Saudi Aramco Opens Michigan Fuel Research Center

Houston-based Aramco Services Co. has opened a new fuel research and development center in Novi, Mich. The company says the 50,000-sq-ft facility will focus on fuel combustion and emissions, technology integration and strategic transport studies.

The center includes 12 fuel lines, four dynamometers, a prototype engine build area, fabrication shop, vehicle integration and soak room.

Aramco says the facility can test a wide range of fuels in engines ranging from single-cylinder mills to heavy-duty 1,000-hp units and stationary engines. A new chassis dynamometer will be added next summer for evaluating engine performance over a variety of operating conditions.

Aramco is the U.S. subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Oil Co. and also operates centers in Houston and Boston. Research is coordinated with its parent’s global facilities in China, France, Korea, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco says it accounts for about 12% of the world’s oil production.