Portable HC-Tracker

With the entry into force of the Euro 6d-Temp legislation, the measurement of pollutant emissions under real driving conditions has come to the fore. It can be assumed that with the introduction of future emission standards, other exhaust gas components such as unburned hydrocarbons (HC) will also be regulated. For this work, the metrological need for mobile HC measurement forms the basis for the development of a suitable sensor principle.

In contrast to common measurement systems for the determination of hydrocarbon concentration such as flame ionization detectors (FID), the system presented here works without flame and without hydrogen. In the course of a research project, a first laboratory prototype based on the novel sensor principle was developed in the interplay of numerical simulations and experimental tests. This sensor contains a temperature-controlled glow plug whose temperature is significantly lower than the flame of an FID, but which nevertheless causes ion formation in gases containing hydrocarbons, which can be measured and correlates with the HC concentration. The first use of the prototype with sample gases with different HC concentrations shows a reproducible and HC-dependent ion current signal. Based on these promising measurements, further research and development work is ongoing to determine the potential of the sensor principle with respect to its suitability as a measurement technique for RDE.

New concepts of the sensor interior are currently being developed and investigated by CFD simulation. Emphasis is being placed on optimizing heat transfer to the test gases. In addition, new measurement technology has been developed and manufactured to enable the sensor to be operated at higher measurement voltages.

For students there is a permanent opportunity to participate in the framework of project (PA, R & D) and thesis (Bachelor, Master) . Open topics can be found at student research or by direct contact with the responsible staff member.