#80 - Unique Application – Portable 8 Channel CO analyzer

There is a saying that a person with two watches never knows what time it is. What about someone with 8 watches?

 

A few years ago, we had an inquiry from a major automobile manufacturer for a multi-channel carbon monoxide analyzer. It had to have 8 separate channels of gas analysis and it had to be portable. The 8 channels were to be isolated from each other and have separate displays for each reading. This instrument was essentially 8 analyzers in one. The only common parts were the cabinet and some power supply components.

 

The intended use for this unusual instrument was to monitor 8 separate zones inside an automobile while driving on the test track.

 

 

 

The analyzer was ranged as follows:

Channels 1-6: 0-500 PPM CO

Channels 7-8: 0-2000 PPM CO

 

There was an individual 0-5V recorder output for each channel. The analyzer outputs were to be connected to the customer’s data recorder so that the entire test track results could be uploaded later to a personal computer for data analysis.

 

Each channel had its own sample pump and flow meter. So the instrument actively pulled the samples to itself through a tubing bundle which was extracting from each zone of interest in the automobile.

 

The response time was about 20-30 seconds per 90% of step change. The electrochemical sensors used in this instrument were customer-replaceable.

 

We thought that this analyzer was odd enough that we would likely never build one again. We were wrong. Copies of this analyzer have been purchased several times since by major auto manufacturers around the world.

Addendum Jan 31, 2013 - We just completed another two of these units for another major auto manufacturer - this time for General Motors in the USA. Two further clarifications:

• The instrument has the Sample In ports located on the front of the cabinet for easy access to the operator. The Vents are located on the back of the cabinet.
• There are 0-1V recorder output connections for each channel located on the front and the back panels. Again, this is for easy access for the operator.

 

Here are the Specifications :

 

METHOD OF DETECTION:

Customer replaceable electrochemical sensors

RANGES:
Readout 1-6: 0-500 PPM

Readout 7-8: 0-2000 PPM

 

RESOLUTION:

1 PPM in PPM Range

 

ACCURACY AND REPEATABILITY:

Better than 1% of full scale, based on a 0-2000 PPM range

 

DRIFT:

Less than 1% of full scale per day

 

RESPONSE TIME (T-90):

20-30 seconds per 90% of step change

 

AMBIENT TEMP. RANGE:

0-50°C (32° to 122°F)

 

LINEARITY:

Better than 1% of full scale

 

POWER:

12 VDC and rechargeable battery option

 

OUTPUT OPTIONS:

0-5 V

 

 

 

 

For information on these and other gas analyzer systems, give Mike or Dave at Nova a call, or send us an e-mail.

1-800-295-3771

sales at nova-gas dot com

websales at nova-gas dot com

http://www.nova-gas.com/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

Test track photo copyright © 2009 Truss, Bob & Jan of Holland

Bus test track photos Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

http://mercedes-benz-blog.blogspot.ca/2009/02/setra-s-411-hd-as-visitor-bus-at.html

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#40 - Driving Clean and Engine Exhaust Analysis – Part 2

In a previous post we talked about Ontario’s Drive Clean program for monitoring vehicle exhaust.

Edit Oct 2014 - Other posts about engine exhaust
#38 - Driving Clean and Engine Exhaust Analysis - Part 1
#80 - Unique Application – Portable 8 Channel CO analyzer
#193 - Update on Automotive E-testing

Emissions testing is also useful for tuning engines irrespective of government clean air programs. High levels of certain gases may indicate a specific engine condition. For example,

High HC’s may indicate:
- Vacuum leaks
- Ignition system malfunctions
- Incorrect air/fuel mixture

High CO may indicate:
- Dirty air filter, faulty choke or carburetor
- Faulty computerized engine management system and/or oxygen sensor
- Inoperative/missing catalytic converter

High NOx may indicate:
- Inoperative/ineffective exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system
- Excessively lean/fuel ratio
- Malfunctioning or missing catalytic converter

Nova is interested in engine exhaust analysis because that is something that we can do. Our 7460 Series Portable Engine Exhaust Analyzers are available in various combinations including O2, CO, CO2, HC, & NOx. Our customers have used this analyzer on diesel, gasoline, propane, or natural gas powered 2 and 4 cycle engines. We have even had inquires for exhaust analysis on these little beauties from India:

Check out the 7460 Series in our on-line catalog.

The 7460 Series is a portable analyzer that uses infrared and electrochemical sensors / detectors. As such, it does not likely qualify for official regulatory use such as in Ontario’s Clear Air Program.

