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Fuel efficiency is one of the most important parameters in advanced vehicles. Therefore, the measurement of fuel consumption in-situ and in real-time is obviously demanded in development and evaluation processes of new engines and vehicles. This paper describes a new concept for measuring fuel consumption in real-time, which utilizing raw exhaust gas flow rate and exhaust air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The AFR is defined as the mass ratio of air and fuel supplied to the engine, and the mass flow rate of exhaust gas can be regarded as the summation of the mass flow rate of air and fuel. This means the fuel consumption can be calculated from exhaust flow rate and AFR. To realize in-situ, real-time measurement, we used an ultrasonic exhaust flow meter which can measure a wide flow range accurately with no pressure loss, and a fast response zirconia sensor which can be installed onto the exhaust pipe directly without any sampling system.

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.

Most of the recent clean diesel engines are equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology in order to meet the strict criteria of NOx and particulate matter (PM) as required in the current emission regulations. More attention to strict EGR control is becoming required. Accurate and fast transient EGR ratio operation is becoming very critical in the field of the emission control. The EGR ratio is typically monitored by CO₂ trace method, in which CO₂ emitted from engine, is utilized as a tracer gas. The EGR ratio can be obtained from CO₂ concentration measured at engine intake and engine out at the same time. In this study, authors have developed a new EGR analyzer consisting of two CO₂ detectors, to achieve required performance for transient measurement, i.e., short delay time and quick response, negligible difference between two CO₂ detectors, and capability of wet measurement.

The subject of engine emissions is expected to be at the forefront of environmental regulations and consumers’ concerns for years to come. As technology develops to comply with new and different requirements in various regions of the world, understanding the fundamental principles of how engine emissions occur, and how they can be properly measured, is vitally important. Engine Emissions Measurement Handbook, developed and co-authored by HORIBA Automotive Test Systems team addresses the main aspects of this subject. Written with the technical user in mind, this title is a must-have for those involved in engine development and testing, and environmental researchers focusing on better ways to minimize emissions pollution.