EMMISSON CONTROL SYSTEM

Introdution
Emissions is something that has been emitted released or discharged. In general, emissions
consist of things like gas, liquid, heat, sound, light, and radiation.

Emission is a collective term that is used to describe the undesired gases and particles which
are released into the air or emitted by various sources, Its amount and the type change with a
change in the industrial activity, technology, and a number of other factors, such as air
pollution regulations and etc

It is something that has been emitted released or discharged. In general, emissions consist of
things like gas, liquid, heat, sound, light, and radiation.

Internal combustion engines generate undesirable emissions during the combustion process.
In this, both SI and CI engines are equally responsible for the same. The emissions exhausted
into the surroundings pollute the atmosphere and causes the following problems
(i) global warming
(ii) acid rain
(iii) smog
(iv) odors
(v) respiratory and other health hazards
The major causes of these emissions are non-stoichiometric combustion, dissociation of
nitrogen,and impurities in the fuel and air. The emissions of concern are: unburnt
hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of carbon (COx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur
(SOx), and solid carbon particulates.
The major causes of these emissions are non-stoichiometric combustion, dissociation of
nitrogen, and impurities in the fuel and air. The emissions of concern are: unburnt
hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of carbon (COx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur
(SOx), and solid carbon particulates. It is the dream of engineers and scientists to develop
engines and fuels such that very few quantity of harmful emissions are generated, and these
could be let into the surroundings without a major impact on the environment. However, with
the present technology this is not possible, and after-treatment of the exhaust gases as well as
in-cylinder reduction of emissions are very important. In case of after-treatment it consists
mainly of the use of thermal or catalytic 496 IC Engines converters and particulate traps. For
in-cylinder reduction, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and some fuel additives are being
tried. In addition to exhaust emissions non-exhaust emissions also play a part. In this chapter
we will look into the details of these emissions and their control.
SOURCES OF VEHICLE EMISSONS

Engine Crankcase Blow-by Fumes (20%) where piston blow by fumes and oil
mist are vented to the atmosphere.

Fuel Vapor (20%) – where evaporative emissions from the carburetor or petrol
injection air intake and fuel tank are vented to the atmosphere
Engine Exhaust (60%)- where the products of incomplete combustion are expelled from the
tail pipe to the atmosphere.
ENGINE EMISSIONS

Engine emissions can be classified into two categories:

(i) exhaust emissions and

(ii) non-exhaust emissions.

Exhaust Emissions

As already mentioned major exhaust emissions are

(i) unburnt hydrocarbons, (HC)

(ii) oxides of carbon, (CO and CO2),

(iii) oxides of nitrogen, (NO and NO2)

(iv) oxides of sulphur, (SO2 and SO3)

(v) particulates

(vi) soot and smoke.

 Fig 1.1

Fig 1.1 shows the variation of HC, CO and NOx emissions as a function of equivalence ratio
for an SI engine. It is clearly seen that all the three emissions are a strong function of
equivalence ratio.
As can be noticed from the Fig.1.1 that a rich mixture does not have enough oxygen to react
with all the carbon and hydrogen, and both HC and CO emissions increase. For φ < 0.8, HC
emissions also increase due to poor combustion and misfire. The generation of nitrogen oxide
emissions is a function of the combustion temperature, highest near stoichiometric conditions
when temperatures are at the peak value. Maximum NOx emissions occur at slightly lean
conditions, where the combustion temperature is high and there is an excess of oxygen to
react with the nitrogen
Figure 1.2 shows a qualitative picture of HC, CO and NOx emissions with respect to
equivalence ratio, φ for a four-stroke DI Diesel engine. As can be seen HC will decrease
slightly with increase in φ due to higher cylinder temperatures making it easier to burn up any
over-mixed (very lean) or under-mixed (rich) fuel-air mixture. At high loads, however, HC
may increase again if the amount of fuel
in regions too rich to burn during primary combustion process. CO emissions will be very
low at all equivalence ratio since excess air is always available. NOx emission will steadily
increase as φ increase due to increasing fraction of cylinder contents being burnt gases close
to stoichiometric during combustion, and also due to higher peak temperatures and pressures.

