Heavy-duty testing

Targeting off-highway and commercial vehicle engine makers, Ricardo has expanded its Chicago Technical Center to help them comply with upcoming emissions regulations.

In October of last year, independent engineering technology firm Ricardo announced a test cell expansion project at its 21,500-ft² (2000-m²) Chicago Technical Center (CTC), located in Burr Ridge, IL. Scheduled for completion this month, the $4.8 million project adds two new heavy-duty emissions test cells designed for developing engines to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2007 emissions requirements.

The first phase of the project was completed in September 2001 and added heavy-duty engine transient testing to the company's existing CTC Test Cell 2. This phase included a new full dilution constant volume sampling (CVS) tunnel, dilute exhaust analytical instrumentation, and upgraded engine and dynamometer control software meeting the requirements of the U.S. On-highway Federal Test Procedure and other transient emissions cycles.