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The fatty acid methyl esters (FAME's) - in Europe mostly RME (Rapeseed methyl ester) - are used in several countries as alternative biogene Diesel fuels in various blending ratios with fossil fuels (Bxx). Questions often arise about the influences of these biocomponents on the modern exhaust aftertreatment systems and especially on the regeneration of Diesel particle filters (DPF). In the present work different regeneration procedures of DPF systems were investigated with biofuels B0, B20 & B100. The tested regeneration procedures were: passive regenerations: DOC + CSF; CSF alone, active regenerations: standstill burner; fuel injections & DOC. During each regeneration on-line measurements of regulated and unregulated emission components (nanoparticles & FTIR) were conducted. It can be stated that the increased portion of RME in fuel provokes longer time periods to charge the filter with soot.

During the VERT *) testing of different DPF systems it was remarked, that the oxidation catalyst converts sometimes a big part of NO to NO2, producing on the one hand a more toxic composition of the exhaust gases and causing on the other hand measuring artefacts, which tend to underestimate of NO2 and NOx by the cold NOx - measurement. The present work summarizes the experiences in this matter elaborated at the Laboratories for IC-Engines & Exhaust Emissions Control (AFHB) of the University of Applied Sciences Biel-Bienne, Switzerland, during several VERT activities and didactic projects on engine and chassis dynamometers in the years 2000-2006.

Advances in emission control technologies have demanded development of new ceramic chemistries and improved microstructures in catalytic substrates and especially in diesel particulate filters. High porosity filters are desirable, as they decrease engine backpressure and enable application of advanced catalysts including, but not limited to, multi-functional filters (MFF). A significant recent development has been in the use of ceramic fibers to create cross-linked microstructures in extruded honeycomb ceramics. This development allows high porosities to be attained while maintaining mechanical strength. However, according to the World Health Organization, certain classes of ceramic fibers are considered to have adverse health effects if released in air and inhaled.

Different Diesel Particle Filters (DPF)*) were tested on a 2-Stroke Detroit-Diesel bus engine 6V 92 TA. The investigations focused on soot burden and regeneration of the DPF with special filter materials. Also examined was promoting the regeneration by: throttling, additive (FBC), oxidation catalytic converter upstream of DPF and the catalytic coating of the filter material. The metrics were the particulate matter emission, its composition and the nanoparticles. The most important results are: The average SOF content in the engine exhaust particulate matter is 77.6 % and the majority of it is emitted as bigger droplets The wire-mesh filter catalyst (WFC) - a novel emission reduction technology -substantially curtails the SOF and PM. WFC traps and oxidizes the oil droplets and produces a “dry” soot. This can be very advantageous for the DPF downstream of WFC. (WFC can be also very interesting for 2-S gasoline engines).

The most efficient way and the best available technology (BAT) to radically reduce the critical diesel emission components particles (PM&NP) and nitric oxides (NOx) are combined exhaust gas aftertreatment systems (DPF+SCR). SCR (selective catalytic reduction) is regarded as the most efficient deNOx-system, diesel particle filters are most efficient for soot abatement. Today, several suppliers offer combined systems for retrofitting of HD vehicles. The presented results are part of the work in the international network project VERT *) dePN (de-activation, de-contamination, disposal of particles and NOx), which has the objectives to establish test procedures and quality standards and to introduce the SCR-, or combined DPF+SCR-systems in the VERT verification procedure.

NO₂ is much more toxic than NO. The average proportion of NO₂ in exhaust gases of vehicles increases significantly due to the use of oxidation catalysts and catalytic coatings in the exhaust gas systems during the last decades combined with generalization of using low sulfur fuels. Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) and Pt-containing DPF coatings are widely used to support the regeneration of particle filters, being a source of strongly increased production of NO₂. The present work shows some examples and summarizes the experiences in this matter performed at the Laboratories for IC-Engines & Exhaust Emissions Control (AFHB) of the University of Applied Sciences Biel-Bienne, Switzerland, during some research activities on engine dynamometers in the years 2010-2012.

By using diesel engines with high torque and instant response as offered by those with a suitable supercharging system, it proves possible to shift the average operating point close to the engine efficiency optimum. Computer analysis confirmed by chassis dynamometer tests of two car sizes equipped with Comprex charged IDI engines show a potential improvement in fuel economy of 19 - 26%. Comparison is made with a NA engine having equivalent road performance as defined by the acceleration rate.

