Technical Paper
Development of a Photochemical Chamber System for Determining Measures of Reactivity from Exhaust of Alternative-Fuel Vehicles
1994-10-01
941906
A laboratory system has been developed to evaluate the photochemical characteristics of exhaust generated from alternative-fuel and new technology vehicles. This system is built around an 8-m3 photochemical chamber constructed of Teflon film. The chamber has been designed to be portable and allow both indoor and outdoor irradiations. The indoor irradiation system uses a combination of ultraviolet fluorescent bulbs to match, to the extent possible, solar radiation. Exhaust from the test vehicles is generated in an adjoining dynamometer facility. Exhaust can be added directly to the chamber from the dilution tunnel or collected in intermediate Teflon bags and then added to the chamber. For vehicles having relatively low emissions the second approach is required. Instrumentation associated with the chamber system includes continuous monitors for measuring NOx and ozone, hydrocarbons from both reactant and product mixtures, peroxyacyl nitrates, and carbonyl compounds.
