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The object of this study is to investigate an on-board diagnostic method to detect the deterioration of a three-way catalyst (TWC) under actual vehicle operating conditions, including the acceleration state. The signal data of two oxygen sensors were processed by the fast Fourier transformation (FFT) method. As a result, we found that the power spectrum of the signal waves can be the index of catalyst deterioration degree. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the difference between the power spectrum of the upstream oxygen sensor signal and one of the downstream oxygen sensor signal named ΔPower is effective index for detection of deteriorated catalyst under acceleration conditions.

The effects of engine and after-treatment control conditions on emissions fluctuation were evaluated and the technical idea for improving the repeatability in tailpipe emission measurement from DISI vehicles was provided. To improve measurement repeatability, low emissions analyzers with dilution air refining system were employed for this research. In addition, a new device that enabled monitoring of signals from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) was developed. A novel approach using these devices was applied to DISI gasoline engine vehicles equipped with de-NOx catalyst to clarify emission characteristics in the Japanese 10.15 test cycle emission tests. Through the tests, it is found that NOx emissions most correlated with the temperature at the de-NOx catalyst. CO and HC reaching the de-NOx catalyst played an important role in the temperature increase of de-NOx catalyst by exothermic reactions.