We do build these analyzers to meet Bar 97 and ISO 3930/OIML R99, Class O specifications. Therefore, many mechanics have effectively used this analyzer for reliable engine tuning and emissions reduction. We have noticed that this analyzer is also popular among equipment mechanics who work on forklifts and other non-road vehicles.

Added March 2013 - We have noticed that our fork-lift customers frequently print on the analyzer cabinet the target gas readings for a properly tuned engine. For example, we have a couple of units in the Nova lab right now being calibrated for one of our customers. They have printed the following target gas readings on the analyzer:

• O2: 0.8 % to 2.0 %
• CO: 0.1% to 0.8 %
• CO2: more than 11.0 %
• HC's: less than 200ppm

We have even sold a couple of these analyzers for high altitude use in the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan). A facility located somewhere in the Tien Shan Mountains at an elevation of 4000m / 13,100ft is using our analyzers for mechanical maintenance of site equipment.

Nova equipment is somewhere in them hills!

If you are in the business of tuning engines and require analysis of engine exhaust, ask Mike or Dave about the 7460 Series Gas Analyzers.

1-800-295-3771
sales at nova-gas dot com
websales at nova-gas dot com
http://www.nova-gas.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/NOVAGAS

If you have a LinkedIn account, search for Nova Analytical Systems under Companies and follow us if you want.

For additional information, please see the following links:

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h56.pdf

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@ene/documents/resource/stdprod_087907.pdf

Photo of vehicle

Copyright © 2006 Panchnath Auto Pvt. Ltd.
http://www.pal3wheeler.com/pick-up-angle-body.htm

Photo of Tien Shan Mountains © Kopylov Vladimir

http://mountains.tos.ru/kopylov/pict/khan_sh.jpg

http://mountains.tos.ru/tiensh.htm

#38 - Driving Clean and Engine Exhaust Analysis – Part 1

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter because of the high numbers of vehicles on the road.* Various legislative initiatives since the early 1970’s have reduced the per-vehicle pollutant emissions. Some initiatives have addressed vehicle design while others have focused on maintenance-related emissions.

For example, in Ontario Canada, there is a vehicle inspection program that is intended to promote a reduction in automotive emissions. Vehicles must have an emissions test to renew registration and license plates. An overview of the program can be found at:

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/category/drive_clean/STDPROD_075529.html

The tailpipe emissions inspection looks at Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide, & Nitrogen Oxide (HC, CO, NO) while the engine is under load and while at idle. The allowable limits will depend on the type of vehicle and engine that is being tested.

I have a rather large pick-up truck. It recently failed the emissions test. Some of the gas readings were double what the emissions limit is. Not good. The culprit – leak in the exhaust manifold was allowing air into the engine. This caused the oxygen sensor to misread. This in turn caused a miscalculation the combustion mixture, making it fuel-rich. The result – high emissions. When my practical need for a pickup truck ceases very soon, I will likely purchase a much more sensible vehicle with lower emissions and better gas mileage.

However, it is also worth noting that an engine does not have to be large and powerful to produce high emissions. The graphics below are scans of actual test results obtained on various vehicles. Engine size and vehicle maintenance both have an affect on test scores. You will note that the small engine with the failed oxygen sensor produced high amounts of carbon monoxide, while the expertly maintained large engine had 0% carbon monoxide (probably less than 100ppm). Therefore, it can be said that good vehicle maintenance is demonstrably good for the vehicle and for the environment.

If a vehicle fails the test, the Ontario Drive Clean law says that the owner must fix the vehicle. The vehicle owner may obtain a ‘conditional pass’ if the problem has not been remediated after spending a fixed minimum of money on repairs. The test results shown at the bottom of the graphic met the requirements of a conditional pass.

In Ontario Canada, engine exhaust analysis is required to designate a vehicle ‘clean’ and keep it on the road. In a future post we will talk a little bit about another good reason to analyze engine exhaust gases.

If you are in the business of tuning engines or require analysis of engine exhaust, ask Mike or Dave about the 7460 Series Gas Analyzers.

1-800-295-3771
sales at nova-gas dot com
websales at nova-gas dot com
http://www.nova-gas.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/NOVAGAS

If you have a LinkedIn account, search for Nova Analytical Systems under Companies and follow us if you want.

* U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, OFFICE OF MOBILE SOURCES (1994) Automobile Emissions: An Overview, EPA 400-F-92-007, http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/05-autos.pdf

For additional information, please see the following links:
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h56.pdf
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@ene/documents/resource/stdprod_087907.pdf