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Turbocharging, in addition to increasing an engine's power output, can be effectively used to maintain exhaust emission levels while improving fuel economy. This paper presents the emission and performance results obtained from a turbocharged multicylinder spark ignition engine with thermal reactors and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) operated at steady-state, part-load conditions for four engine speeds. When comparing a turbocharged engine to a larger displacement naturally aspirated engine of equal power output, the emissions expressed in grams per mile were relatively unchanged both with and without EGR. However, turbocharging provided an average of 20% improvement in fuel economy both with and without EGR. When comparing the turbocharged and nonturbocharged versions of the same engine without EGR at a given load and speed, turbocharging increased the hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and decreased oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions.

Automotive exhaust emissions of polynuclear aromatic (C16+) hydrocarbons (PNA) were reduced by 65-70% by current emissions control systems and by about 99% by two experimental advanced emission control systems. At a given level of emission control, PNA emission was primarily controlled by fuel PNA content through the transient storage of PNA in engine deposits and their later emission under more severe engine operating conditions. A relatively minor contribution to PNA emission was made by PNA synthesized from lower molecular weight fuel aromatics, particularly C10-C14 aromatics. Deposit-related PNA emissions were linearly correlated with the PNA content of the deposit formation fuel. In comparison with a fuel of field-average PNA content (0.5 ppm benzo(a)pyrene), a field-maximum fuel (3 ppm) contained 4 to 7 times as much of three major PNA species and caused 3 to 5 times higher emissions of these species.

The development of the DDC methanol engine has been an evolutionary process, with each subsequent configuration showing significant durability and/or emission improvement over its predecessor. Sixty demonstration engines are now in service in the field, including fifty-four (54) urban bus engines, five (5) truck engines, and one (1) generator set engine. While nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions from the methanol engine are inherently low, a durable solution to the effective control of hydrocarbon (HC) emissions has been an especially challenging area. The 1991 Federal urban bus transient emission standards (including 0.10 gm/bhp-hr particulate) have been met with several combinations of compression ratio, intake port height, exhaust valve cam profile, injector tip design, and electronic control strategies, and without exhaust aftertreatment devices or fuel ignition improvers.

NOx emissions can be controlled through engine operation with lean homogeneous air/fuel mixtures. This emission control approach precludes the need for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and secondary air injection systems. The Lean Mixture concept results in similar emissions, fuel economy, and driveability when compared to EGR systems tailored to similar emission levels with similar aftertreatment systems. The Lean Mixture approach does offer the potential for less engine emission control hardware. The minimum NOx level achieved experimentally at the lean driveability limit was about 1.2 g/mi but with significantly higher HC emissions. Lean Mixture systems are sensitive to variations in engine air/fuel ratio which produce a significant effect on their emissions and fuel economy.

A technology assessment of engines, power source and electrical technologies that can meets the needs of the future U.S. Army (“Army 21”) for cost-effective generator sets is made. Considered in this assessment are: diesel engines; stratified-charge, spark-ignited engines; homogeneous-charge, spark-ignited engines; gas turbine engines; and Stirling engines. Direct energy conversion devices including batteries, fuel cells, thermal-to-electric generators, and nuclear powered systems are also considered. In addition, potential advances in electric alternators and power conditioning, applications of networking, and noise reduction methods are discussed for possible application to the Army environment. Recommendations are made for the potential application of the different technologies for the needs of Army 21.

Diesel particulate matter in both the diluted and undiluted state is subject to the processes of coagulation, condensation or evaporation, and nucleation which causes continuous changes in its physical characteristics. The Electrical Aerosol Analyzer (EAA) is used to measure the diesel particle size distribution in the MTU dilution tunnel for a naturally aspirated direct-injection diesel engine operated on the EPA 13 mode cycle. The design and development of accurate and repeatable sampling methods using the EAA are presented. These methods involve both steady-state tunnel and bag measurements. The data indicate a bimodal nature within the 0.001 to 1 μm range. The first mode termed the “embroynic mode” has a saddle point between 0.005 to 0.015 μm and the second mode termed the “aggregation mode” lies between .08 to .15 μm for the number distribution.

