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The authors present a portable NH3 and N2O analyzer utilizing mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy for on-board emission measurements. The developed analyzer employs a newly developed absorption spectroscopy named “infrared laser absorption modulation”, hereinafter referred to as IRLAM, for the signal acquisition and concentration determination. Because of IRLAM’s simple and robust signal processing scheme, a highly sensitive, selective and robust measurement system can be realized within a compact size. The following performance metrics of the new analyzer are presented: linearity, detection limit, response time and zero/span drift. Notably, the detection limit (defined as 2σ of the zero signal) of ≤ 0.1 ppm is achieved in both NH3 and N2O measurements. The influence of vibration, and changes in environment conditions such as ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, are also tested.

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.

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.