A Novel System for the Detection and Analysis of Vehicles Exhaust Pollution

1. A Novel System for the Detection and Analysis of Vehicles Exhaust Pollution L. Eduardo Córdova-López RF and Microwave Group GERI Liverpool John Moores University

2. Introduction • In UK 70% car increase (1982 – 2003) • From 15.5 to 26.2 Million • More Cars = More Pollution • What is in exhaust fumes? • 100’s of differently structured hydrocarbons • They burn in different ways and at different rates

3. Euro Standards • To preserve air quality • Emission req. in EU since early 70’s • Euro standards on emissions since 1993 • Further Euro standards Euro 2, 3 and 4 • Euro 5 to be implemented 2008 – 2010 • Similar standards are being implemented in different global regions

4. How can exhaust gases be measured? • It does not measure pollution • Zirconium dioxide element • It is a sort of “automatic choke” • Produces a voltage signal according to the amount of unburned oxygen • Engine’s air/fuel ratio adjusted to produce a more optimum burn • Ideal ratio Petrol = 14.7:1 • Lambda Sensor

5. How can exhaust gases be measured? • Kane-May Quintox’s • Electrochemical analyser • Absorbs air from the exhaust • Air passes through filters • Temperature • CO, O2, NO, NO2, SO2, HC…

6. How canexhaust gases be measured? • Array of single gas analysers (Turbines) ( Experimental ) • Laser induced incandescence (Conc. PM) • Fluorescence decay (Temp.) • Others mainly in the research area

7. IR Spectroscopy • Gases absorb energy at specific frequencies • Chemical bonds at molecular level • Mid-IR “area of signature” (1500 – 500 cm-1) • Gases have unique signature • Absorption = Concentration

8. α Normal Fibre Optics • Very thin strands of pure glass used to transmit light signals • Core and cladding have diff. densities allowing total internal reflection • Mainly used in comms., but many more uses and research for new ones

9. Fiber Bragg Grating Grating lines half as far apart. Spacing = D/2 UV Laser Light Spacing = D Phase Mask Photosensitivity of Germanium dopant changed Imprint of Bragg Grating (Spectral Filter) on a fibre

10. Tests Setup • - Engine Mitsubishi • - Alternator Mecc Alte • Max Power 13 kW • Freq. 50 Hz • Load Output • 0% 0 kW • 25% 3.2 kW • 50% 6.5 kW • 75% 9.7 kW • 100% 13 kW

11. Depth Stop Probe with detachable steel shaft incorporates integral thermocouple Tests Setup

12. LabVIEW Setup

13. All Gases Plot

14. Historical Average

15. Controller Area Network • Developed in 1985 • Connects ECUs • Robust in EM noisy environments • Became ISO 11898 in 1993 • Increasingly adopted in industrial automation and control (robots, lifts, transportation systems, etc) BOSCH

16. Prototype’s Snapshot • Should fit nicely in the dashboard among other equally advanced instruments • Provides on-board, on-line measurement of exhaust output including temp. • Alarm LED actioned if/when average output goes above permitted levels • Possibility of outputting historical record to an HTML file

17. Urban Wireless Sensor Network • - Local Data collection • - Sensors strategically located • - Able to read each passing vehicle’s data • Map displays individual measurements for gases • 3 colours can represent level of gases • Data collated on tabular style for report

18. Work to be done (near future) • Continue test stage using engine • Investigate current technologies to measure PM • Study feasibility of implementation of measuring PM online • Investigation of Microwave Plasma for reduction of NOx and Nano Particulates

19. End Thanks very much for listening Please address queries to: L.E.Cordova-Lopez@2005.ljmu.ac.uk