PIOTR STANOWSKI BOGDAN ĩÓŁTOWSKI UTP WIM POIG BYDGOSZCZ
Summary
This paper introduces the results of investigations of usefulness of new fuels for combustion engines, as well as shows an important role of stations of vehicle control in fitness maintenance. Combustion engines, as well as the whole vehicle, are subject to periodical control of the state during which safety, the threats to the environment and the risk of exploitation are considered. The programme that financed the inves-tigation formulated investigative problems be unreeled in the next stages of the pro-ject.
Keywords: combustion engines, fitness, safety, control state, diagnostic 1. Issues of fuel selection for vehicles
1.1. The effect of ethanol blending on the parameters of gasoline engine
With an ever-increasing demand for fuel produced from crude oil and a significant increase and large fluctuations of fuel prices, it is important to seek alternative fuels to petroleum gasoline [1,6,11]. According to the biofuel Directive of the European Union, the share of biofuels in fuels is expected to increase from 2% in 2005 to 10% in 2020, as shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. The share of biofuels in conventional fuels in the European Union in the years 2005–2020 (in %)
Rapid development of automotive industry and shrinking resources of petroleum fuel with each year resulted in the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption. This resulted, in the same way, in the exploration of alternative fuels and in efforts of car manufacturers to reduce the consumption
of energy raw material. European regulations on the emissions of toxic exhaust components go hand in hand with the limits of consumption and stimulate awareness of contemporary perform-ance engines. Projected consumption of various fuels for road transport in the European Union by the year 2020 is shown in Figure 2.
Fig. 2. Consumption of fuels in road transport of the European Union in the years 2005–2020 Currently, powered spark ignition engines use a mixture of unleaded gasoline (base fuel) and ethanol as an additive (usually up to 5%). The use of ethanol fuel to power spark ignition engines, which has had a positive impact on reducing emissions of carbon oxides and hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, prompted the European Commission to issue Directive 2003/30/EC. It lays down a recommended goal – 5.75% of renewable fuels (in terms of energy) for transportation purposes by the end of 2010 and 8% share of biofuels by 2015. Alternative fuels, including ethanol, can also be applied in a wide range of equipment and vehicles equipped with four-stroke engines with spark ignition, which represents 73% of cars in Poland and 62% in Europe. At present, these fuels are not manufactured in Poland. These facts were the main motivation to take up the topic for this dissertation and make tests in the laboratory to verify the adopted hypothesis, purpose assumptions and the scope of the dissertation [2,5,7,9,10].
Obtaining information on the percentage composition of a mixture of unleaded petrol Pb95 with non-dehydrated distilling ethanol and modifying additives (initiator of ignition, water emulsi-fier, combustion stabilizer, corrosion inhibitor) to power a modern spark-ignition engine without having to introduce structural changes and changes in the settings of the engine injection system are the main tasks of this research.
An additional objective of the study was to identify and assess the impact of new fuel (tested in this study) on the reliability and durability of the structure of the tested engine, and to test the emissions of harmful components of gas exhaust. The results of the performed study may give rise to the next step in the exploration of broader scopes of testing, and, ultimately, to the produc-tion of alternative fuel by the petrochemical industry in Poland.
1.2. Justification of the importance of the issue
Requirements of modern engines are often contradictory, which can be seen clearly if one takes into account an ever-increasing number of cars and traffic congestion associated with it. On the other hand, however, it is important to limit the amount of fuel consumed and harmful exhaust
components emitted into the environment. With regard to the engines that drive both cars and trucks, the three most important factors should be taken into account:
• low fuel consumption (economy work), • low toxicity of fumes,
• high flexibility (good dynamic properties), • durability and reliability design.
Meeting these requirements poses considerable difficulties for designers and requires substan-tial financial and intellectual effort to research for new solutions and to implement them into production. This problem was noticed earlier in relation to engines of heavy duty traffic trucks, where the economy is crucial. To solve the problem of improving the economy and reduce the toxicity in case of these engines, a new approach, different from traditional solutions, was also necessary. As far as engines of trucks are concerned, they have been more prone to meet the stringent requirements for many years, and there has been a major progress in their construction enforced by restrictive rules on one hand, and the need to reduce costs associated with fuel con-sumption on the other. Simply put, the smaller engine fuel concon-sumption will be, the lower the global number of toxic compounds excreted by the engine to the atmosphere will be [5,7,8,9].
