Overview
ISO/TS 17536-3:2014 - "Road vehicles - Aerosol separator performance test for internal combustion engines - Part 3: Method to perform engine gravimetric test" specifies a standardized, repeatable engine gravimetric test for evaluating blowby oil aerosol separators on internal combustion engines. The Technical Specification covers how to measure gravimetric separation efficiency and system pressure behavior in both open and closed crankcase ventilation systems. Note: filter life and legal conformity are outside the scope.
Key topics and requirements
- Purpose: Determine gravimetric separation efficiency by measuring mass changes on the separator, downstream components and an absolute filter during engine operation.
- Test materials: Document engine oil type, viscosity, surface tension, oil level and run time; measure aerosol by volumetric flow and report droplet size distribution if available.
- Measurements recorded: Volumetric flow, oil temperature, blowby temperature, absolute pressure, differential (crankcase) pressure, humidity, engine RPM and torque. Record parameters every 10 minutes.
- Test equipment & setup: Engine-based aerosol generation or, if necessary, compressed air/blower to achieve required flow. Key components include an absolute filter, wall flow trap, piezometer matching separator outlet cross-section, flow meters, differential-pressure device and downstream pump/blower when downstream pressure drop >100 Pa.
- Weighing procedure: Pre- and post-test weighing of the unit under test, absolute filter, wall flow trap and drainage vessel to calculate captured mass. A mass increase >0.5 g improves test reliability.
- Data & calculations: Calculate aerosol efficiency and penetration per formulae referenced in ISO 17536-1. Report results using the Annex A gravimetric test report format.
- Test integrity: Seal joints to prevent leakage, orient unit as in service, ground apparatus to prevent static effects, and compensate measured differential pressure for downstream tubing and traps.
Applications and who uses it
- Automotive OEMs and powertrain engineers validating crankcase ventilation and aerosol separator designs.
- Component suppliers developing or benchmarking oil mist separators, breather filters and integrated crankcase ventilation systems.
- Test laboratories performing engine-based filtration efficiency testing and system pressure characterization.
- R&D teams assessing aerosol capture performance prior to durability or legislative testing (since legal compliance is not covered here).
Related standards
- ISO 17536-1 (General) - normative reference for terms, accuracy and formulas
- ISO 5011 - inlet air cleaning performance testing
- ISO 12500 series - oil aerosol/particulate test methods
- ISO 80000-1 - quantities and units
Keywords: ISO/TS 17536-3:2014, aerosol separator, gravimetric test, blowby oil aerosol, crankcase ventilation, separation efficiency, engine test, absolute filter, wall flow trap.