6.4.6 Test cycles
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - NOx Technical Code (2008) - Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines - Chapter 6 - Procedures for demonstrating compliance with NOx emission limits on board - 6.4 Direct measurement and monitoring method - 6.4.6 Test cycles

6.4.6 Test cycles

  6.4.6.1 Engine operation on board under a specified test cycle may not always be possible, but the test procedure, as approved by the Administration, shall be as close as possible to the procedure defined in 3.2. Therefore, values measured in this case may not be directly comparable with test-bed results because measured values are very much dependant on the test cycle.

  6.4.6.2 In the case of the E3 test cycle, if the actual propeller curve differs from the E3 curve, the load point used shall be set using the engine speed, or the corresponding mean effective pressure (MEP) or mean indicated pressure (MIP), given for the relevant mode of that cycle.

  6.4.6.3 Where the number of measuring points on board is different from those on the test bed, the number of measurement points and the associated revised weighting factors shall be approved by the Administration.

  6.4.6.4 Further to 6.4.6.3 where the E2, E3 or D2 test cycles are applied, a minimum of load points shall be used of which the combined nominal weighting factor, as given in 3.2, is greater than 0.50.

  6.4.6.5 Further to 6.4.6.3 where the C1 test cycle is applied, a minimum of one load point shall be used from each of the rated, intermediate and idle speed sections. If the number of measuring points on board is different from those on the test bed, the nominal weighting factors at each load point shall be increased proportionally in order to sum to unity (1.0).

  6.4.6.6 With regard to the application of 6.4.6.3, guidance in respect of the selection of load points and revised weighting factors is given in section 6 of appendix 8 of this Code.

  6.4.6.7 The actual load points used to demonstrate compliance shall be within ± 5% of the rated power at the modal point except in the case of 100% load, where the range shall be +0 to –10%. For example, at the 75% load point the acceptable range shall be 70% – 80% of rated power.

  6.4.6.8 At each selected load point, except idle, and after the initial transition period (if applicable), the engine power shall be maintained at the load set point within a 5% coefficient of variance (%C.O.V.) over a 10-minute interval. A worked example of the coefficient of variance calculation is given in section 7 of appendix 8 of this Code.

  6.4.6.9 Regarding the C1 test cycle, the idle speed tolerance shall be declared, subject to the approval of the Administration.


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