Emission Performance - In-Use Mobile Sources

With increasing regulation focused on reducing engine and vehicle emissions - combined with an emphasis on reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - the development of novel technologies for emission reductions and fuel economy improvement are of paramount importance. Traditionally, these technologies have been evaluated in controlled laboratory settings using simulated engine and vehicle operating cycles. However, this method of evaluation has limitations for testing certain technologies (e.g., large engines) and is also not completely representative of performance in real-world conditions.

To address these testing limitations, Southern Research has developed an innovative emissions and fuel economy evaluation capability focused primarily on the testing of technologies and transportation systems in use, in their actual, real-world applications. Specifically, our capabilities allow for the assessment of a technology's performance in the environment in which it may be applied, providing application-specific knowledge to potential users regarding the benefits and impacts of a technology. These types of evaluations can also be utilized to evaluate fleets and identify opportunities for performance improvements utilizing a variety of technologies, procedures, operational changes, and management practices.

Testing Capabilities and Equipment

Southern Research performs evaluations using a generic testing protocol and standardized suites of testing equipment as the foundation. This protocol and test equipment has been developed and utilized in several major projects and has proven to be rigorous, accurate, and also flexible enough for a variety of applications and desired levels of information. We utilize the following primary equipment for in-use technology evaluation:

• Horiba OBS-2200 Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS); compact, portable emissions test system for CO, CO₂, NOx, THC emissions measurement, including exhaust emissions flow rate, GPS, ambient conditions
• Portable Activity Monitoring System (PAMS) consisting of small data loggers and data acquisition systems with sensors and connectors available for RPM, ECM, GPS, exhaust temperature, and other parameters
• On-board fuel measurement systems utilizing coriolis meters, featuring accurate measurement of supply and return fuel flows and temperatures, for a net fuel economy improvement measurement down to ~2%
• Power output measurement for engine-generator sets or diesel electric drive trains

Southern Research utilizes this instrument suite for the evaluation of a variety of technologies and engines/vehicles:

• Large diesel engines and vehicles (e.g., coal haul trucks, off-road equipment, locomotives)
• Diesel emission control technologies, such as diesel particulate filters, SCR, diesel oxidation catalysts
• Alternative fuels and fuel additives, such as biodiesel, ethanol, synthetic diesel, and a variety of fuel additives
• New engine and vehicle designs and components