December 23, 2010 - New Year's promise - by Juho

Year 2010 will soon be over and it's time to summarize what has been going on in the automotive sector. I have been travelling extensively mainly in Europe visiting various exhibitions and OEMs, consentrating on heavy-duty off-highway vehicles and discussing day-to-day matters and how the market sees the future development. Besides continuous need of higher fuel efficiency, increased life-span and user-friendliness, emission regulations are the hot spot at the moment. EPA Tier 4 Interim/EU Stage 3B low-emissions regulations begin to take effect in North America and the European Union in January 2011. These regulations require major reductions of particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). As we know, there are different techniques to achieve new values. Diesel particle filter system (DPF) can be used to reduce  the amount of PM. The NOx value can be reduced by internal engine measures, such as with the aid of cooled exhaust gas feedback (EGR). One way to decrease the amount of noxious NOx emissions is to use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).

Engine manufacturer's have selected diverse product strategies to tackle the matter, as there are pros and cons in each and every solution - as always with new technological approaches. SCR technology used typically with DPF provides a bit better fuel efficiency than EGR -based solution and less component stress due to increase of heat load towards engine cooling system is lower in comparison to EGR system. In addition, the consumption of Adblue is reasonably low: from 3-7 % that of diesel fuel depending on engine generation (the stricter the low-emission standards, the higher the amount consumed). From my experience I think that the SCR system is a good solution especially for On-Highway sector, but Off-Highway sector favours the use of EGR system. First of all, the distribution network for AdBlue is easy to arrange for On-Highway vehicles, but construction and mining sites are typically far away from the urban area. The second argument which favours EGR is the sensitivity of AdBlue to extreme temperatures - both hot and cold conditions. AdBlue, consisting mainly of demineralized water, freezes if temperature falls below -11 C. Naturally, there is a heating system for the tanks and lines, but it starts operating after the startup of the vehicle. Considering hot conditions,  the urea content of AdBlue can decrease if stored at temperatures in excess of 30°C, which means lower efficiency considering the reduction of NOx emissions. Further arguments favouring the use of EGR over SCR system especially in Off-highway markets are the simplicity of EGR over SCR and lower price of the EGR equipped engines. Some professionals are even speculating will there be any real fuel efficiency advantage at all, since AdBlue amount consumed is typically very close to the amount of fuel saved by an SCR system, meaning little or no nent reduction in overall fuel cost. Naturally, the price relationship is varying hand-in-hand with the price of AdBlue and diesel fuel.

Anyway, EPA Tier 4 final/EU Stage 4 will most likely demand integrating all current low-emission approaches: EGR, SCR and DPF, which in the end will lead to increased engine cooling demand.

Year 2011, we at CuproBraze Alliance want to continue to express that  what ever the increased heat load will be, even up to 30%, will not be a problem for CuproBraze heat exchangers´ durability and thermal transfer rate. There is no need to increase the size of the cooling system when the same result can be achieved by changing base material to CuproBraze copper and brass. Our new years promise is to continue to serve our market according to Customers' wishes.

On behalf of CuproBraze Alliance, Seasons Greetings and Prosperous New Year 2011!

October 8, 2010 - 3 E's described Innotrans 2010 - Energy efficiency, Ecology and Economy - by Juho

Europe’s transportation system is facing a challenging situation according to estimates, freight will grow by 50 % and passenger transport by 35 % by 2020. This together with the fact of on-going global megatrend of urbanization, people move from country side to cities, means lots of challenges and possibilities for the whole transportation industry. Traffic problems are growing in line with the economic expansion and demographic evolution. Besides this, transport generates almost one third of all CO2 emissions. This was the big picture for this year´s most important railway exhibition Innotrans 2010, held in the city of Berlin. Exhibition gathered international group of visitors and professionals from the railway industry, and presented advanced solutions for vehicles, infrastructure, components and systems.
During the exhibition we learned, that the railroad sector has certainly it’s position as environmentally friendly and efficient means of transporation. Because we are used to travel by full-electric and hybrid trains, energy efficiency perspective is easy to understand. But for me it was a surprise, that when we compare land efficiency of urban area between passenger car, bus, tram and finally metro we get the following figures: number of people crossing a 3 to 5 metre-wide space in an hour in an urban environment for car is 2,000, for bus 9,000, for tram 22,000 and for metro 50,000.
CuproBraze Alliance did certainly the right decision when deciding to focus on railway sector during year 2010. During the fair there was lot of interest in CuproBraze technology, both in OE and refurbishment side. Life-cycle thinking in terms of durability, maintainability, repairability and recyclability supports the selection of CuproBraze heat exchangers for re-powering projects for diesel engines as well as for new projects of hybrid locomotives and full-electric locomotives. And even more, year 2012 will entail major changes to engine and aftertreatment technology. The reason is European Comission´s Non-Road Mobile Machinery Directive (NRMM) and it’s Stage 3B, launched just 3 years after the previous step 3A. While using technologies to reduce harmful CO2, NOx and PM emissions of new engines, the heat-load to engine cooling system increases dramatically. Up to +30 % additions have been witnessed. This calls for CuproBraze –technology.