In this way, the key problem to allow the fulfilment of the first two demands is the reduction of fuel consumption by the engine. With regard to passenger cars, the postulates of ethanol fuel use appeared to power them. They were expected to comply with the two previously presented demands, but that was only a theoretical inquiry. While a heavy duty truck company Scania successfully used this fuel, there were no national studies proving its properties in service.
2. Diagnostic station role in maintaining motor vehicles 2.1. Division of activities when servicing motor vehicles
Any vehicle moving on the road is operated and undergoes physical aging, which reduces the suitability of use. The method of counteraction to this process is to carry out the activities referred to as maintenance. Such operations can be divided into three groups:
a) activities aimed at preventing the aging mechanism of the vehicle in operation (diagnostics, connections, strengthening, regulations);
b) operations to remove the effects of aging and obtaining a performance status by the vehicle – corrective action;
c) operations to ensure the maintenance of cleanliness and operational readiness (washing, cleaning, replenishment of fluids, etc.). Using the concept of a chain of actions, it can be claimed that a machine is operated when there is a chain operation, which is the subject or the object element of the action. In order to implement the servicing of vehicles, technical means and trained personnel are necessary.
The position where maintenance operations are performed can be divided into: a) universal;
b) specialized:
a. the implementation of the various types of handling; b. the implementation of some maintenance activities;
Technical Diagnostics is a structured set of methods and measures to assess the technical con-dition (its causes, evolution and consequences) of technical systems. In most cases, these are systems deliberately designed to perform specific missions, generating or transforming informa-tion which is used to evaluate their technical condiinforma-tion. The role of a diagnostic stainforma-tion is to maintain the airworthiness of motor vehicles. The quality of this role depends on the conditions listed above, but primarily on the proper and legitimate personnel action, which, on the basis of symptoms, is able not only to choose an appropriate method of proceeding and elimination of the effects of technical problems encountered, but also to concentrate on the capture and removal of the cause [6,8,9,10,11].
In the system of exploitation, in terms of maintenance of vehicles fit for operation, we distin-guish the following format: entity diagnosis – diagnostic tool – the subject of diagnosis. The subject of diagnosis is the man (e.g., diagnostician), a tool of diagnosis are the methods and means (instruments, tools), technical diagnostics, the vehicle is the subject of diagnosis, layout, assembly, subassembly, and even a part of it. For the purpose of elaboration of this theme, the focus was put on diagnostic tools necessary to obtain the crucial information to identify the technical condition of the item diagnosed, that is a modern car.
2.2. Assessment of the demand for virtual methods in diagnosing the condition of vehicles An increasing demand for methods and means of technical diagnostics resulting from a modern way of creating "quality" vehicles meets the contemporary determinants of operators. A demand for diagnosis coincides with the emergence of new applications and developments of microelectronics, computer technology, modelling, chaos theory, neural networks, genetic algo-rithms and artificial intelligence, effectively supporting the possibilities of modern diagnostics. The task of this paper is to present contemporary used tools needed for the diagnosis of motor vehicles, necessary for a diagnostic station in order to maintain the airworthiness of the vehicle.
The specification of the above-mentioned devices and diagnostic tools and an example of a diagnosis of combustion vehicle engine and its scope are just a small part of a vehicle inspection station equipment. A study on the specific requirements imposed by the relevant Ministry as to how to conduct and employ entitled diagnosticians and the scope of their operations will be presented in part III.
3. The role of a diagnostic station in the maintenance of vehicles
3.1. Legal resolutions of issues concerning the assessment of vehicle technical state
A study in vehicle inspection stations is to determine whether a vehicle meets the required conditions for allowing a vehicle to travel on public roads without compromising road safety and meet the criteria of environmental protection. Examinations are carried out on several occasions while using a vehicle. The first technical inspection of a passenger car, a truck with a maximum mass of 3.5 tons, a tractor and trailer is carried out before the first registration. Brand new vehicles that have a certificate of approval are exempt from this requirement. Then, the communication department appropriate for the place of residence of the owner shall register the vehicle and enter in the registration certificate of the vehicle roadworthiness test period. Deadline for the next examination is a part of the registration certificate of authorized diagnostician after a positive test result of the vehicle. The next technical examination of these groups of vehicles is carried out
before the expiry of three years from the date of the first registration, and the next, after two years. Further technical studies are carried out during 12 months after the preceding study.
