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In the effort to design reliable diesel engines which meet the strict US Federal Regulations for emissions, considerable progress has been made by engine manufacturers. Particulate emissions are now below 0.25 g/BHPh and after 1994 will be below 0.1 g/BHPh. Diesel fuel has a revised specification limit of 0.05% sulfur as a means to assist diesel engine manufacturers in complying with the 1994 standard. Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) have been chosen as another means. A DOC can efficiently oxidize soluble organic particulate matter (SOF) and gaseous hydrocarbons while easily oxidizing SO2 to SO3-the latter being a particulate and undesirable. Selective DOCs have been developed which maintain the activity for SOF and minimize the undesirable SO2 oxidation step. However, performance for gaseous hydrocarbons may be negatively affected.

Environmental concerns and regulations have stimulated the study of applying catalytic emission control to 4-stroke air cooled utility engines of less than 25 Hp. These engines require air/fuel mixtures considerably richer than those of automotive engines, entailing different catalytic solutions. In addition, small utility engines are subjected to a variety of unique operating modes. Factors discussed for this new catalyst system application are space velocity, temperature, test cycle, operating modes, lube oil consumption, engine control systems, engine life, and operating efficiency as well as other factors unique to this engine. An unexpected effect of this catalyst application, after-ignition of unburned exhaust components in a classical diffusion flame, is also discussed. It appears that catalytic emission control of small 4-stroke utility engines can be effective.