Single Cylinder Research Engines (SCRE)
Our experts help clients accelerate the research and development process via our suite of engine test facilities and on-site technical support.
A versatile and cost-effective development tool
We offer a suite of single cylinder research engines (SCRE) to support advances in clean engine technologies.
The hardware is available to buy and compatible with alternative fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and bio-fuels.
In addition, customers can benefit from expert support including set up and installation, adaptation of labs, understanding safety requirements of new fuels, testing and development, and understanding data and results.
Our products
Single-cylinder and multi-cylinder engine test beds and workshops
Hydra
0.5 litre with bores from 65mm to 110mm and stroke up to 110mm for passenger cars, low-carbon vehicles, off-highway and power generation applications. Available in standard and customer designs.
Proteus 300
1–3 litre with bores from 120mm to 145mm and strokes from 130mm to 170mm for heavy-duty vehicles, off-highway and power generation applications. Available in standard and custom designs, and suitable for hydrogen
Atlas II
Bores of 150mm to 200mm and strokes of up to 280mm, 3–10 litre for marine, off-highway and power generation applications (high speed). Available in fully customisable designs,
Prometheus II
Bores of 200mm to 300mm and strokes of up to 1500mm, 10 litre+ for marine, off-highway and power generation applications (medium speed).
How we can support you
Ricardo has the know-how to engineer and procure the power unit for any size and fuel type, covering engine bores from 65mm to 300mm. We have the test facilities and our own fully designed, tested, and proven SCRE family which can be contracted to support component development, and accelerate and de-risk your development.
We offer four single-cylinder engine families – light duty, medium duty, heavy duty, and a large engine– known as Hydra, Proteus, Atlas and Prometheus II respectively. All ranges comprise standard designs as well as custom versions, designed specifically to satisfy particular requirements of individual customers.
Ricardo single cylinder engines can be used to carry out a wide range of testing, such as:
- Alternative or sustainable fuel testing
- Core combustion design testing
- Injector or other component development testing
- Lubrication evaluation testing
- Combustion modelling and simulation correlation testing
For a full list of the tests we can run, please contact our experts
In addition to the supply of standard and custom hardware, a wide range of services can be provided to assist testing operations for the single-cylinder engine including:
- Spares availability assured for past, current and future specifications
- Supply of conversion kits
- Supply of test stands and test equipment
- Full suite of training courses to support clients’ single-cylinder training needs
From understanding policy and strategy, to full life cycle analysis, design, integration, test and validation, Ricardo has expert knowledge of alternative fuels. Combined with over 100 years of SCRE expertise, we are uniquely placed to support you in converting or adapting your existing engine to be compliant with new or alternative fuel requirements.
Ricardo has a proven tool chain to turn data from single cylinder research engines into digital models, providing our clients with another option to accelerate their development at a lower cost. Ricardo offers digital twins from both single cylinder and multi-cylinder engines.
Ricardo has over 60 years of experience of in-cylinder photography in both diesel, gasoline, and alternative fuels. Various techniques have been employed in this work and considerable expertise has been developed, giving valuable insights and increased understanding of air motion, fuel spray behavior and fuel quality criteria.
To maintain our leading edge, we review and update our designs to meet customer expectations and the needs of the future. Our policy of continuous development and the monitoring of ever-changing requirements means you can be sure the right products will be available from Ricardo.
MARITIME
CHECKLIST FOR CONVERSION OF MARINE ENGINES
Our team developed a checklist to guide marine fleet owners planning conversions to propulsion systems running on a range of alternative fuels. The study looked at factors such as performance and efficiency, combustion and ignition, mechanical and thermal systems, lubrication, maintenance, safety and ventilation. Fuels in the study included methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas.
DUAL-FUEL METHANOL ENGINE RETROFIT
Our engineers were asked to develop a methanol-diesel dual-fuel combustion solution for a heavy-duty marine engine. The objective was to maximise the replacement of diesel by methanol, and gain the greenhouse gas benefit, while maintaining IMO Tier III emissions compliance. The study provided a methanol dual-fuel solution suitable for either retrofit or new productions, and provided valuable insights into the safety approaches required when using methanol fuel.
ROAD AND OFF-HIGHWAY
HYDROGEN ICE FOR MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS AND BUSES
Ricardo was approached by a UK industry consortium researching a hydrogen-fuelled design for medium-duty trucks and buses that would be based on an existing 6.7 litre diesel engine platform. Using our PROTEUS SCRE, the project's engineer teams to evaluate a variety of injector types. In spring 2025, the consortium announced its engine successfully met Euro 7 emissions standards and delivered near 100% reduction in carbon emissions.
STUDY INTO HYDROGEN ICE FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Ricardo's teams prepared and submitted a study of current and future market conditions for hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2 ICE), primarily focused on the medium-duty off-highway sector. The study assessed surrounding social and political forces driving decarbonisation in different territories and determined the optimum technology options and routes to market.
Why choose Ricardo
One-Stop-Shop
A central team that will support you throughout all aspects of the test process.
On-site facilities
A full suite of SCRE products, including on-premises test chambers that help save time and costs.
Remote access tools
Giving clients full access to test programmes without needing to be ever-present
Fully customised service
We can support the planning, procurement and engineering for a unit of any size and fuel type.
Single Cylinder Research Engines (SCRE) Resources
Ricardo delivers first virtual remote certification testing for a marine engine
Read articleEfficiency, integration, digital: engineering services streamline for success
Read articleRicardo to share insights into next-generation ultra-clean and high-efficiency engines
Read articleHeavy-duty hydrogen engines and decarbonising propulsion: Q&A with Richard Osborne
Read articleMeet the experts
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Contact us to discuss your SCRE requirements
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