Real Emissions Test Bench: Transient emission/consumption measurement for low-emission powertrains

• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics, Technical Thermodynamics and Thermal Energy Engineering
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 463549337

The Institute of vehicle propulsion systems (LAF), led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Günthner at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, intends to equip a transient engine testbench with a fast-sampling emission and fuel consumption measurement system. In particular, this system should be capable of measuring so-called secondary exhaust emission components (which are currently not yet subject to emission regulations). The system will be used for investigating emission and fuel consumption effects of alternative fuels in transient load cycles as occurring in real driving situations at varying levels of hybridisation.The system includes measurement devices for gaseous exhaust components and particulate emissions as well as a combined fuel conditioning and measurement unit. The specifications have been chosen for the measurement to be able to resolve dynamic processes during transient engine operation when investigating relevant present and future alternative fuels. Special emphasis is on renewable fuels and measured variables which are particularly relevant in the development of special combustion systems adapted to such fuels.The exhaust gas measurement system is based on a Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), which is able to detect and quantify multiple predefined components of gas mixtures spectrally by absorption of infrared radiation. In addition, separate gas analysers to detect the total hydrocarbon (THC) and oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas as well as carbon dioxide in the inlet air (for determining the exhaust gas recirculation rate) will be used.Exhaust particulate emissions will be classified in a particle sizer, which electrically charges particles in the nm-range and measures their size and number through the electrical mobility and charge values.The measurement system is completed by a combined fuel conditioning and measurement unit. This unit conditions the fuel supplied to the test bench to predefined pressure and temperature levels and permanently monitors the mass flow of the fuel. New types of fuels like alcohols and special oxygenates require the system to be equipped with particularly resistant sealing and piping materials.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Hochdynamische Emissions- und Verbrauchsmessung für Niedrigstemissions-Antriebssysteme
• Instrumentation Group: 2860 Motoren- und Getriebeprüfstände, Verdichterprüfstände
• Applicant Institution: Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Günthner