The diesel engine emits exhaust particles that pose a unique set of measurement requirements. To document the state-of-the-art of measurement technology and to improve measurement quality, the Smoke and Particulate Panel of the Diesel Exhaust Composition group of the Coordinating Research Council reviewed published literature and particulate-sampling data generated by panel members to identify (1) the effects of key sampling parameters on measured particulate mass, (2) the causes of measurement variability, (3) the effects of dilution system design on particulate mass measurement, and (4) promising real-time mass measurement methods. The panel found greater measurement difficulty associated with particulates than for gaseous pollutants because of engine-produced variations, the sensitivity of measured particulate mass to dilution parameters, and random errors in the independent measurements which comprise a particulate measurement.

One of the more objectionable aspects of the use of diesel engines has been the emission of particulate matter. A literature review of combustion flames, theoretical calculations and dilution tunnel experiments have been performed to elucidate the chemical and physical processes involved in the formation of diesel particulate matter. A comparative dilution tunnel study of diluted and undiluted total particulate data provided evidence supporting calculations that indicate hydro-carbon condensation should occur in the tunnel at low exhaust temperatures. The sample collection system for the measurement of total particulate matter and soluble sulfate in particulate matter on the EPA 13 mode cycle is presented. A method to correct for hydrocarbon interferences in the EPA barium chloranilate method for the determination of sulfate in particulate matter is discussed.

Exhaust emission of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNA) and of phenols has been studied with a variety of test fuels, using cyclic tests in five vehicles-including one without emission control (NC), two with engine modification (EM) control, and two with experimental very low emission systems. The experimental systems both reduced phenol emission to less than 0.5% and PNA emission to about 1% of the levels observed in the NC vehicle. Phenols were reduced 30% by one EM vehicle, but not by the other; while PNA emissions were reduced by 70% in both EM vehicles. Fuel composition influenced emissions both directly and through engine deposits. Direct effects included increased phenol emission from increased fuel aromatics and, generally, increased PNA emission from increased fuel aromatics, from increased fuel PNA, and from the presence of a high-boiling naphtha.

A computer simulation model to predict the thermal responses of an on-highway heavy duty diesel truck in transient operation was used to study several important cooling system design and operating variables. The truck used in this study was an International Harvester COF-9670 cab-over-chassis vehicle equipped with a McCord radiator, Cummins NTC-350 diesel engine, Kysor fan-clutch and shutter system, aftercooler, and standard cab heater and cooling system components. Input data from several portions of a Columbus to Bloomington, Indiana route were used from the Vehicle Mission Simulation (VMS) program to determine engine and vehicle operating conditions for the computer simulation model. The thermostat-fan, thermostat-shutter-fan, and thermostat-winterfront-fan systems were studied.

The Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation (VECSS) developed at Michigan Technological University in 1982 was enhanced to the extent that it can be used as a cooling system design tool for a heavy duty diesel truck. The enhancements are described in the present paper, while the use of the VECSS as a cooling system design tool is presented in the companion paper, “The Use of the Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation as a Cooling System Design Tool.” The enhanced VECSS was validated by comparing predicted temperature results to data collected by the Cummin's Engine Company during Air-to-Boil (ATB) tests, and during an “over-the-road” dynamic run of a heavy duty diesel truck. The enhanced model provided results which compared very favorably to both, the steady state ATB data and the dynamic “over-the-road” data.

Enhanced VECSS simulation program was tested for use as a cooling system design tool. The design parameters indicated in the study were varying fan type, fan speed, engine power rating, radiator style and air conditioning condenser. The predicted temperature results were compared to the experimental data, and were found to follow the measured trends, and in cases when the exact parameters were simulated, were found to match the temperature amplitudes.