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JCAPII gasoline workgroup reported vehicle emission study to comprehend the impact of ETBE blending. In previous study, we focused on the compatibility of ETBE blended gasoline with Japanese current gasoline vehicles in-use. Based on recent discussion with ETBE 8% blended gasoline into the market, more information becomes necessary. In this second report, we studied to comprehend the actual emission impact using realistic model fuels using several base stocks. Fuel properties of T50, T90 and aromatic compound content were selected through discussions. Specifications were changed within the range of the market. Both ETBE 0% and 8% were combined for these fuel matrixes. In total, eight fuels and two reference fuels were tested. Two J-ULEV vehicles (one MPI, and a stoichiometric-SIDI) were procured as representatives. We discussed quantitative and qualitative impact toward emissions. Data regarding CO2 and fuel economy change were also reported.

Clarifying the impact of ETBE 8% blended fuel on current Japanese gasoline vehicles, under the Japan Clean Air Program II (JCAPII) we conducted exhaust emission tests, evaporative emission tests, durability tests on the exhaust after-treatment system, cold starting tests, and material immersion tests. ETBE 17% blended fuel was also investigated as a reference. The regulated exhaust emissions (CO, HC, and NOx) didn't increase with any increase of ETBE content in the fuel. In durability tests, no noticeable increase of exhaust emission after 40,000km was observed. In evaporative emissions tests, HSL (Hot Soak Loss) and DBL (Diurnal Breathing Loss) didn't increase. In cold starting tests, duration of cranking using ETBE 8% fuel was similar to that of ETBE 0%. In the material immersion tests, no influence of ETBE on these material properties was observed.

Emission regulations for diesel-powered vehicles have been gradually tightening. Installation of after-treatment devices such as diesel particulate filters (DPF), NOx storage reduction (NSR) catalysts, and so on is indispensable to satisfy rigorous limits of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Japan Clean Air Program II Oil Working Group (JCAPII Oil WG) has been investigating the effect of engine oil on advanced diesel after-treatment devices. First of all, we researched the impact of oil-derived ash on continuous regeneration-type diesel particulate filter (CR-DPF), and already reported that the less sulfated ash in oil gave rise to lower pressure drop across CR-DPF [1]. In this paper, impact of oil-derived sulfur and phosphorus on NSR catalyst was investigated using a 4L direct injection common-rail diesel engine with turbo-intercooler. This engine equipped with NSR catalyst meets the Japanese new short-term emission regulations.

Diesel Particulate active Reduction system (DPR) is a system that traps particulate matter in diesel exhaust gas with a particulate filter and actively regenerates the filter when PM accumulates to a specific level. In 2003, DPR was installed on Hino's light-, medium-, and heavy-duty diesel engines, and about 50,000 units of these DPR-equipped diesel engines are currently on the market. This paper reports results of further progress made on optimization of the active regeneration function of DPR. The goal of successful development of DPR is to optimally control the system under various engine-operating conditions to regenerate the filter without producing abnormal combustion of PM and to minimize the amount of unburned PM to keep the filter from clogging. To improve the control of DPR, the combustion phenomena of PM collecting on the filter were studied through visualization, and the factors influencing combustion were determined.

The joint research on fuel and vehicle technology influence on emissions is being conducted in the Japan Clean Air Program (JCAP). JCAP program aims to clarify the fuel influence on emissions with the conventional and advanced vehicle technologies such as lean burn and direct injection. The gasoline working group of JCAP investigated the effect of combination of vehicle technologies and various fuel components (such as sulfur and aromatics). The program consists of two parts, Step l and Step ll. This paper describes the result of the Step I program on the Japanese 10-15 mode and 11-mode on 19 vehicles including motorcycles. An emission decrease with sulfur content reduction was confirmed by most of the test vehicles. This was more significant on the lean burn engines and direct fuel injection engines with a NOx storage-reduction type catalyst emission control system. The sulfur effect was also found for the early light off catalyst system in the cold mode (11-mode).

Evaporative emissions of Japanese older and current vehicles (1990-1998MY) and U.S. current vehicles, which were adapted to federal regulations in 1996, were investigated using typical Japanese gasoline. Japanese older and current vehicles exhibited high levels of Running Loss (RL), Hot Soak Loss (HSL) and Diurnal Breathing Loss (DBL), and their emissions showed strong Reid vapor pressure (RVP) dependence. On the other hand, U.S. vehicles showed very weak RVP dependence, between 62kPa and 76kPa. Their emissions also showed very low levels of RL, HSL and DBL. These results suggest RVP reduction is just effective for Japanese older and current vehicles. Evaporative emissions of Japanese and U.S. vehicles were also tested according to a new Japanese test procedure and the 35 degrees centigrade RL test procedure. In the case of the RL and DBL tests, the impact of test conditions on evaporative emissions was discussed as well.

In spite of the efforts of related industries, the air pollution situation particularly in urban areas of Japan is not satisfactory. It has been shown that air pollution is caused mainly by increased automotive traffic and increased penetration of diesel vehicles. Air-quality problems will become much more complicated and more severe in the future with increased emphasis on reducing air pollution and global warming. These situation will require continuous reduction of automobile emissions. In order to obtain cleaner exhaust emissions, cooperative studies between vehicle and fuel technologies are considered to be essential, and AQIRP in the United States and Auto/oil Program in Europe were already conducted to develop the best combination of measures for air pollution improvement. In 1996, Japan Clean Air Program (JCAP) was launched by Petroleum Energy Center (PEC) in cooperation with the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

We conducted a study of the effects of engine technology and fuel properties on diesel exhaust gas emissions. The effect of fuel properties on exhaust gas emissions was examined using four D.I. diesel engines equipped with an oxidation catalyst, high-pressure injection, turbocharger and natural aspiration fuel charging. In addition, oxidation catalysts were installed on the two turbocharged (T/C) and natural aspirated (N/A) engines to examine their effects on reducing exhaust emissions. As a result, it was found that the installation of oxidation catalyst clearly had an effect on reducing the levels of hydrocarbons (THC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM). The high-pressure injection engine was found to have a low level of PM and not be affected by the type of fuel. It was clearly shown that engine technology has a greater effect on reducing exhaust emissions than fuel properties.

The ceramic gas turbine has high potential as an automotive engine in the future, because of its multifuel capability, good thermal efficiency and low exhaust emissions. The Petroleum Energy Center (PEC) has been developing a 100kW ceramic gas turbine (CGT) under the auspices of MITI in Japan. A 7 year program was started in 1990 and, after the interim target was attained, the program moved to engine testing. At the same time, a study on vehicle applications of CGT has been made in order to make full use of the superiority of CGT from the standpoint of energy usage and protecting the environment. In this study, CGT/BATTERY hybrid systems were investigated, mainly from the standpoint of fuel economy.