- M David Checkel, Professor Emeritus
- Retired from teaching in 2010
- BSc (Alberta)
- PhD (Cambridge)
- Phone: (780) 619-4606
- FAX: (780) 492-2200
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Dave.Checkel@ualberta.ca
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Key words: combustion, alternative fuels, vehicles, hybrid, electric, LCA
My work is centred on combustion, the use of alternative fuels, the pollutants produced by
combustion equipment and life cycle analysis of energy systems.
As a member of the Combustion and Environment Group, I work closely with several Mec Eng
staff members, (particularly Olfert,
Koch and
Kostiuk). We develop joint research projects
and facilities, jointly supervise graduate students, and share equipment and support staff.
I also collaborate with Prof. Hayes in Chem E and
outside the University of Alberta, I have
close collaborations with Auto21,
U. Toronto (Thompson),
U. Windsor, (Sobiesiak, Ting, Zheng),
Ecoly Polytechnique, (Bertrand)
and U. Waterloo, (Epling).
I have been involved with several vehicle development projects including
student projects such as Hybrid Car, Formula SAE, FutureTruck or Solar Car as
well as industrial projects. In developing alternative-fuelled vehicles and specialized
test programs, we have built up a vehicle dynamic modelling capability and a vehicle
test and data acquisition capability for dynamometer and on-road testing. We now use the
models and test results to simulate in-use operation and to predict vehicle capability,
emissions and fuel consumption.
Outside the university, I act as a director for
Alternative Fuel Systems (2004) Inc.
I am involved in various
motorsports activities and work with the
Juving Nepal Development Society.
1. Auto21 D301-DHC Flexible Operation of HCCI using Intelligent Control
This project examines the capability to control HCCI operation and mode shifts using control
of valve timing as well as fuel ignition quality. Collaborators include Koch, Chen, Saif, Sobesiak,
Thomson and Zheng.
2. Auto21 D305-DCC Development of Advanced Design Tools for Catalytic Converters
Development of optimized catalytic converter technologies for lean burn engines,
diesel engines and high EGR engines. Working with Prof.
Bob Hayes,
Chemical Engineering.
3. Emissions measurement and modelling of vehicles in traffic.
Measurements of in-use emissions for vehicles running in traffic under various conditions.
Development of emissions models to realistically simulate emissions of gasoline, diesel
and alternative-fuelled vehicles in traffic. Models can be used for inventories and
pollution reduction through traffic control planning.
4. Development and testing of automotive leak detection systems
Improved leak detection systems help to efficiently detect problems with evaporative
emission control systems while also protecting users and the environment from exposure
to fuel vapour and fire/explosion hazards.
There are many technical considerations
some of which are covered in more detail in:
5. Life cycle assessment of energy and environmental impacts of alternative fuels.
Development of methods to quantify and reduce uncertainty in life cycle assessment,
particularly for innovative fuels and energy systems. Application to optimizing
design of alternative fuel and energy projects.
6. In-Use comparison of hybrid, diesel and electric trolley transit buses for Edmonton.
A one-year study of operating performance, cost, consumption and emissions for 13 buses
covering 7 different technologies on the streets of Edmonton.