Comparison of Exhaust Particle Number Measured by EEPS, CPC, and ELPI

Abstract

An Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS) Spectrometer, a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) and an Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) were used to determine the exhaust particle number of a Diesel engine on steady speeds and on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), upstream and downstream several Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). In order to obtain different particle numbers, five DPFs with different porosity were used. The above three instruments give quite similar total particle numbers on steady speeds and on the NEDC for the tests upstream DPF. Downstream DPF, EEPS reaches its limit of measurement; however, the total particle numbers obtained by this instrument are still close to the particle numbers obtained by CPC and ELPI. The particle number versus time of the three instruments are quite close in the case of the NEDC measurements upstream DPF. Downstream DPF, CPC, and ELPI give quite similar signals, but EEPS reached its limits of detection. Upstream DPF, ELPI, and EEPS determine quite similar median diameters in the case of steady speeds, despite their different shape in particle size distribution.