Ricardo Spin-Off Targets Improved Efficiency for Truck Engines

Ricardo plc has spun off its CryoPower business into a new company called Dolphin N2 Ltd. to commercialize a “split cycle” engine technology that aims to improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks.

Ricardo says it will retain a minority stake in Dolphin N2, which is seeking new investors. Simon Brewster, who had headed Ricardo’s industrial and defense business, has been appointed CEO of the new company.

CryoPower promises to improve fuel efficiency as much 30% by combining aspects of a diesel engine with an Ericsson external combustion engine cycle. Ricardo has been developing the technology for the last decade in conjunction with the University of Brighton.

The integrated process uses isothermal compression—injecting a small amount of liquid nitrogen—and splits the standard four-stroke sequence into two separate cylinders. One cylinder is used for intake and compression, while another handles combustion/expansion and exhaust.

Gas is transferred from the compression cylinder to the expansion cylinder via a heat exchanger to recover otherwise wasted exhaust heat. A “recuperator” is used between the compressor and expander to improve efficiency.