Search Results

The EU Commission has decided to establish a regulatory type test approval method for the guarantee of initial leak tightness of R-134a MAC systems in Europe. This method of test will be applicable as of July 2007. In order to establish the method of test the European Association of Car Manufacturers (ACEA) has launched a study for the development of a technically-sound method. The Center for Energy and Processes has carried out the study at three levels: a fleet tests of 40 vehicles, laboratory tests on 40 MAC systems identical to the ones installed on the fleet cars, and tests of 160 components. The paper describes the charge and recovery method in order to guarantee a precision of recovery of 0/-1 g for the fleet of vehicles. Results of the fleet tests show that the average emission level is of 10 g/yr. The paper describes also the laboratory method of test based on the measurement of the R-134a concentration inside mini-sheds using infrared techniques.

The B-COOL project, funded by the European Union, is devoted to the development of low cost and efficient R-744 system for small cars. In the framework of this initiative a Fiat Panda and a Ford Ka prototype have been realized adopting two different R-744 systems and a testing procedure has been identified and adopted to qualify the vehicles in terms of fuel consumption and thermal comfort performance. The Project started in March 2005 and ended in November 2008, this paper presents the major project outcomes on R-744 mobile air conditioning systems (efficiency and related fuel consumption and LCCP, costs, architecture) synthesizing the remaining technology open issues

Due to the global warming effect of R-134a emissions, regulations will be issued to lower the current emission level of Mobil Air Conditioning (MAC) systems. In order to develop very low emission components, it is necessary to have accurate measurement apparatus both for components and for the complete AC system. The paper presents the method of test, the testing equipment, and the test results of several AC systems installed in a “mini-shed”, which is at atmospheric pressure, completely tight and where the raise of concentration of R-134a is measured by infra red spectrophotometry. The tests are performed in standstill mode for different temperatures. The results are the emissions as a function of the saturating R-134a pressure for different temperatures. A new evolution of the test bench is being prepared in order to measure emissions when the MAC system is running along different driving and temperature conditions.

The new Prius hybrid vehicle uses an electrical scroll compressor which speed is controlled by an inverter. The control is integrated in the vehicle global control system. The paper presents the way to take into account the state of charge (SOC) of the batteries to run reproducible tests and in order that the battery charge is identical both at the end and at the beginning of the test. The vehicle fuel consumption has been analyzed with and without the air conditioning (AC) system running and for two different climatic conditions. Moreover tests have been carried out for the measurement of the electrical consumption of the AC system. Conclusions are drawn on the interest of electrical AC system compared to mechanical AC system for hybrid vehicles. The impact of the control system is also analysed and presented.