New independent engine testing lab - Test Equipment 2002 - from Olson Engineering Inc - Brief Article

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Feb, 2002

Olson Engineering Inc., which for some time has been involved in engine exhaust emission testing and providing exhaust emission equipment, has announced the opening of a new independent heavy-duty engine emissions testing lab in Santa Ana in Southern California. Along with heavy-duty engines, the lab also has the capability to emission test small off-highway engines used in such applications as personal watercraft and jet skis.

Don Olson, president and founder of Olson Engineering, has partnered with California Environmental Engineering, which is providing the test facilities, to offer this service to the engine industry and engine users. The primary aim is to offer both steady state and transient exhaust emission testing for heavy-duty diesel and natural gas engines, along with small off-highway gasoline engines. The lab is also offering general engine testing capabilities for specific needs, such as accessory performance evaluation, analysis of engine fuel additives, etc.

Currently the lab is conducting steady state emission testing of heavy-duty engines up to 2000 hp output in an engine test cell equipped with a Taylor water brake dynamometer. An additional test cell with an electric dynamometer is equipped for transient cycle emission testing of small engines such as leaf blowers, go-karts and personal watercraft, up to 50 hp output levels.

A new complete temperature controlled transient cycle emission test facility is now being installed for heavy-duty engine and engine component testing, and Olson says this testing will be done to meet the precise requirements of CARB in California and the US. EPA certification procedures. Olson says this new test cell is scheduled to begin independent testing projects by mid-2002.

The new lab will produce measurements of all exhaust emissions, including HC, NMHC, CO, [CO.sub.2], [NO.sub.x] and PM with both soluble and insoluble fractions and in accordance with government regulations and official testing procedures. In addition, the lab will conduct client requested special test cycles. Engine power; fuel and air consumption, temperatures, pressures and other operating parameters and engine performance variables are measured and reported simultaneously in the computer-controlled test equipment.

Typical of the services offered will be assistance in experimental design processes, help with government certification agencies, prototype engine testing and evaluations, testing of engine components and aftermarket parts, measurement of fuel blending components and fuel additive effects, alternative fuel evaluations, catalyst and particulate trap durability and performance testing and determination of emission deterioration factors.

Olson noted that there is a need for an independent engine and emission lab physically located in the western U.S., and there will be a growing demand for testing, as exhaust emission regulations become more strict and far reaching during the next few years.

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