Heartfelt thanks to all colleagues and visitors I had a pleasure to communicate with during these four days in Berlin!

Juho Partanen, Markku Ainali and Andrzej Bielewicz ready to meet visitors at the new booth

Juho introducing new CuproBraze Oil Cooler to a visitor

CuproBraze Oil Cooler and CAC were inspected by a great number of visitors

September 19, 2010 - Innotrans and other coming events - by Markku

CuproBraze Alliance will have a new exhibition booth at Innotrans in Berlin in the coming week. The booth will be manned by member companies like Seco/Warwick, Finnradiator,
Umicore BrazeTec and Luvata. A good opportunity to drop by and discuss CuproBraze!
The booth number is 202 and it is located in Hall 20. See links to to Innotrans and
CuproBraze products on the main page.

Later in the Autumn Alliance will attend MTZ in Mannheim. The Members Meeting next
year will be hosted by Finnradiator in Suolahti, Finland.

Find more information under Resources/Upcoming events.

June 21, 2010 - Business delegation to Zagreb - by Juho

I had a great pleasure to participate fact finding tour to Zagreb on June 14 to 17 as a member of Foreign Trade Committee of Central Finland Chamber of Commerce. The beautiful city of Zagreb, situated in Northern part of Croatia, is a lively capital with 800 000 inhabitants. The economical potential of Croatia among many other countries of the Western Balkan region has been under the shadow of Yugoslav’s wars. NATO membership and European Union integration process keep the local politicians busy. This was learned while visiting institutions such as International Chamber of Commerce, Embassy of Finland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Croatia. Effects of global economic crisis did not spare Croatia either. Year 2009 GDP was 45.38 Billion € with negative annual growth rate of -5.8 % and the estimated rate for year 2010 is 0.5 %. Furthermore, industrial production decreased by -9.3 %. Luckily Croatia is highly dependant on tourism which decreased only a little.

Automotive sector component production and the privatization of shipyards give potential for CuproBraze producers. Quoting Mr. Hubert Hödl, Vice President Marketing & Business Development of Magna International Inc., “We expect a recovery in our industry. Inside the 300 km circle around Zagreb there will be a production of one million cars per year until 2012. Besides this, Croatian based company DOG-ING has designed a three-seated electric car, ecologically acceptable vehicle to be used for city driving. The warranty period for the car, excluding a lead or lithium-iron-phosphate battery, is 5 years and the car will cost around 10,000 €. Following two hours of charging, the car will have 250 km driving distance.

Currently Croatia is the 2nd most developed country after Slovenia in the Western Balkan region. The core message by the politicians and representatives of the private sector during the visit was that, Croatia is searching foreign co-operation, especially in the form of Greenfield investments. As Croatia has excellent geostrategic location, well developed infrastructure and competitive productivity versus gross wage–ratio I have positive expectations that Croatia will establish its position as 28th EU member country either year 2012 or 13. In the future, Croatia will work for International companies as a spring board for market of 27 million people. Besides this, in case of EU membership there will be available massive amounts of structured cohesion funds for infrastructure, energy and environmental sectors.

Members of Ministry of Foreign Affair
and Europe and Integration of Croatia
with Mr. Juha Ottman, Ambassador of Finland

Scenery over the city of Zagreb

Tour to Puntijar's wineyard in Zagreb

May 24, 2010 - New Chairman - by Markku

CuproBraze Alliance had Board Meeting last Thursday May 20 over telephone. Nigel Cotton was elected a new Chairman of the Board for one year ahead. I was elected to continue as Managing Director. Pekka Halmet was elected the leader of the Marketing Team. The Marketing Team already has started working with a new brochure and presentation. The goal is to have them available at Innotrans 2010 in September.

April 15, 2010 - New Board - by Markku

Yesterday CuproBraze Alliance had Members Meeting in Finspong, Sweden, with 6 of 8 members represented. There are two changes to the Board: Finnradiator is now represented by Mr. Pekka Halmet, Chairman of the Board of Finnradiator, Umicore BrazeTec is represented by Dr. Hartmut Schmoor, Business Manager. I would like to welcome both "on board" and thank the resigned member Mr. Tero Kangas and resigned Chairman Mr. Karl Görtz, on their valuable contribution to the operation. An updated list of all Board members is shown on Contacts page. In the near future the new Board will have an organizing meeting and elect a new Chairman.

