AVL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Exhaust Measuring Equipment

AVL Smoke Meter 415SE

Driven by emission regulations for internal combustion engines, the measurement requirements
regarding resolution and accuracy are getting higher. For some applications, such as durability tests,
reliability and robustness are an important factor.
The measurement challenges of engines with exhaust aftertreatment systems are high pressures and
temperatures at the exhaust sampling position combined with high emission rates. Furthermore, engines
emit hardly any soot after a diesel particle filter which requires very low detection limits for particle
measurement equipment in addition.
Also the cost of ownership plays a crucial role. Short service times, learning how to operate the
instrument in a short time enabled by intuitive operation, easy integration in the test bed automation
system and remote maintenance options are important to minimize the operation costs and is fulfilled with
the AVL Smoke Meter.
The AVL SMOKE METER
The AVL Smoke Meter uses the filter paper method and measures the soot concentration of the exhaust
gas of diesel and GDI engines. The variable sampling volume and thermal exhaust conditioning assures a
wide applications range, e.g. measurements during engine development or DPF calibration.

Your Benefits At a Glance

High measurement resolution (0.001 FSN and 10g/m) and low detection limit (0.002 FSN
and 20g/m)
Timely paper change due to remaining filter paper indicator on the housing
Altitude measurements and altitude simulation up to a sea level of 5000 m
High reproducibility, improved cleaning efficiency and increased robustness against wet
exhaust gas due to shop air purging of the gas path option
Extended application area up to 3bars exhaust back pressure for engines with exhaust
aftertreatment systems - option
Remote-control service with intuitive user interface option

The AVL Smoke Meter has mainly been designed for two applications:
Soot concentration measurement before and after diesel particulate filters (DPF)
Combustion optimization regarding the soot emission of engine prototypes until start of series
production and after

AVL List GmbH Hans-List-Platz 1, A-8020 Graz, Austria

E-mail: info@avl.com, http://www.avl.com

AVL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Measurements on Diesel Particulate Filters

Particulate filters are commonly used in diesel engines. In order to determine their efficiency or
malfunctions, diesel exhaust is sampled before and after the DPF and analyzed. This measurement task
can be completed optimally only with one AVL Smoke Meter. The use of two sample lines enables the
switching between two different sampling points. On both lines, sampling volume and purge intensity can
be configured differently, depending on the expected soot emission before and after the DPF.
The measurement of exhaust gas at high back pressures and temperatures can be carried out in two
ways:
The special sampling option is used for exhaust back pressures up to 750 mbars and low pressures
down to -200 mbars relative to ambient pressure. Exhaust gas is sampled before the DPF and the
cleaned sample is returned to the DPF free from particulate.
The high-pressure option reduces exhaust back pressures of up to 3000 mbars relative to ambient
pressure. The pressure is reduced by over an orifice and the remaining exhaust gas is blown off.

Inside view of the AVL Smoke Meter 415SE with heater on the test bed
Measurements of High and Low Soot
Additional injections in exhaust aftertreatment systems clean and burn out the particulate filter which
often causes heavy contamination inside exhaust measurement equipment.
In order to prevent this, the AVL Smoke Meter can be equipped with a shop air purge option. It purges
the entire gas path with shop air from the inlet to the measurement block until back to the sample probe.
The higher pressure, compared to purging with the diaphragm pump, reduces particulate deposits in the
device and in the sample lines. In addition, to clean the device, the shop air purge ensures a higher
reproducibility of the measured values and reduces hangup effects.
Altitude Simulations and Altitude Measurements
The AVL Smoke Meter also enables altitude simulations using low pressure in the exhaust gas system or
measurements up to a sea level of 5000 m.
For low-pressure simulations the simulated pressure in the exhaust gas system can be entered via the
software while for real altitude measurements an integrated absolute pressure sensor is taking over this
task.
Operation and Automation
The AVL Smoke Meter is operated via the AVL Instrument Controller or an automation system. The
integration into the automation system occurs via AK, fully compatible with its predecessor.
Furthermore, the AVL Smoke Meter is optionally equipped with an AVL InPort, a PC control software,
which connects to an Ethernet interface and can be executed in Internet Explorer.
Additionally, it can also be controlled with the optionally available AVL InScreen (desktop PC with
touchscreen).

