Detailed Characterization of Particulates Emitted by Future High-Efficiency Vehicles
EMSL Project ID
48410
Abstract
Current engine development aims to reduce consumption of limited fuel resources and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by increasing fuel efficiency. Advanced low temperature combustion technologies currently under development offer the potential to dramatically increase the fuel efficiency of engines which run on gasoline and similar fuel blends. Technologies such as Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) and Gasoline Direct Injection Compression ignition (GDICI) will blur the lines that have traditionally existed between gasoline and the more efficient diesel engines. These complex strategies will likely lead to broad range of particulate emission characteristics. At present our knowledge on the subject is very limited because studies providing detailed characterizations of particulate emission from these new engines are very sparse. Our recent studies point to significant differences between properties of diesel particles and particles generated by SIDI engines, which will require adaptation of existing after-treatment technologies used to reduce particulate emissions and their detrimental environmental and climatic impact.Moreover, regulation of engine particulate emissions in Europe is moving from mass-based to number-based standards. Due to growing understanding of the health and climate effects of ultrafine anthropogenic aerosols, tighter restrictions on particulate emission will also eventually be applied in the United States. Experience thus far indicates that current and future SIDI engines will likely require the development of new filtration approaches to meet the proposed limits.
The objective of this project is to comprehensively map the physical and chemical characteristics of particulates emitted by new high-efficiency engine technologies and promote the development of suitable mitigation strategies. Investigations will focus on particulate properties relevant to filtration and environmental/climactic impacts, including size, composition, morphology, fractal dimension, mass, effective density, primary spherule diameter, void fraction, number of spherules and surface area as function agglomerate size. Unique analytical capabilities provided through EMSL, including SPLAT II, are vital to this effort. Approaches proven recently through application to research engines and laboratory-generated soot particles will be used to further probe the phenomena involved in particulate formation and to examine the particulate populations that can penetrate exhaust filters to be emitted into the atmosphere. Advanced particulate characterization analyses will complement rigorous filtration experiments, aimed at accelerating the development of appropriate exhaust treatment systems for next-generation engines. Sub-grid and detailed micro-scale computer models will be developed to guide filtration experiments and generalize knowledge gained.
Proposed experiments will include detailed examination of the particulates which penetrate various candidate filter materials. Better data on filtration efficiency as a function of particle size and shape will be used to improve modeling tools. Composition data for penetrating particulates obtained using SPLAT II may also clarify the relative efficacy of filters in removing fractal soot, condensed organics, and inorganic particles associated with lube oil and engine wear. Previous studies spanning a variety of ethanol fuel blends will be extended to include pre-mixed and pre-vaporized fueling conditions, in addition to direct injection, under otherwise similar conditions. This will isolate the role of in-cylinder evaporation and mixing in particulate formation from the effects of fuel chemistry.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2014-10-01
End Date
2016-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
Related Publications
Gong J, ML Stewart, A Zelenyuk-Imre, A Strzelec, S Viswanathan, D Rothamer, DE Foster, and CJ Rutland. 2018. "Importance of Filter’s Microstructure in Dynamic Filtration Modeling of Gasoline Particulate Filters (GPFs): Inhomogeneous Porosity and Pore Size Distribution." Chemical Engineering Journal 338:15-26. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2018.01.006
Viswanathan S., D. Rothamer, A. Zelenyuk-Imre, M.L. Stewart, and D.M. Bell. 2017. "Experimental investigation of the effect of inlet particle properties on the capture efficiency in an exhaust particulate filter." Journal of Aerosol Science 113. PNNL-SA-124101. doi:10.1016/j.jaerosci.2017.08.002
Zelenyuk A, JM Wilson, DG Imre, ML Stewart, GG Muntean, J Storey, V Prikhodko, ST Lewis, M Eibl, and JE Parks. 2017. "Detailed Characterization of Particulate Matter Emitted by Lean-Burn Gasoline Direct Injection Engine." International Journal of Engine Research 18(5-6):560-572. doi:10.1177/1468087416675708
Zelenyuk A, P Reitz, ML Stewart, D Imre, P Loeper, C Adams, M Andrie, D Rothamer, DE Foster, K Narayanaswamy, PM Najt, and AS Solomon. 2014. "Detailed Characterization of Particulates Emitted by Pre-Commercial Single-Cylinder Gasoline Compression Ignition Engine." Combustion and Flame 161(8):2151-2164. doi:10.1016/j.combustflame.2014.01.011