April 11, 2010 - Annual decision time - by Markku

Following up Juho's blog from last month, the Spring is finally coming, not only to Spain, but even to the Nordic countries, after the unexceptionally cold winter. A lot of snow means the risk of flooding in the Spring.

The coming week is important for Alliance, as we will have Board Meeting, annual Members Meeting and Open House at Brazing Centre. All these events take place in Sweden, mostly in the city of Finspong. Almost all member companies will attend. The change in CuproBraze marketing policy to focus on heavy duty applications has started to give results and we will continue with finetuning of the policy. More information will follow after the meetings.

At the same time we have Poland and our Polish-American member Seco/Warwick in our thoughts, after the catastrophic flight accident, where a lot of Polish state leaders lost their lives.

March 13, 2010 - Is the answer blowing in the wind? - by Juho

Last week I had an opportunity to visit Spain. I spent my winter holidays in the area of Costa del Sol, visiting Malaga, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Even though the weather wasn’t as sunny as usual, I enjoyed my holiday. I managed to clear my mind completely of all the things related to work... Well, almost completely.

We flew over Central Europe to Spain. From the plane I saw long, impressive lines of wind turbines rising from the landscape. Rotating blades got my mind rotating around the possible applications for CuproBraze technology in the wind power industry, especially in offshore turbines.

As the turbines and wind power plants are getting bigger, it is often easier to find suitable locations offshore. But in addition to advantages, marine conditions set many technical challenges. At the sea the moisture, salinity and temperature alterations make the corrosion one of the major concerns. Now You probably can guess why I came to think about CuproBraze?

Accelerated corrosion tests (SWAAT, REP, salt spray, marine atmosphere) have shown that CuproBraze radiators are highly resistant to corrosion in marine atmospheric conditions. Moreover, when the corrosion eventually is formed, it is even and predictable so it doesn’t cause any nasty surprises. Naturally, the resistance can be even further reinforced by proper coating. These facts suggest that CuproBraze technology could play an important role in developing the corrosion prevention of wind turbine cooling systems, based either on air or water circulation.

The development of turbine technology is crucial as we are hoping to increase the share of wind energy production. When you combine fatiguing conditions, difficult access and high maintenance costs of offshore wind power plants, the case is clear: all the components must be highly reliable in order to keep the energy production efficient and economically sound.

February 1, 2010 - New year, new events - by Juho

At first, I would like to wish Happy New Year to all the readers also on my behalf. Year 2010 will be full of interesting events for CuproBraze Alliance. One of the biggest is Bauma 2010 – 29th international trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment. It will take place in Munich, on 19 to 25 April 2010.

Bauma 2010 is world's largest trade fair for the construction machinery sector. Despite the lurking recession, the event is expected to be huge. In 2007 it gathered over 500,000 visitors and 3,000 exhibitors around the world, so it's a "definite must" for the companies of this trade. Also I will attend in Bauma 2010, as a representative of CuproBraze Alliance and Finnradiator, together with Mr Daniel Schnee, Applications Manager of Umicore BrazeTec.

Bauma 2010 offers great scene to introduce the advantages of CuproBraze technology in thermal management systems. Along with tightening emission standards, such as Tier and Euro, the requirements for thermal management products are increasing. To comply with the new emission standards, average inlet temperatures of charge-air-coolers could reach 246 °C. A CuproBraze heat exchanger can operate at 290 °C without any problems such as creep and fatigue affecting performance or causing failure. It is CTO's, Designer's and Purchasing manager's duty to consider replacing the solution consisting of aluminium charge-air-cooler and stainless steel pre-cooler with one CuproBraze charge-air-cooler, when aiming for high return of investments from material and energy efficiency.

If You wish to discuss this or other advantages of CuproBraze technology during the fair, please, contact me at: juho.partanen (a) finnradiator.com See You in Munich!

PS. There will be interesting technical article on CuproBraze technology in Industrial Technology International, Bauma review.

January 28, 2010 - Good start for the year! - by Markku

A new year with new opportunities has started. We who live in the Nordic countries have experienced a real winter after so many years. We had a white Christmas and the snow is still on the ground and we got a lot more yesterday. Nice to have snow in the otherwise dark period of the year. As regards CuproBraze, Alliance and the member companies have received many enquiries and messages from people interested in the technology. That is encouraging when the economy is still down. We will do our best to support all viable projects by information and expertise. Alliance will have some interesting events this year. Keep on track on the "Upcoming Events" page on this web site. I wish all of you a good start for the year!

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