Improved exhaust monitoring
Challenge
Since their introduction, the Euro regulations have significantly reduced exhaust pollution by progressively decreasing the permitted emissions. As a consequence, the low levels of particulate permitted by the next iteration of Euro regulations, Euro 6c, due to be implemented in September 2017, are now beyond the sensitivity of currently-used technology.
The Euro 6 standard and its predecessor Euro 5 introduced a particle number limit in addition to the particle mass-based limits. The UNECE Particle Measurement Programme, an intergovernmental research programme set up to develop improved measurement procedures to support Europe’s emission standards, has identified condensation particle counters as the best technology for this purpose.
However, previously, the only way manufacturers and accredited testing laboratories could validate the performance of these instruments was through inter-laboratory comparison exercises. A traceability chain is required to link the measurements made by test laboratories directly to the SI units, enabling the production of robust, comparable emissions measurements which meet the stringent requirements of Euro 6c.
Solution
EMRP project Emerging requirements for measuring pollutants from automotive exhaust emissions has helped to establish this traceability chain through contribution to a new ISO standard (ISO 27891:2015) and the development of a new facility for calibrating condensation particle counters, that enables emissions testing laboratories to make particle number measurements directly traceable to the SI for the first time. This improved accuracy will ensure instruments are available that can detect the low levels of particulate permitted by the upcoming Euro 6c standard and support consistent emissions testing across Europe.
New particle number concentration calibration facilities at METAS were used to supply traceability for a comparative study conducted by the Swiss Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. This study tested new diesel, petrol and natural gas vehicle engine types using UNECE defined test procedures and demonstrated their compliance with the Euro 6 particle number limit.
Impact
TSI, a leading manufacturer of condensation particle counters, was one of the first beneficiaries of a new calibration facility to support the implementation of the ISO standard. After calibration at NPL, TSI’s internal reference instrument can now be used in conjunction with the ISO standard to provide traceability for TSI’s commerciallyavailable condensation particle counters, which are used by engine manufacturer and emissions testing laboratories.
This will link the measurements made by engine manufacturers and testing laboratories to the SI, ensuring robust, comparable measurements of exhaust emissions to meet the forthcoming Euro 6c standard. By supporting the implementation of a key piece of the EU’s air quality policy framework, this is an important step towards realising Europe’s goal of improving health and environmental quality through cleaner air.
- Category
- EMRP,
- Environment,