5.2 Test conditions
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - NOx Technical Code (2008) - Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines - Chapter 5 - Procedures for NOx emission measurements on a test bed - 5.2 Test conditions

5.2 Test conditions

  5.2.1 Test condition parameter and test validity for engine family approval

5.2.1.1 The absolute temperature Ta of the engine intake air expressed in Kelvin shall be measured, and the dry atmospheric pressure p s, expressed in kPa, shall be measured or calculated as follows:

ps = pb – 0.01 · Ra · pa
  • p a according to formula (10)

  5.2.1.2 For naturally aspirated and mechanically pressure charged engines operating on liquid or dual fuel the parameter f a shall be determined according to the following:

  5.2.1.3.1 For turbocharged engines operating on liquid or dual fuel with or without cooling of the intake air the parameter fa shall be determined according to the following:

5.2.1.3.2 For engines to be tested with gas fuel only with or without cooling of the intake air the parameter fa shall be determined according to the following:

  5.2.1.4 For a test to be recognized as valid for engine family approval, the parameter fa shall be such that:

 5.2.2 Engines with charge air cooling

  5.2.2.1 The temperature of the cooling medium and the charge air temperature shall be recorded.

  5.2.2.2 All engines when equipped as intended for installation on board ships must be capable of operating within the applicable NOx emission limit of regulation 13 at an ambient seawater temperature of 25°C. This reference temperature shall be considered in accordance with the charge air cooling arrangement applicable to the individual installation as follows:

  • .1 Direct seawater cooling to engine charge air coolers. Compliance with the applicable NOx limit shall be demonstrated with a charge air cooler coolant inlet temperature of 25°C.

  • .2 Intermediate freshwater cooling to engine charge air coolers. Compliance with the applicable NOx limit shall be demonstrated with the charge air cooling system operating with the designed in service coolant inlet temperature regime corresponding to an ambient seawater temperature of 25°C.

  • Note: Demonstration of compliance at a parent engine test for a direct seawater cooled system, as given by (.1) above, does not demonstrate compliance in accordance with the higher charge air temperature regime inherent with an intermediate freshwater cooling arrangement as required by this section.

  • .3 For those installations incorporating no seawater cooling, either direct or indirect, to the charge air coolers, e.g., radiator-cooled freshwater systems, air/air charge air coolers, compliance with the applicable NOx limit shall be demonstrated with the engine and charge air cooling systems operating as specified by the manufacturer with 25°C air temperature.

  5.2.2.3 Compliance with the applicable NOx emission limit as defined by regulation 13 shall be demonstrated either by testing or by calculation using the charge air reference temperatures (TSCRef) specified and justified by the manufacturer, if applicable.

 5.2.3 Power

  5.2.3.1 The basis of specific emissions measurement is uncorrected brake power as defined in 1.3.11 and 1.3.13.The engine shall be submitted with auxiliaries needed for operating the engine (e.g., fan, water pump, etc.). If it is impossible or inappropriate to install the auxiliaries on the test bench, the power absorbed by them shall be determined and subtracted from the measured engine power.

  5.2.3.2 Auxiliaries not necessary for the operation of the engine and that may be mounted on the engine may be removed for the test. See also 5.1.5 and 5.1.6.

  5.2.3.3 Where auxiliaries have not been removed, the power absorbed by them at the test speeds shall be determined in order to calculate the dynamometer settings, except for engines where such auxiliaries form an integral part of the engine (e.g., cooling fans for air cooled engines).

 5.2.4 Engine air inlet system

  5.2.4.1 An engine air intake system or a test shop system shall be used presenting an air intake restriction within ± 300 Pa of the maximum value specified by the manufacturer for a clean air cleaner at the speed of rated power and full-load.

  5.2.4.2 If the engine is equipped with an integral air inlet system, it shall be used for testing.

 5.2.5 Engine exhaust system

  5.2.5.1 An engine exhaust system or a test shop system shall be used that presents an exhaust backpressure within ± 650 Pa of the maximum value specified by the manufacturer at the speed of rated power and full load. The exhaust system shall conform to the requirements for exhaust gas sampling, as set out in 5.9.3.

  5.2.5.2 If the engine is equipped with an integral exhaust system, it shall be used for testing.

  5.2.5.3 If the engine is equipped with an exhaust after-treatment device, the exhaust pipe shall have the same diameter as found in-use for at least 4 pipe diameters upstream to the inlet of the beginning of the expansion section containing the after-treatment device. The distance from the exhaust manifold flange or turbocharger outlet to the exhaust after-treatment device shall be the same as in the onboard configuration or within the distance specifications of the manufacturer. The exhaust backpressure or restriction shall follow the same criteria as above, and may be set with a valve.

  5.2.5.4 Where test-bed installation prevents adjustment to the exhaust gas backpressure as required, the effect on the NOx emissions shall be demonstrated by the engine builder and, with the approval of the Administration, the emission value duly corrected as necessary.

  5.2.6 Cooling system

  5.2.6.1 An engine cooling system with sufficient capacity to maintain the engine at normal operating temperatures prescribed by the manufacturer shall be used.


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