Grantee Research Project Results
2016 Progress Report: Diesel Emissions Test Stand to Improve Selective Catalytic Reduction
EPA Grant Number: SU835980Title: Diesel Emissions Test Stand to Improve Selective Catalytic Reduction
Investigators: Compere, Marc
Current Investigators: Compere, Marc , Noto, Joseph , Prine, Jonathan , Tellez, Daniel , Carrasquillo, Arnaldo
Institution: Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2017 (Extended to August 31, 2018)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2015 through August 31,2016
Project Amount: $74,984
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2015) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Awards , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality
Objective:
This EPA P3 Phase II research is to pursue advanced control system development for high performance, real-time Diesel emission controls for light duty vehicles. In particular, we will focus on Diesel emissions for hybrid vehicles. The Diesel emission test stand developed in the P3 phase I effort will be used to collect experimental data to create numerical models that match the input-output relationships between upstream NOx, downstream NOx, temperature, and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injection rate. Mathematical models will be validated and serve as a basis for advanced SCR observer and controller development.
Progress Summary:
The Phase II Year 1 outputs and outcomes are enumerated below:
1. Established the Embry-Riddle Diesel emission test laboratory. An outdoor metal shed was purchased and installed on Embry-Riddle property adjacent to the Mechanical Engineering Department’s Clean Energy Systems laboratory. All expenses were either approved by the EPA Project Officer or paid by the University. Diesel emissions experimentation can now be performed in a safe, controlled, outdoor environment with internet access, camera-based visual supervision, TESTING_ON alert lights, a high power fan to evacuate emission fumes to the outdoors, and an E-stop switch. Tests are performed from Test Manager control stations inside an air-conditioned control station inside the Clean Energy Systems Laboratory.
2. All sensors and actuators on the Diesel emission test stand and electric load bank were made functional and tested. This includes upstream (engine-out) and downstream (tailpipe) NOx sensors, an exhaust temperature sensor, an SCR injector, pump, and 3 heaters, and the variable electric load bank. Each sensor and actuator required a custom digital (CANbus) or analog interface. High amperage (70A) power electronics were developed to actuate the 12V automotive injector and pump.
3. An embedded, distributed, real-time control system was developed with sensors, actuators, and Test Manager functions to perform Diesel NOx reduction experiments. The Test Manager and remote camera monitoring allowed test operators to start, stop, and log experimental data from the air-conditioned control stations while the emissions equipment performed nearby in the outdoor, controlled, safe emissions test lab.
4. Two (2) Enerac M-700 portable emissions analyzers were purchased to measure the following gas species at engine-out (upstream) and tailpipe (downstream) locations:
a. NO – Nitrogen monoxide
b. NO2 – Nitrogen dioxide
c. Total NOx – NO + NO2, total oxides of Nitrogen (a regulated emission)
d. HC – CxHy hydrocarbons, unburned fuel
e. CO – carbon monoxide
f. CO2 – Carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas emission)
g. O2 – exhaust Oxygen content
h. SOx (Oxides of Sulfur in upstream exhaust stream)
i. NH3 (excess tailpipe Ammonia from SCR over-injection or catalyst saturation)
j. Exhaust gas flow rate via Pitot-tube velocity measurement
k. Exhaust gas temperature (probe-tip temperature)
5. The Enerac M700 emissions analyzers were selected because they measure NO and NO2 species separately, provide velocity and temperature measurement, and have a serial output functionality for automated, computerized sensing.
6. The Enerac M700 emissions analyzers were also selected because they are battery powered, portable, and ruggedized suitably for in-vehicle emissions measurement if the need ever arises. Their use on the stationary Diesel emissions test stand is the initial plan but migration to on-board, real-world emissions measurement is a project goal.
7. Diesel NOx emissions reduction experiments were performed and data was collected and presented at the EPA P3’s National Sustainable Design Exposition.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 4 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Diesel emissions measurement, NOx Reduction, Selective Catalytic ReductionRelevant Websites:
The Clean Energy Systems laboratory at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Diesel Emissions Test Stand to Improve Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.