Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Open Access Master's Report
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Advisor 1
Scott A. Miers
Committee Member 1
Brian J. Eggart
Committee Member 2
David M. Labyak
Committee Member 3
David D. Wanless
Abstract
As the world becomes increasingly conscientious of emissions from internal combustion engines, regulatory agencies are searching for a solution that will allow accurate in-field emissions data to be collected from many types of powersports and recreational vehicles. Currently, accurate in-field emissions data is extremely difficult to collect on many of these vehicles due to the size and weight of many portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS). Additionally, emissions measurement technologies used in many traditional PEMS are not adequate to use in a mini-PEMS due to packaging and safety constraints. To address these issues, Michigan Tech set out to develop a mini-PEMS that could provide accurate, reliable data, while removing the current limitations of in-field testing on powersports vehicles.
Key results of this work include the design and construction of a complete measurement system weighing approximately 24 lbs. and a battery runtime of approximately two hours. The mini-PEMS is capable of measuring unburned hydrocarbons (uHC), methane (CH4), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitric oxide (NO), and molecular oxygen (O2). Validation testing demonstrated strong agreement with laboratory-grade equipment, with errors of less than 10% measured on specific measurement channels depending on test and vehicle configuration. Data collected from both in-field and stationary dynamometer testing confirms the high reliability and potential accuracy of the Gen2.0 mini-PEMS.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Kurncz, Justin M., "DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MINIATURIZED PORTABLE EMISSIONS MEASUREMENT SYSTEM", Open Access Master's Report, Michigan Technological University, 2026.