AVL List GmbH Hans-List-Platz 1, A-8020 Graz, Austria

E-mail: info@avl.com, http://www.avl.com

AVL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Remote Access
The device can be accessed by LAN via the Ethernet interface at any time, which enables remote
diagnostics, for example for parameterization or servicing in case of a failure.
Remaining Paper Indicator for Operational Safety
By default, the AVL Smoke Meter is equipped with a
remaining filter paper indicator on the housing. The LED
clearly visible from the outside and indicates the end of the
paper supply. So you can find out quick and easy whether
the paper roll should be replaced before a durability test
starts, for example. The remaining measurements can also
be queried numerically with AK commands on the test bed
PC.
Remaining Paper Indicator
Reducing Service Duration
The device is designed to have fast and easy access to important components. Plug-in pressure sensors
drastically reduce the service duration for necessary replacements.
The new PC software has a device fingerprint function which quickly delivers all device data and sensor
values which helps in case of a failure.
The device can be completely parameterized over the software. Furthermore, automatic option detection
enables the fast connection and removal of heated samples lines or other existing optional equipment.

MEASUREMENT PRINCIPLE
The AVL Smoke Meter uses the filter paper method to determine the soot concentration in the exhaust of
diesel and GDI engines.
A variable, but exactly defined sampling volume is
sampled from the engine exhaust pipe and passed
through clean filter paper inside the device. The filtered
soot causes blackening of the filter paper, which is
measured by a photoelectric measuring head and the
result is analyzed by a microprocessor. The value
determined value is the Filter Smoke Number (FSN). The
measurement of the AVL Smoke Meter has an excellent
repeatability and reproducibility due to the possible
manual or automatic adjustment of the sample volume.
The proper preselection of the sample volume enables
the measuring of low soot concentrations, e.g. on modern
GDI engines, as well as of high soot concentrations with
high exhaust back pressures and temperatures, e.g.
before a diesel particulate filter.
Exhaust Sampling Schematic

AVL List GmbH Hans-List-Platz 1, A-8020 Graz, Austria

E-mail: info@avl.com, http://www.avl.com

AVL PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Technical Data
Measurement principle:

Measurement of filter paper blackening

Measured value output:

FSN (filter smoke number) or mg/m (soot concentration)

Measurement range:

0 to 10 FSN

Detection limit:
Resolution:

0.002 FSN or ~ 0.02 mg/m

0.001 FSN or 0.01 mg/m
(-300*) -100 to 400 mbars
(-500*) -200 to 750 mbars with the special sampling option
0 to 3000mbars with the high-pressure option
(*) with activated altitude simulation
600 C with standard 340 mm sample probe (800 C with
780 mm long sample probe)

Exhaust pressure ranges:

Maximum exhaust temperature:
Interfaces:

Power supply:
Power consumption
Compressed air (for compressed air
option)
Compressed air quality required:

Weight:
Dimensions (w x h x d):
Sample flow:
Ambient conditions:
Repeatability:

2 serial RS232 interfaces with AK protocol

Digital via Instrument Controller 4210
1 Ethernet interface with InPort option installed with AK
protocol
100 115 VAC or 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
700 VA
~150l/min during purge
Grades 1.1.1 to 1.4.1 according to ISO 8573.1:2001(E)
Recommended connection pressure on the AVL Smoke
Meter: 5 to 8 bars at the measurement device input
<40 kg
560 x 620 x 300 mm
~ 10 l/min.
5 to 55 C / max.95 RH; without condensation
Sea level -500 to + 5000m
Standard deviation 1 (0.005 FSN + 3 % of the
measured value @ 10sec intake time)

Options and Accessories

Two-channel option for two-channel measurements

Heater option for heating base unit and sample line
Special sampling option for measurements at exhaust back pressures up to 750 mbars and low
pressures down to -200 mbars
High-pressure option for exhaust back pressures up to 3 bars
Shop air purge option
Sample lines of different lengths (heated and unheated)
Instrument Controller
InPort, PC software and TCP/IP connection
InScreen
Height-adjustable system carrier or wall-mounted frame
Volume tester for volume calibration
Reflectance standards for calibrating the optical measuring head

AVL List GmbH Hans-List-Platz 1, A-8020 Graz, Austria

E-mail: info@avl.com, http://www.avl.com