit, Michigan, USA, ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-01-0930. Also in SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility-V128-99EJ
  • Xuereb, Emilio; Farrugia, Mario; 'Review and Validation of Models of Pressure Drop Across Diesel Particulate Filter and Particulate Loading Quantity', SAE International Powertrain Fuels and Lubricants Conference, Baltimore MA USA, 24-26 October 2016. SAE Paper 2016-01-2280, DOI: 10.4271/2016-01-2280.
  • Busuttil, Daniel; Farrugia, Mario; 'Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Injecting Water to the Air to Fuel Mixture in a Spark Ignition Engine', MM (Modern Machinery) Science Journal, March 2015, p585-590. ISSN 1805-0476 (On-line, open access)
  • Farrugia, Mario; Briffa, Andrew; Farrugia, Michael; 'Liquid State LPG Conversion of an Older Vehicle', SAE International Powertrain Fuels and Lubricants Conference, 20-23 October Birmingham UK, SAE Paper 2014-01-2613, DOI 10.4271/2014-01-2613.
  • Zammit, Glenn; Farrugia, Mario; Ghirlando, Robert; 'Experimental investigation of the effects of hydrogen enhanced combustion in SI and CI engines on performance and emissions', HEFAT 2012, 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July 2012.
  • Camilleri, William; Farrugia, Mario; 'HCCI simulation of a Non Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine', IMechE conference on Internal Combustion Engines Performance, Fuel Economy and Emissions - C684, 8-9 Dec 2009.
  • Farrugia, Mario; Alkidas, A.C.; Sangeorzan,Brian; 'Cycle-Averaged Heat Flux Measurements in a Straight-Pipe Extension of the Exhaust Port of an SI Engine', SAE Paper No. 2006-01-1033, SAE 2006 Transactions - J. Engines, V115-3, pp. 565-575, 2006.
  • Farrugia, Mario; Farrugia, Michael; Sangeorzan, Brian; 'ECU Development for a Formula SAE Engine', SAE Paper 2005-01-0027. SAE World Congress April 11-14, 2005.  DOI 10.4271/2005-01-0027
  • Farrugia, Mario; Rossey, Mike; Sangeorzan, Brian;, 'On the use of a Honda 600cc 4-Cylinder Engine for Formula SAE Competition', SAE Paper 2005-01-0025, SAE World Congress April 11-14, 2005, DOI 10.4271/2005-01-0025.
  • Farrugia M., Report for Ricardo: Engine simulation for Formula SAE report written in 2004 and made available by Ricardo to students online

Theme members

Prof. Mario Farrugia
Prof. Robert Ghirlando
Dr Zdenka Sant


Study with us

https://www.um.edu.mt/eng/mec/ourresearch/automotive/