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Advanced Vehicles and Fuels Research ReFUEL Laboratory

  
ReFUEL Laboratory Home

About the Laboratory

Capabilities
Chassis Dynamometer
Emissions Analysis
Fuel Testing
Engine Testing

Working with Us
Industry Participants

Data and Resources


Engine Testing

Photo of researcher working on NREL's engine dynamometer.Engines are certified as meeting emission regulations by the manufacturer using an engine dynamometer. These protocols, known as the Heavy-Duty Federal Test Procedures (HD-FTP), are highly standardized, and results can be readily compared between laboratories. The ReFUEL Llab features an engine dynamometer test cell that performs the HD-FTP on engines up to 400 hp, so that advanced fuels can be evaluated in a way that is meaningful to the entire engine research community.

The engine test cell features advanced controls and data acquisition that allow custom tests to be established beyond the FTP. In combination with a combustion analyzer that records information about cylinder pressure and fuel injector valve position, the engine dynamometer can be used to determine the relationship between fuel properties, engine performance, and emissions.

To learn more about engine testing, visit the Data & Resources page.

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