Horiba Instruments is to provide the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with emissions measurement systems, set for integration into the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) heavy-duty engine test cells, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The EPA is proposing a new regulation that would establish ultra-low NOx emissions standards, meaning that new certification test procedures for heavy-duty vehicles will be needed. The emissions measurement systems from Horiba will be used to provide support for heavy-duty engine compliance and regulatory development testing programs.
“We are honored to continue the close relationship with the EPA and provide integral solutions as new pressures on reduced greenhouse gas, ultra-low NOx and other criteria emissions are on the horizon for the heavy-duty industry,” commented Darren Andrews, executive vice president and general manager, Horiba Instruments.
“The EPA seeks to maintain a facility which is not only best-in-class in both functionality and aesthetics, but also to support future development initiatives now and well into the future. We feel privileged the EPA selected Horiba to meet those goals.”
Horiba is to provide the EPA with its latest MEXA-One emissions analysis systems, capable of measuring both diluted and un-diluted heavy-duty engine exhaust for CO, CO2 , THC, CH4 , NOx, O2 and NH3. The systems have been designed to work with currently available fuels, engines and vehicles, but also emerging technologies and engine aftertreatment systems.
The systems are capable of automating all test aspects based on proven strategies and solutions, meaning the MEXA-One and the CVS-One will continue to meet the EPA’s latest requirements due to futureproofing techniques from Horiba. With the commercial vehicle industry set to change massively in the next 10 years, Horiba has designed its current generation of systems to enable flexible adaptation during testing scenarios.
The futureproofing for advanced powertrain technology, which includes the option to change or add analyzers to an integrated bench system, improves accuracy and noise performance for ultra-low measurement, and enables expanded dynamic range necessary for diversity of cold and hot duty cycles.
An advanced software also allows for synergy with battery emulating equipment and road-to-rig testing practices. The software from Horiba provides multiple functions to increase the operational efficiency of 1,065 automated checks and tests and service troubleshooting, as well as improving the quality of data through health monitoring and reporting.