Overview
UC Riverside is a leading research institute in the area of over the road/real-world vehicle testing. Over the past 5 years, UC Riverside has played a central role in the validation of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) systems for use in EPA’s in-use testing program of heavy-duty vehicles thought the Measurement Allowance Program. As part of this program, UC Riverside conducted in the in-use testing validation portion of this program utilizing UC Riverside’s Mobile Emissions Laboratory (MEL). The MEL is a full dilution system equipped in a 53’ trailer that is 1065 compliant and was cross correlated twice with Southwest Research Institute as part of the Measurement Allowance program. The in-use evaluations and validation played in critical role in developing the Measurement Allowance values for both gas-phase and PM PEMS.
UC Riverside has also been a leading research institute in the characterization of in-use emissions using PEMS and the MEL. This has included measurements of light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, construction equipment, ships, port support equipment, trains, and even jet aircraft. As part of these studies, UC Riverside has construction some of the most comprehensive PEMs systems. This includes a PEMS system based around the AVL microsoot sensor (MSS) with either an AVL or Sensor Inc. gas-phase PEMS. The AVL MSS was the best performing instrument for in-use PM measurements in EPAs Measurement Allowance program. We have utilized this system installed on construction equipment as part of program for CARB and Caltrans, as well as for on-road truck testing as part of the Measurement Allowance and other programs. UC Riverside has a separate PEMS system based on a Horiba PG350 portable multi-gas analyzer for steady state measurements in compliance with ISO 8178. This PEMS system has been utilized for testing on ships, of generators, and port support equipment. UC Riverside has developed protocols for technology verifications of emission control technologies for such applications as generators, marine vessels, and rubber tire gantry cranes.
Lead Researcher: Dr. Thomas Durbin