Operational Tests of Brake Fluid in Passenger Cars

During the operation of vehicles, the properties of liquids and consumables deteriorate, which may affect the level of safety of technical systems and road traffic safety. The results of testing brake fluid aging as a function of boiling point and percentage of water content were presented on a selected group of passenger cars. The tested vehicles were varied in terms of age and kilometer mileage. The methodology for testing the quality of brake fluid based on glycol selected passenger cars remaining in service has been presented. In this study was shown a significant decrease in the brake fluids quality during the two years of operation in vehicles. The determination of boiling point was more efficient than the determination of water content. Despite the lack of full vehicle operational information, the obtained test results allow for exciting observations

FTIR Spectrometry with PLS Regression for Rapid TBN Determination of Worn Mineral Engine Oils

The TBN (Total Base Number) parameter is generally recognized by both engine oil processors and engine manufacturers as a key factor of oil quality. This is especially true for lubricating oils used in diesel and gas engines, which are exposed to relatively high temperatures and, therefore, require more effective protection against degradation. The FTIR spectrometry method together with a multivariate statistical software helped to create a model for the determination of TBN of worn motor oil SAE 15W-40 ACEA: E5/E7, API: CI-4. The best results were provided using a model FTIR with Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression in an overall range of 4000–650 cm1 without the use of mathematical adjustments of the scanned spectra by derivation. Individual spectral information was condensed into nine principal components with linear combinations of the original absorbances at given wavenumbers that are mutually not correlated. A correlation coefficient (R) between values of TBN predicted by the FTIR-PLS model and values determined using a potentiometric titration in line with the CSN ISO 3771 standard reached a value of 0.93. The Root Mean Square Error of Calibration (RMSEC) was determined to be 0.171 mg KOH.g1, and the Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP) was determined to be 0.140 mg KOH.g1. The main advantage of the proposed FTIR-PLS model can be seen in a rapid determination and elimination of the necessity to work with dangerous chemicals. FTIR-PLS is used mainly in areas of oil analysis where the speed of analysis is often more important than high accuracy

Internal combustion engine diagnostics using statistically processed Wiebe function

The aim of the article is to present the concept of an indirect diagnostic method using the assessment of the variability of the amount of released heat (mass fraction burn) and the heat release rate. The Wiebe function for the assessment of variability has been used. The Wiebe function parameters from the course of the high-pressure indication in the cylinder of internal combustion engine using linear regression have been calculated. From a sufficiently large number of measured samples, the upper and lower limits of the Wiebe function parameters have been statistically determined. Lower and upper limits characterize variability of the heat release process not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of heat release rate. The assessment of variability is thus more complicated than using one integral indicator, typically the mean value of amount of the released heat. The procedure enabling a more accurate estimation of heat generation beginning has been shown. For the combustion process variability assessment of the engine, statistical test of relative frequencies has been used.Web of Science23351150

Determination of the deviation of the on-board computer in the vehicle when determining the average fuel consumption

Fuel consumption measurement itself is a demanding process and it is difficult to determine the exact consumption of a vehicle. Fuel consumption can be determined in various ways. One way to determine consumption is through driving tests. We know several types of driving tests. Nowadays, most vehicles and all new vehicles can provide a wealth of data to the driver directly during vehicle operation. One of them is the data on the consumption of the vehicle also through the on-board computer located in the vehicle. The information provided to the driver may not reflect reality. In most cases, they are inaccurate and do not correspond to reality. Therefore, the subject of the research will be to verify the accuracy of the provided data on vehicle consumption by the on-board computer. The aim of the research will be to determine the extent to which consumption data are true. Vehicle consumption, as well as measurements are performed on one vehicle in every day traffic. This will ensure that it is possible to compare the measured data with each other

Research on low-emission vehicle powered by LPG using innovative hardware and software

LPG is a cheap and ecological fuel for spark ignition engines. The sequential gas injection system can be installed at the factory and is then the Original Equipment of the Manufacturer. A vehicle with a spark ignition engine can also be converted to gas in an authorized workshop. In both cases, the vehicle must meet the same exhaust emission standards when running on alternative fuel as it does with the original fuel. Conversion of vehicles to LPG and CNG is regulated by law at the European Union level. The article describes the conversion of a low-emission gasoline vehicle that meets the Euro 6 emission standard to LPG. The configuration and calibration of the LPG system is described in detail. The compatibility of the gas system with the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system was then checked. Finally, road tests of the vehicle were carried out to compare the performance with the original fuel and the alternative fuel

