Automotive Powertrain and Emissions Control Laboratory

The Automotive Powertrain and Emissions Control Laboratory was established by Dr. Pingen Chen in 2016. The main research areas of focus are modeling, diagnostics, controls, and optimizations of various automotive systems including conventional/hybrid/electric powertrains, internal combustion engines, emissions control systems, sensors, autonomous vehicles, and advanced engine combustion with alternative/renewable fuels.

Key Capabilities:

• Control of lean-burn gasoline engine and passive SCR systems
• Fully integrated control of diesel engine and aftertreatment system applications
• Engine combustion with alternative/renewable fuels and flexible-fuel powertrain control
• Automated and connected vehicle development and controls
• Nonlinear control theory
• Optimization of electric vehicle operation and charging strategies
• Engine and aftertreatment system configuration optimization
• Catalyst aging and diagnostics

Key Equipment:

• Engines and Aftertreatment Systems
  • 2GR-FE Toyota 3.5L direct-injection gasoline engine (x2)
  • 2.5L Flat 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer gasoline engine
  • Cummins ISB6.7 Diesel Engine
  • Aftertreatment systems including diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), and urea-based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, NOx absorber catalyst, three-way catalyst
  • Nissan V6 3.5L direct injection gasoline engine and three-way catalyst (TWC)
  • Mercedes Benz M274 gasoline engines (x4)
  • Sensors: CAN-based NOx sensors, CAN-based ammonia sensors, CAN-based Bosch LSU 4.9 Lambda Sensor, differential pressure sensor, and thermocouples
  • Nissan LEAF electric vehicles with level-2 autonomy (adaptive cruise control and lane keeping), 226-mile EV range
• Test Equipment
  • DYNOmite engine dynamometer
  • DYNOmite EMS 5002 five gas analyzer
  • Engine starter engagement endurance tester
  • SuperFlow Black Widow high-performance water-brake engine dynamometer (suitable for both gasoline engines and heavy-duty diesel engine operations)
  • MKS MultiGas 2030-1065, 5-Hz high-speed FTIR gas analyzer
  • MultiGas 2030-1065 FTIR Gas Analyzer
• Rapid Prototype Control Equipment
  • dSPACE MicroAutoBox
  • dSPACE RapidPro Engine Control Modules
• In-House Catalyst Hydrothermal Aging System
  • Accelerated hydrothermal aging of Diesel aftertreatment systems on engine test bench
  • Achieve high aftertreatment temperatures (>600 ºC)

 

Contact:

Pingen Chen, Ph.D. pchen@tntech.edu