Search Results

The focus of this work was the physical characterization of exhaust aerosol from the University of Minnesota Formula SAE team's engine. This was done using two competition fuels, 100 octane race fuel and E85. Three engine conditions were evaluated: 6000 RPM 75% throttle, 8000 RPM 50% throttle, and 8000 RPM 100% throttle. Dilute emissions were characterized using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). E85 fuel produced more power and had lower particulate matter emissions at all test conditions, but more fuel was consumed.

Diesel exhaust aerosol particle size measurements have been made by three techniques and compared. The techniques used were based on electrical mobility, diffusion, and inertial separation. The instruments used were a Thermo Systems Incorporated (TSI) Model 3030 Electrical Aerosol Analyzer, TSI Model 3040 diffusion battery in conjuction with a TSI Model 3020 Condensation Nucleus Counter, and a Univeristy of Minnesota micro-orifice impactor (0.1 μm cut size). Particle samples were also examined by electron microscopy and volatile fractions were determined by vacuum sublimation. Measurements were made on two engines, one direct injection and one indirect injection swirl chamber. Engine operating conditions were chosen to give a wide range of exhaust particle characteristics. The size measurements agreed well in the regions of instrument overlap. Measured number mean diameters varied from 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm.