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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.

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.