Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions
The Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions Section in the Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) conducts research and development on emissions from passenger cars and light trucks, specifically as affected by conventional fuel composition, or the replacement of conventional fuels by alternative fuels such as natural gas, LPG, and alcohols. In addition, the section performs detailed exhaust characterization such as hydrocarbon speciation, measurement of air toxics, and sampling and analysis of particulate matter. Evaporative as well as tailpipe emissions are measured. Test cycles include those required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as the ECE and Japan. Off-cycle conditions (hard accelerations, high power absorption, and others) can be run, and test temperatures can be controlled from 10 °F to 120 °F (-12 °C to 49 °C).
Kevin A. Whitney, Manager
Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions Technical Strengths
- Off-cycle test conditions and temperatures
Kevin A. Whitney - Speciation and toxics
Jeff J. White - Periodic testing during mileage accumulation
Jeff J. White - Analytical procedure development
Patrick M. Merritt - Diesel property effects studies
Kevin A. Whitney - Gasoline property effects studies
Jeff J. White - Evaporative emission measurement
Patrick M. Merritt - Lubricant property effects related to fuel economy and
emissions
Kevin A. Whitney - Fuel and fuel additive registration evaluations
E. Robert Fanick - Small utility engines
Patrick M. Merritt
Other Services Offered by Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions
- Environmental technology verifications (ETV)
- Spark and compression ignition engine fuel and additive effects
- Evaporative emissions and controls
- Emissions at high and low temperatures
- Unregulated pollutant speciation
- Alternative and flexible fuel vehicle research
- Evaporative emissions measurements from alternative fuels
