Systems and methods for stationary engine emissions testing
Assignee4Sight Environmental, Inc.
InventorJames Scott Chapel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved electronically controlled portable testing system provides one or more self-contained, automated testing skids configured to perform required tests on the exhaust output of a stationary engine. The testing skids are configured for easy transportation on a medium duty truck and in a preferred testing process, are deployed to the engine site (and reloaded on the truck after testing is complete) using a lift attached to the truck. Using these systems and methods, a single technician can concurrently test multiple exhaust stacks on engines separated by any distance, from 100 feet to miles apart. The testing skids provide the technician with wireless remote test control and monitoring. The disclosed systems and methods increase the efficiency, accuracy and repeatability of tests.
Claims20
A portable self-contained test system for measuring emissions of an engine, comprising:
- a structural assembly forming a plurality of component mounting positions;
- a heated sampler mounted in said structural assembly and having an input connector adapted to receive a line carrying exhaust from the engine to the heated sampler for testing;
- a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer mounted in said structural assembly and connected to a gas output of the heated sampler;
- a plurality of testing gas sources mounted in said structural assembly and connected to the heated sampler via electrically actuated valves to selectively provide testing gases to the heated sampler;
- a programmable control device connected to said valves, comprising a program that automatically electrically controls said valves in a predetermined sequence to perform a series of emissions measurements;
- a computing device connected to said spectrometer and containing software that receives test data and analyzes said data to produce a standardized emissions test report as an output;
- and
- a portable electrical power source mounted in said structural assembly and connected to provide power to said spectrometer, said valves, said programmable control device, and said computing device, said source providing sufficient power to maintain operation of the connected devices for the duration of a complete standardized emissions test;
- wherein the structural assembly is arranged and sized so that the system contained therein can be delivered to a test site on a truck, removed from the truck and placed in position proximate to the engine requiring emissions testing, and left there for the duration of the emissions test.
A method for performing an emissions test for an engine operating at a fixed location, comprising the steps of:
- providing a portable, self-contained emissions test system comprising a structural assembly having mounted therein a heated sampler with an input connector, a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer connected to a gas output of the heated sampler, a plurality of testing gas sources connected to the heated sampler via electrically actuated valves, one or more computing devices with programs that automatically electrically control the valves and spectrometer to perform at least one standardized emissions test and provide a test report as an output, and a standalone electrical power source connected to provide power to components of the system for the duration of said emissions test;
- delivering said test system to a testing site on a truck;
- removing the test system from the truck and placing the test system in a position proximate to the engine to enable monitoring engine emissions;
- connecting the input connector of the sampler to the engine exhaust using a heated sample line;
- while the self-contained test system is in position, initiating one or more automated standardized emissions tests using the test system;
- and
- upon completion of the test, removing the test system from its position and loading the test system onto the truck for transportation to another site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.