Field-Deployable Calibration System for Aircraft nvPM Emissions Measurements

We propose to develop, test, and deliver to the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) a robust, cost-effective, and accurate field-deployable calibration system for verification and validation of approved regulatory instruments for measurements of military and commercial aircraft non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) emissions. The field-deployable calibration system will consist of (1) a commercially available, quality ensured, nvPM particle source, (2) a simple, reproducible, and constant aerosolization and conditioning system, and (3) an integrated particle measurement package to verify the particle concentrations generated for calibration and testing purposes.This system will allow the Department of Defense to validate, in real-time (i.e., locally during testing), that their compliance testing of aircraft engines meet current and proposed EPA regulatory requirements for nvPM emissions using instruments that meet or exceed SAE E-31 requirements and to verify the long-term stability and repeatability of these instruments.The particle calibration system will be comprehensively tested in laboratory environments and deployed to demonstrate field-based capabilities measuring real-world jet engine particulate exhaust at the AEDC/UTSI Propulsion Research Facility.