Lambda Calculation from Exhaust Gas Measurements

Determining how close the A/F ratio is to the stoichiometric point using exhaust gas analysis.
Presented to East Bay ATA, Hayward, CA May 5, 2004 By: Robert J. Schrader President, Bridge Analyzers, Inc.

What is Lambda?
Lambda is Oxygen Balance
Oxygen available (Lambda) Combustibl es demand for Oxygen Lambda is the ratio of O2 available to the Combustion Process vs the Combustible Demand for O2 to attain complete oxidation. Lamdba is equal to 1.000 when O2 and Combustible Demand for O2 are in balance - the perfectstoichometric point.

Why is Lambda Important?

Lambda control is necessary for peak combustion efficiency in the Engine. Lambda control is necessary for peak CAT efficiency. Lambda Control Improves Reliability, Fuel Economy and Lowers Emissions.

Combustion Efficiency (CE)

Engine out CE for Gasoline Fuel is no better than 95%.
Tailpipe-out CE for CAT equipped vehicles improves to 99.0-99.5%.
Factor of 10 improvement Required for Current Emission Standards CAT CE is very Lambda-Dependent

Engine-Out Gas Values

16.00 15.50 15.00 14.50

% Concentration

14.00 CO2 - Ca rbon Diox ide 13.50

13.00

12.50

12.00

11.50

11.00 0.90

0.91

0.92

0.93

0.94

0.95

0.96

0.97

0.98

0.99

1.00

1.01

1.02

1.03

1.04

1.05

1.06

1.07

1.08

1.09

1.10

4.00

La mbda

3.50

3.00

2.50

% Concentration

2.00 CO - Ca rbon Monox ide 1.50

1.00

O2 - Ox yge n

0.50 H2 - Hydroge n

0.00 0.90

0.91

0.92

0.93

0.94

0.95

0.96

0.97

0.98

0.99

1.00 La mbda

1.01

1.02

1.03

1.04

1.05

1.06

1.07

1.08

1.09

1.10

CAT Oxidation and Reduction Efficiency vs Lambda

100% 90% 80%

70%

60%

Reduction Efficiency

50% Oxidation Efficiency 40%

30%

20%

10%

0% 0.950

0.960

0.970

0.980

0.990

1.000

1.010

1.020

1.030

1.040

1.050

CAT Out Gases

0.50 1000 0.45 900 0.40 800

0.35

700

0.30

600

0.25 CO - Carbon Monoxide 0.20

500

400

0.15 NOx - Oxides of Nitrogen 0.10 H2 - Hydrogen 0.05

300

200

100

0.00 0.950 0.960 0.970 0.980 0.990 1.000 1.010 1.020 1.030 1.040 1.050

3-Way CAT vs Lambda

NOx Reduction Bed
Requires Lambda to be not greater than 1.020.

CO/HC Oxidation Bed

Requires Lambda to be not less than 0.980.

Modulation Depth
Cycles Rich and Lean Between the Limits Above.

Brettschneider Equation - a balance equation that calculates Lambda

Oxygen available (Lambda) Combustibl e demand for Oxygen Lambda is calculated as the ratio of Oxygen available (as O2) to the combustibl e demand for O2 to attain complete oxidation. Lambda is equal to 1.000 when O2 and Combustible demand are in balance - the perfectstoichometric point.

Calculating A/F Ratio from Lambda

Lambda = 1.000 when the Oxygen available and Combustible Oxygen demands are in balance.

This is the point of perfect stoichometric balance.

At this point the A/F ratio is 14.71 to 1.00 for Gasoline.

Thus, A/F = 14.71 x Lambda

Sensitivity to Combustion Efficiency

(Pre CAT vs Post CAT)
Brettschneider Lambda uses all the oxygenbearing and combustible-bearing gases. Balance Equation - Calculation not affected by the degree of oxidation. Method is insensitive to combustion efficiency. Either Pre-CAT or Post-CAT gases may be used.

Lambda for Emissions Control

= 1.000 when Oxygen available and Combustible demands are in balance. ECM controls =1.000 at 0.5-1.0 Cycles/Sec using lambda sensor input. 3-Way CAT operation requires 0.980 to 1.020 Lambda can be confirmed by exhaust gas measurement, either pre or post CAT.

Lambda for Fuel Control Diagnostics

calculated from exhaust gas indicates air-fuel mixture independent of the engine controls. calculated from exhaust gas indicates air-fuel mixture independent of combustion efficiency. Cold (Open Loop) vs Hot (Closed Loop) vs CAT light-off operation can be evaluated. can be used to tune systems which do not have closed-loop control.

Qualifying EGA gas tightness prior to Lambda Calculation

High Combustion Efficiency: Measure O2 post CAT - every 5% air leak adds 1.0% O2 to gases.

Low Combustion Efficiency: Add CO and CO2 - should equal 15% for Gasoline.
Compare both Methods. If O2 indicates air dilution - then confirm this with low CO and CO2 sum. They should agree.

iATN Lambda Calculator

Created by iATN Tech Support staff, and available to iATN members on-line at http://members.iatn.net/tech/lambda.html Plug and Play either 4 or 5 gas values. Can select either US or European gasoline constants. Operates in Java - can be saved and run off-line by any Java-equipped net browser.

Bridge Excel Worksheet

Available as email attached Excel file by contacting: support@bridgeanalyzers.com Plug and Play either 4 or 5 gas values. Can select either US or European gasoline constants. Operates on any PC with Excel - can be saved and run off-line using Microsoft Excel.

iPaq Palm Computer Worksheet

Written by Miles Wada using the Brettschneider equation - ala Bridge. Available for download at: http://www.aeswave.com/ Operates on the iPaq using CE Excel. Can operate on other CE-based units.

Palm Computer Worksheet in Excel.

Written by Greg Meyer using the Brettschneider equation - ala Bridge. Available from Greg via email at:

gsmeyer@attbi.com
Operates on Palm OS computers in Excel.

A/F Ratio From Lambda

A/F = 14.71 x Lambda