From a comparison of different methods of supercharging it becomes evident that the pressure-wave-supercharger is a highly efficient device of improving fuel economy of automobiles without loss of performance. Tests on a chassis-dynamometer and computer simulations show that it is possible to save up to 25 % of fuel and at the same time to reduce the emissions of exhaust gases considerably by “Down-Sizing” and “Down-Speeding”.

The main components of vehicle diesel engine emissions are nitrogen oxides and particulates. The emissions concept adopted for pressure-wave supercharging with controlled EGR and particulate trap, focuses on both components. In conjunction with electronic EGR-control the spontaneous response of the supercharger achieves minimum deviations from optimum air excess values, even during transients. In the US city cycle an NOx reduction to 35 % of the reference emission, without sacrificing fuel economy was established. Featuring a particulate trap arranged between engine and supercharger this system increases the regeneration probability and as a result of the improved supercharsinp, efficiency achieves satisfactory transient behavior, Catalytic coating of the rotor constitutes an additional means of reducing emissions.

The Comprex is the first pressure wave machine to reach series maturity. The direct contact between the media exhaust gas and combustion air permits a transfer of energy at high efficiency. Because of its basic characteristics, the pressure wave machine is especially well suited for the supercharging of passenger car diesel engines. It exhibits a spontaneous response and achieves high supercharging rates over a wide operation range, thereby contributing to an improvement in fuel economy. For the purpose of reducing emissions, it offers a simple means of providing EGR, thermal conditioning of the charge air, catalytic aftertreatment of the exhaust gas in the cell wheel and a compact particulate trap arrangement.

An independent periodical technical inspection (PTI)*) of vehicles is proposed in the last time as a better prevention against increased emissions of the fleet. Several projects focused on the Diesel vehicles (HD & LD) and on the functionality of the exhaust aftertreatment systems as a key element for lowering emissions of a vehicle or machine. The present paper summarizes the results obtained on 3 modern passenger cars Euro 6b (with EGR, DOC, DPF & SCR) during load jumps, representing the heat-up or cool-down behaviour of the exhaust system. The portable devices for PTI were tested together with the stationary measuring systems of the engine laboratory. In the second part of the report, the present knowledge and proposals of supplementary test procedures (like IUC or PTI) were shortly described.

The combined exhaust gas aftertreatment systems (DPF+SCR) are the most efficient way and the best available technology (BAT) to radically reduce the critical Diesel emission components particles (PM&NP) and nitric oxides (NOx). SCR (selective catalytic reduction) is regarded as the most efficient deNOx-system, diesel particle filters are most efficient for soot abatement. Today, several suppliers offer combined systems for retrofitting of HD vehicles. Quality standards for those quite complex systems and especially for retrofit systems are needed to enable decisions of several authorities and to estimate the potentials of improvements of the air quality in highly populated agglomerations. The present paper informs about the VERTdePN *) quality test procedures, which were developed in an international network project with the same name 2007-2011 (VERT … Verification of Emission Reduction Technologies; dePN … decontamination, disposal of PM / NP and of NOx).

The selective catalytic reduction SCR is extensively used for NOx reduction of recent HD-vehicles. There are some manufacturers and some applications of SCR as retrofit systems (mostly for the low emission zones LEZ and in combination with a DPF). In charge of Swiss authorities AFHB investigated several SCR-systems, or (DPF+SCR)-systems on HD-vehicles and proposed a simplified quality test procedure of those systems. This procedure can especially be useful for the admission of retrofit systems but it can also be helpful for the quality check of OEM-systems. The project name was TeVeNOx - Testing of Vehicles with NOx reduction systems. In the present paper the test procedures will be described and some specific results will be discussed.

Diesel exhaust gas aftertreatment systems, which include the selective catalytic reduction (SCR)*) for reduction of NOx are necessary to fulfil the latest legal requirements and are extensively used in the heavy duty (HD) sector. The present paper informs about some results obtained with SCR and with SDPF (a DPF with SCR-coating) on a medium duty research engine Iveco F1C. Beside the limited gaseous emission components NH3, NO2 and N2O were measured. The analysis of nanoparticle emissions was performed with SMPS and CPC. The integration of functions of filtration and NOx-reduction in one element of exhaust aftertreatment system offers several advantages and is widely investigated and considered as a market solution.