Theodoros Vlachos

Bio: Theodoros Vlachos is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Turin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diesel engine & Diesel fuel. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 20 publications receiving 368 citations.

Vehicle Emission Factors of Solid Nanoparticles in the Laboratory and on the Road Using Portable Emission Measurement Systems (PEMS)

Abstract: Emission inventories are used to quantify sources and identify trends in the emissions of air pollutants. They use vehicle-specific emission factors that are typically determined in the laboratory, through remote-sensing, vehicle chasing experiments and, more recently, on-board Portable Emission Measurement Systems (PEMS). Although PEMS is widely applied to measure gaseous pollutants, their application to Solid Particle Number (SPN) emissions is new. In this paper, we discuss the current status of determining SPN emission factors both on the chassis dynamometer and on-road using PEMS-SPN. First, we determine the influence of the measurement equipment, ambient temperature, driving style and cycle characteristics, and the extra mass of the PEMS equipment on the SPN emissions. Afterward, we present the SPN emissions under type-approval conditions as well as on the road of two heavy-duty diesel vehicles equipped with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) (one Euro VI), two light-duty diesel vehicles equipped with DPF, one light-duty vehicle equipped with a Port Fuel Injection engine (PFI), and seven Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) passenger cars (two Euro 6). We find that cold-start and strong accelerations tend to substantially increase SPN emissions. The two heavy-duty vehicles showed emissions around 2×10^13 p/km (Euro V truck) and 6×10^10 p/km (Euro VI truck), respectively. One of the DPF-equipped light-duty vehicles showed emissions of 8×10^11 p/km, while the other one had one order of magnitude lower emissions. The PFI car had SPN emissions slightly higher than 1×10^12 p/km. The emissions of GDI cars spanned approximately from 8×10^11 p/km to 8×10^12 p/km. For the cars without DPF, the SPN emissions remained within a factor of two of the laboratory results. This factor was on average around 0.8 for the Euro 6 and 1.6 for the Euro 5 GDIs. The DPF equipped vehicles showed a difference of almost one order of magnitude between laboratory and on-road tests due to the different DPF fill state and passive regeneration during the tests. The findings of this study can (i) help improving the on SPN emissions and (ii) assist policy makers in designing effective test procedures for measuring SPN emissions of vehicles under real-world driving conditions.

Detailed Investigation on Soot Particle Size Distribution during DPF Regeneration, using Standard and Bio-Diesel Fuels

Abstract: The particle number and size distribution are important aspects to qualify diesel engine emissions, considering that new limits, in term of particle number, are expected for Euro 6 regulations. In ...

A review on the catalytic combustion of soot in Diesel particulate filters for automotive applications: From powder catalysts to structured reactors

Abstract: The current soot oxidation catalyst scenario has been reviewed, the main factors that affect the activity of powder catalysts have been highlighted and kinetic soot oxidation models have been examined. A critical review of recent advances in modelling approaches has also been presented in this work. The multiscale nature of DPFs lends itself to a hierarchical organization of models, over various orders of magnitude. Different observation scales (e.g., wall, channel, entire filter) have often been addressed with separate modelling approaches that are rarely connected to one another, mainly because of computational difficulties. Nevertheless, DPFs exhibit an intrinsic multi-scale complexity that is reflected by a trade-off between fine and large-scale phenomena. Consequently, the catalytic behavior of DPFs usually results in a non-linear combination of multi-scale phenomena.

The future of transportation in sustainable energy systems: Opportunities and barriers in a clean energy transition

Abstract: Energy demand of a transport sector has constantly been increasing in the recent years, consuming one third of the total final energy demand in the European Union (EU) over the last decade. A transition of this sector towards sustainable one is facing many challenges in terms of suitable technology and energy resources. Especially challenging transition is envisaged for heavy-weight, long-range vehicles and airplanes. A detailed literature review was carried out in order to detect the current state of the research on clean transport sector, as well as to point out the gaps in the research. In order to calculate the resources needed for the transition towards completely renewable transport sector, four main alternatives to the current fossil fuel systems were assessed and their potential was quantified, i.e. biofuels, hydrogen, synthetic fuels (electrofuels) and electricity. Results showed that electric modes of transport have the largest benefits and should be the main aim of the transport transition. It was calculated that 72.3% of the transport energy demand on the EU level could be directly electrified by the technology existing today. For the remaining part of the transport sector a significant demand for energy resources exists, i.e. 3069 TWh of additional biomass was needed in the case of biofuels utilization scenario while 2775 TWh of electricity and 925 TWh of heat were needed in the case of renewable electrofuels produced using solid oxide electrolysis scenario.

Review of Vehicular Emissions Trends

Abstract: This review paper summarizes major developments in vehicular emissions regulations and technologies from 2014. The paper starts with the key regulatory advancements in the field, including newly proposed Non-Road Mobile Machinery regulations for 2019-20 in Europe, and the continuing developments towards real driving emissions (RDE) standards. An expert panel in India proposed a roadmap through 2025 for clean fuels and tailpipe regulations. LD (light duty) and HD (heavy-duty) engine technology continues showing marked improvements in engine efficiency. Key developments are summarized for gasoline and diesel engines to meet both the emerging NOx and GHG regulations. HD engines are demonstrating more than 50% brake thermal efficiency using methods that can reasonably be commercialized. Next, NOx control technologies are summarized, including SCR (selective catalytic reduction), lean NOx traps, and combination systems. Emphasis is on durability and control. Diesel PM (particulate matter) reduction findings are evolving around the behavior of the soot cake and PM sensors. Gasoline particulates are further described and gasoline particulate filter regeneration is now better understood. Oxidation catalysts mainly involve developments towards stubborn problems, like sulfur tolerance, low-temperature performance with exhaust with high hydrocarbon and CO, and methane oxidation. Finally, the paper discusses some key developments in gasoline gaseous emission control, focusing on meeting new regulatory requirements in the US, durability, and on lean burn gasoline emissions control. CITATION: Johnson, T., \"Review of Vehicular Emissions Trends,\" SAE Int. J. Engines 8(3):2015, doi:10.4271/2015-01-0993. 2015-01-0993 Published 04/14/2015 Copyright © 2015 SAE International doi:10.4271/2015-01-0993 saeeng.saejournals.org 1152 This paper is posted on this website with permission from SAE International. It may not be shared, downloaded, duplicated, or transmitted in any manner without prior written permission from SAE.