Development of HC Sensor & System for Catalyst Monitoring of Automobiles 2000-01-3093

An on-board monitoring system for an automobile emission gas has developed using porous ceramic sensor to apply in automotive. We have performed model experiment using similarity and engine dynamometer experiment. By the model experiment, output signal of HC sensor is followed with amount of hydrocarbon in the mixed gas under high temperature range. A single hydrocarbon sensor exposed to the exhaust gas in the chamber to render a signal responsive to the hydrocarbon. The HC sensor in test chamber checked the conductive ions in emission gas. A preferred application includes hydrocarbons in an automotive exhaust gas stream by exposing a porous alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic based sensor to the same exhaust gas stream. By combining the electrical signal, a measure of hydrocarbons can be provided. By the developed temperature mode test and the load mode test for engine dynamometer experiment, we have confirmed a possibility of catalyst monitoring used HC sensor in the engine dynamometer.