Dynamic Testing of Light Duty Diesel Engine: Characterization of Combustion Parameters Evolution

A methodological analysis of combustion parameters and pollutant emissions measuring procedures during transient operation of a D.I. T.C. light duty diesel engine was performed. Combustion process was characterized by ignition delay time, combustion pressure peak value and heat release law measurements during the transient ECE 15 schedule on a dynamic test bed with electronic simulation of inertia. The particulate emission was measured every 0.05 s by an I.R. optical method. In addition some correlations, based on pressure cycle and injection law evolution, were implemented in order to calculate instantaneous fuel delivery and transient NOx emission.

Some activities were carried out in order to asses the limits of engine configurations ranking performed with steady state measurements of performances and emissions. Strong differences were detected between carbon emission during transient operations and the value obtained by interpolation from a steady state map. Viceversa steady state estimation of hydrocarbons emission on transient schedule fits very well the real transient behaviour. Finally the engine ranking procedure based on measurements in a properly defined steady state point was analyzed and results compared with those obtained running the engine on a transient schedule.