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Direct measurement of dilution air volume in a Constant Volume emission sampling system may be used to calculate tailpipe exhaust volume, and the total dilution ratio in the CVS. A Remote Mixing Tee (RMT) often includes a subsonic venturi (SSV) flowmeter in series with the dilution air duct. The venturi meter results in a flow restriction and significant pressure drop in the dilution air pipe. An ultrasonic flow meter for a similar dilution air volume offers little flow restriction and negligible pressure drop in the air duct. In this investigation, an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) replaces the subsonic venturi in a Remote Mixing Tee. The measurement uncertainty and accuracy of the UFM is determined by comparing the real time flow rates and integrated total dilution air volume from the UFM and the dilution air SSV in the RMT. Vehicle tests include FTP and NEDC test cycles with a 3.8L V6 reference vehicle.

Light-duty vehicle emission measurement test protocols defined in the Code of Federal Regulation (40 CFR Part 1066) allow sampling particulate matter (PM) of all phases of Federal Test Procedure (FTP-75) on a single PM sampling filter by means of flow-weighted sampling in order to increase PM mass loaded on the filter. A technical challenge is imposed especially for partial flow dilution systems (PFDS) to maintain a precise dilution ratio (DR) over such a wide sample flow range due to the subtraction flow determination method of dilution air and diluted exhaust flows, because the flow difference is critical at high DR conditions. In this study, an improved flow weighting concept is applied to a PFDS by installing a bypass line with a flow controller in parallel with the PM sampling filter in order to improve DR accuracy during flow-weighted sampling.

Recently, it was reported that the atmospheric pollution levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) are not decreasing despite the introduction of stricter vehicle emission regulations. The difference between conditions of the test cycles defined by the vehicle emission regulations and the real driving can contribute to the differences between expected and actual pollution levels. This has led to the introduction of in-use vehicle emission monitoring and regulations by means of a portable emission measurement system (PEMS). An optimized on-board PM analyzer was developed in this study. The on-board PM analyzer is a combination of a partial flow dilution system (PFDS) particulate sampler and a diffusion charger sensor (DCS) for real-time PM signals. The measuring technology and basic performance of the analyzer will be explained. Acceleration of the vehicle can cause uncertainty of flow measurement in the PM sampler.

Fine particle emissions from engine exhaust have attracted attention because of concern of their higher deposition fraction in alveoli. Since it was observed that sizes of solid particles in exhaust of conventional internal combustion engine technologies are mainly distributed above 30 nm and the mainly irreproducible sensitivity to volatile particles can be reduced, the current solid particle number (PN) measurement methodology was targeted to PN emissions particles larger than 23 nm. The necessity of the measurement of particles smaller than 23 nm is now under discussion. It is also surmised that there is difference between emissions under regulatory defined test cycles and real driving conditions. Currently, implementation of further real driving emission regulations utilizing portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) is in place for the EU and being actively discussed in other regions.

An on-board solid particle number (PN) analyzer (OBS-ONE-PN) has been developed to measure PN concentrations in engine exhaust under real-driving conditions. Specification of OBS-ONE-PN is based on the recommendation in PEMS-PN draft. OBS-ONE-PN consists of primary diluter, heated transfer tube, heated catalytic stripper (CS), secondary dilutor and particle detector. Volatile fractions which is emitted from the automobile engine are removed by CS, and then only solid particles are counted by a condensation particle counter (CPC). Finally, the system provides results in number concentration. The detailed specifications relating to the OBS-ONE-PN performance such as dilution factor accuracy, volatile particle removal efficiency, overall detection efficiency and durability test results are described in this paper The OBS-ONE-PN is used to characterize PN emission from a gasoline vehicle.

Automobile Particulate Matter (PM) Emission regulation requires gravimetric determination of PM collected on filter media under simulated driving conditions in the laboratory traditionally in a full flow Constant Volume Sampling (CVS) dilution tunnel. There have been discussions about whether current sampling and measurement practices are sufficiently accurate in quantifying PM at the upcoming 1mg/mi PM emissions standards of CARB LEV III. Sampling technique alternative to a CVS such as a Partial Flow Dilution (PFD) system has already been developed and is acceptable for certification testing. Lower dilution ratios and higher filter face velocity (FFV) are options to load traceable amount of PM on filter in case of light duty vehicle (LDV) testing. On the other hand higher dilution ratios and lower FFV are required for heavy duty engine (HDE) testing to keep the PM loaded on filter <400μg.

The Particle Measurement Programme (PMP) established under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has developed the solid particle number (PN) measurement methodology, which has relatively higher sensitivity than the particulate matter measurement protocol. The first PN emission regulation was introduced in 2011. The stationary PN measurement system (PMP system) has been applied in the chassis and the engine test cells. In recent years, real driving emissions (RDE) measurement is attracting attention. Portable emissions measurement systems for PN measurement (PN-PEMS) which can be installed on vehicles during RDE testing are available now. The European RDE regulation requires validation of PN-PEMS by comparing emission measurement results with a stationary PMP system on a chassis dynamometer prior to the on-road emissions testing. Measurement differences between the PN-PEMS and the PMP system has to be within the tolerance defined by the regulation.

The particle number (PN) emission regulation has been implemented since 2011 in Europe. PN measurement procedure defined in ECE regulation No. 83 requires detecting only solid particles by eliminating volatile particles, the concentrations of which are highly influenced by dilution conditions, using a volatile particle remover (VPR). To measure PN concentration after the VPR, a particle number counter (PNC) which has detection threshold at a particle size of 23 nm is used, because most solid particles generated by automotive engines are considered to be larger than 23 nm. On the other hand, several studies have reported the existence of solid and volatile particles smaller than 23 nm in engine exhaust. This paper describes investigation into a measurement method for ultrafine PNCs with thresholds of below 23 nm and evaluation of the VPR performance for the particles in this size range. The detection efficiency of an ultrafine PNC was verified by following the ECE regulation procedure.