New lean-burn transient and stoichiometric test stands have expanded the vehicular emissions testing capabilities of the Exhaust Composition Transient Operation Laboratory (ECTO-Lab) at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The facility houses a multi-fueled, burner-based reactor system designed to replicate exhaust conditions generated by internal combustion engines. The ECTO-Lab system can simulate lean and stoichiometric exhaust gas conditions utilizing gasoline, diesel, natural gas or propane fuels.

“ECTO-Lab data have demonstrated reduced cycle-to-cycle variation compared to engine dynamometer results, A technician connects a sample line to monitor ECTO-Lab back pressure. The computer-controlled, multi-fueled burner system simulates engine exhaust conditions. Source: Southwest Research Instituteand performance data from ECTO-Lab-aged parts correlate well to field-aged parts,” said Dr. Cary Henry, an assistant director in SwRI’s Powertrain Engineering Division. “The ability to run accelerated aging on a bench stand could save industry millions of dollars, helping develop or improve technology to meet increasingly strict emissions regulations and increased targets for full useful life.”

The technology upgrades include new model-based control software and conversion of the data acquisition system to a high-speed platform with greater flexibility and improved operating system compatibility. Fueling and nitrogen oxides control systems are now equipped with precision instrumentation and advanced communication protocols. High-precision mass flow controllers added to the auxiliary air injection improve the tunability, repeatability and closed-loop control of cycles such as the standard bench cycle for three-way catalyst aging, which predicts the useful life of emission control systems for light-duty vehicles.