EXHAUST AND EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS TESTING OF FLEXIBLE-FUEL VEHICLES

CRC Project No. E-80

Leaders:    D. M. DiCicco
                  H. Maldonado

Scope and Objective

The objectives of this project are to procure and test a small fleet (7 vehicles) of late model California-certified Flexible-Fueled Vehicles (FFVs) (or equivalent) to determine the exhaust and evaporative emissions impact of varying ethanol-gasoline blends.  This includes determining what is required (procedure, time, mileage) to adjust the engine fuel control system in order to aid in the understanding of the effect of switching fuels on emissions.  In addition, chemical speciation of the exhaust and evaporative emissions is also a project objective.

Current Status and Future Program

The testing is outlined as follows:

• Pilot Program

• Measure exhaust emissions (Unified Cycle) while vehicle learns new ethanol level
• Transitions: E85 to E6, E6 to E85, E85 to 50/50 mix

• Main Program

• After stabilizing fuel learning on 4 blends of gasoline and ethanol E9, E32, E59 and E85, measure tailpipe exhaust emissions on the following test cycles:

  -FTP
  -US06
  -Unified Cycle

• After stabilizing fuel system (3 week soak with weekly driving and 1 hour steady temperature SHED test), measure evaporative emissions over the following procedures:

  -FTP Running Loss
  -Unified Cycle Running Loss
  -2-Day Diurnal

Harold Haskew and Associates was selected as the contractor for this project.  The pilot study was completed, and the main project started in early June. Testing is expected to continue through 2009. 

Back to the Emissions Index