The importance of hybrid vehicles in urban traffic in terms of environmental impact

Many large cities in Europe are currently trying to reduce the amount of harmful substances for the residents. Road transport is also an important source of air pollution. One way to reduce pollutant production is to operate more environmentally friendly vehicles. The paper analyses data obtained during practical tests of a hybrid vehicle in urban traffic. The individual components of the exhaust gases are calculated in g/km and they are compared with the values for conventional vehicle propulsion. The data was obtained through a commercially available exhaust gas analyzer and a calculated amount of emissions produced from available data from the engine control unit. The results shown that using of this type of propulsion has its importance in cities with increased air pollution. During urban operation, the hybrid-powered vehicle was powered by an electric engine up to 67.70% (75.40% of the time). As a result of operating such a vehicle in the city, emissions of CO2, HC and NOx are significantly lower

Hodnocení účinnosti palivových katalyzátorů

Fuel additives are offered to motorists at petrol stations and on the internet. Cerium or iron in the form of ferrocene is often used as a catalytically active metal in these additives. Producers of these fuels borne catalyst declare that their use will improve certain properties of engine. Therefore, in this paper are presented the result of testing and effects of these additives on the smoke and the engine noise. The results do not confirmed the positive effect of these fuel additives on the researched properties of engine.Palivové přísady jsou nabízeny motoristům na čerpacích stanicích a na internetu. V těchto přísadách se cer nebo železo ve formě ferocenu často používá jako katalyticky aktivní kov. Výrobci těchto katalyzátorů uvádějí, že jejich použití zlepšuje určité vlastnosti motoru. Proto jsou v tomto příspěvku uvedeny výsledky zkoušek a účinků těchto přísad na kouřivost a hluk motoru. Výsledky nepotvrzují pozitivní vliv těchto palivových přísad na zkoumané vlastnosti motoru

Identification of places with deteriorated air quality in city of Žilina in relation to road transport

The aim of the research is to identify places with deteriorated air quality in the selected city. After an analytical analysis of the data, it is possible to propose steps that can be used to actively contribute to the reduction of air pollution, especially due to road traffic. Places where deteriorated air quality was identified were identified on the basis of practical measurements. Given that the measurement route was designed in a built-up area of the city with a large number of pedestrians, the research was primarily focused on the identification of particulate matters (PM) and the concentration of carbon monoxide CO. The measurements were performed repeatedly on a pre-defined route. The measurements were carried out repeatedly during the morning rush hour when traffic was congested on the roads. Based on the processing and evaluation of the measurements, the sections where increased values of individual emissions were recorded were determined. In this way, it is possible to precisely identify places where air quality deteriorates. The research conclusions provide support for planning the optimization of air quality management policies towards the creation of sustainable cities. The research results present the possibilities of identifying problematic sections from the point of view of emissions production. Critical places with regard to the production of emissions can be connected to places where a permanently increased movement of vehicles is observed

Efficiency Assessment of Fuel Borne Catalyst

Fuel additives are offered to motorists at petrol stations and on the internet. Cerium or iron in the form of ferrocene is often used as a catalytically active metal in these additives. Producers of these fuels borne catalyst declare that their use will improve certain properties of engine. Therefore, in this paper are presented the result of testing and effects of these additives on the smoke and the engine noise. The results do not confirmed the positive effect of these fuel additives on the researched properties of engine

MEASUREMENT OF FUEL CONSUMPTION OF A ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE BY OUTDOOR DRIVING TESTING

This paper presents the chosen significant parameters affecting vehicle fuel consumption during the vehicle operation. The conducted measurement results define important practical operational functions in the actual operation of the vehicle, which allows for further processing of the input data in order to measure fuel consumption in laboratory tests. The proposal of the methodology for measuring the fuel consumption based on actual operation conditions in the city of Žilina and its surroundings was shown