Taxi cars, vehicles for commercial transportation between 5 and 9 persons, vehicles fuelled with a SAM are examined every 12 months; mopeds – every 2 years. Trailers, light and antique vehicles are not subject to periodic roadworthiness tests. If the condition does not allow a vehicle to move, an entitled diagnostician issues a certificate authorizing it to travel on the road by the time necessary to repair the damaged unit, but not later than 14 days from the date of a technical investigation of the vehicle. The study begins with the identification of a vehicle, that is verifying the data contained in the registration card of the vehicle with numbers marked by the manufac-turer. Then, the condition of the tires is checked, and their degree of utilization, the completeness and accuracy of the external light settings, effectiveness and efficiency of the braking system. Steering system, confidence of connections, steering play on the steering wheel are also assessed. The chassis and suspension system are also checked.
Wiring shall be the subject of control, including a connection to the trailer lighting desk. The cab, its fittings, and additional, obligatory and optional equipment of the vehicle are checked. The study usually ends with matters related to environmental protection, including checking the emis-sion of harmful components in exhaust gases and oil spills and fluids. Specialized studies are also performed on taxi cars, buses, and cars designed to carry passengers.
3.2. Division of the scope and kinds of performed technical tests of vehicles
Authorization and supervision of a vehicle inspection station is issued by a county mayor in-dicating the scope of its respective research. Vehicle inspection stations depending on the equip-ment and qualifications of diagnosticians examine the following vehicles:
A – motorcycles and mopeds;
B – motor vehicles with a maximum mass of 3.5 tons, excluding motorcycles and mopeds; C – motor vehicles with a weight above 3.5 tons to 16 tons, or;
D – buses with permissible total weight exceeding 3.5 t; T – tractors;
E – a trailer designed to connect to a motor vehicle for testing which station is authorized as listed in the permit on the left side of the letter E.
The producibility of carrying out the tests means the possibility of locating the external posi-tion for acoustic measurements and proper conduct of testing, the possibility of performing meas-urements of road, including the measurement of deceleration. Manoeuvring spaces and parking places should be prepared for traffic and parking the vehicles of the largest size included in the group of vehicles for testing for which the station is destined. Stations for testing vehicles over 3.5 tons of total maximum mass should be located not in areas of residence and urban centres, but in areas of a reduced traffic. The location of control stations shall not cause a noticeable increase in traffic, which could have a negative impact on the environment. Under the current rules, a control station should be separated from an enterprise carrying on other activities, with providing a direct driveway to it. It is unacceptable to treat control stations by investors as a structure designed primarily to serve their own rolling stock and allowing only limited number of vehicles to the premises where the station is located,. Vehicles waiting to enter the facility usually significantly impede traffic on roads in the immediate vicinity of the entry. Detailed technical requirements for
construction are determined by the legislator. Economic activity in a conduct vehicle inspection station is an activity regulated under the
provi-sions of Economic Freedom (Journal of Laws No. 173, poz.1807 and No. 281, pos. 2777 and of 2005 No. 33, pos. 289 and No. 94, pos. 788) of 2 July 2004 and needs to be entered in the register of enterprises engaged in vehicle inspection.
4. Conclusions
A vehicle inspection station is a key element in maintaining the airworthiness of vehicles by verification and safety assessment of vehicles involved in land traffic. The responsibility for the conduct of the technical examination lies on an employed active diagnostician, who, under prose-cution, makes appropriate entries in the documents of the vehicle or issues a certificate specifying the status of the technical examination. Close attention should be paid, however, to the fact that in order to make a vehicle receive a positive result of the technical examination, it must be properly serviced and maintained to airworthiness.
Without modern technology and diagnostic equipment in today's automotive world, all of it is impossible. The search for alternative fuels offers the possibility of implementation and production of fuel for the propulsion units of modern combustion engines. Fuel is an essential product in the operation of motor vehicles; therefore, an attempt was made to address this issue, including the doctoral dissertation.
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WYBRANE ASPEKTY BADAē STANU SILNIKA POJAZDU Streszczenie
W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badaĔ nowego paliwa silnika oraz wskazano waĪną role stacji kontroli pojazdów w utrzymaniu zdatnoĞci. Silnik jak i cały pojazd wymagają okresowych badaĔ stanu w aspekcie bezpieczeĔstwa, zagroĪeĔ Ğrodowiska i ryzyka eksploatacji. Są to zagadnienia formułowane i rozwiązywane w ramach pro-jektu POIG.
Słowa kluczowe: silnik spalinowy, komfort, bezpieczeĔstwo, kontrola stanu, diagnostyka
*This paper is a part of WND-POIG.01.03.01-00-212/09 project. Piotr Stanowski
Bogdan ĩółtowski