Fig 1.2
Emitted Gases
During combustion various reactions take place between the combusting air and fuel mixture.
Five gases make up the majority of the resulting exhaust.s
 Hydrocarbons (HC)
 Carbon Monoxide (CO)
 Oxides of Nitrogen NOx
 Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
 Water vapor (H2O)
Optimal Combustion
Air
21% Oxygen
78% Nitrogen
1% Argon, CO2 and other gasses
Fuel (C8H15)
Output
H20
CO2
Nitrogen
The causes for emissions and their controls
Hydrocarbons (HC)
Resulting from the release of unburned fuel into the atmosphere
 Produced by incomplete combustion or by fuel evaporation
Mostly related to ignition problems.
 Effect could be eye, throat, and lung irritation, and, possibly cancer
Hydrocarbons are made up of Hydrogen and Carbon
Gasoline (C8H15)
Ethanol (C2H6O)
Methanol (CH4O)
Propane (C3H8)
 Excessive HC levels in the exhaust indicate incomplete combustion
HC should be less than 50 ppm
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
•Produced by extremely high temperatures during combustion.
•Air consist of about 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
•With enough heat (above 2500ºF / 1370ºC), nitrogen and oxygen in air-fuel mixture
combines to form NOx emissions.
•An engine with high compression ratio, lean air-fuel mixture, and high-temperature
thermostat will produce high combustion heat, resulting in formation of NOx.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
 Extremely toxic emission resulting from the release of partially burned fuel (incomplete
combustion of petroleum-based fuel).
 CO prevents human blood cells from carrying oxygen to body tissue
 Symptoms are headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and fatigue
 Poisonous odorless gas
 Indicates a rich air/fuel mixture
 Not enough oxygen present to combine with all of the fuel to produce CO2
 Should be less than .5%
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Harmless gas
 Indicates efficient combustion
Enough oxygen is present to combine with the carbon and produce CO2
Should be 12% - 17%
Greenhouse gas
Oxygen (O2)
Used during combustion
Atmosphere contains 21%
Exhaust contains 5% or less
 If A/F ratio is rich barely any will be present after combustion
 If A/F ratio is lean more oxygen will be present after combustion
 Extremely high levels of O2 may indicate an exhaust leak or an improperly disabled AIR
injection system
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
Compound made up of one nitrogen atom and a number of oxygen atoms
NO, NO2, NO3, NO4
NOx is produced when combustion temperatures reach 1500 F
NOx is produced rapidly when combustion temperatures reach 2500 F
NOx reacts with HC, O2 and sunlight to produce smog.
Emissions Diagnosis
 Possible gas combinations
Low CO/High O2
Indicates a lean mixture
High CO/Low O2
Indicates a rich mixture
High HC/High O2
Indicates a misfire/incomplete combustion
High CO2
Indicates efficient combustion
High Nox
High CO/Low O2
 Indicates a rich mixture

 Possible Causes
Leaking fuel injector
High fuel pressure
Faulty ECM input
Low O2 Voltage

Thermostat stuck open Plugged air filter

Faulty canister purge valve Fuel saturated crankcase
Leaking gaskets, sticking choke etc.
Low CO/High O2

 Indicates a lean mixture

Possible Causes

Clogged injectors Vacuum leak

Low fuel pressure Faulty ECM input

High O2 voltage Low float level, plugged jets, improper car

adjustment

High HC/High O2

 Indicates a misfire (O2 and HC coming into the engine but are not being completely
burned)

 CO may be low, high, or normal

 Possible causes

ignition misfire Plugs, Wires, Cap, Rotor, Timing

Low compression Lean misfire

Rich misfire Sticking EGR

High NOx
 Indicates high combustion temperatures
 Possible causes
Inoperative EGR Lean mixture
High engine temperatures High intake air temperatures
High compression ratio
High CO2
 Indicates efficient combustion
Uncatalyzed levels around 13% indicate efficient combustion
CO2 levels should increase when the catalytic converter starts operating
14.5 % CO2 indicates combustion is efficient and catalytic converter is working
Low CO2
 If CO2 is below 10% proper combustion/catalyzation is not occurring
 CO greater than .5%, O2 greater than CO
Catalyst isn’t working properly  CO greater than .5%, O2 lower than CO
Catalyst isn’t working Air injection not providing enough O2 to catalyst
Missing downstream pipe Switching valve problems
Engine pumping out too much HC or way to much CO
Purpose of Emissions Control system
The emission control systems are installed to reduce the amount of CO, HC and NOx
exhausted from the engine ,to prevent the atmospheric atmospheric release release of blow–
by gas–containing containing HC and evaporated fuel containing HC being released from the
fuel tank
The main methods/approchs are
1. Modification in the engine design and operating parameters
2.Treatments of exhaust products of combustion
Modification in the engine design and operating parameters
1. Combustion chamber configuration
2. Lower compression ratio
3. Modified Induction System
4. Ignition timing
5. Reduced valve overlap
Engine Modification Related to Emission Control
Lower Compression Ratios
Use of unleaded gasoline that permits use of catalytic converters and burns completely to lower
HC emissions.
Lower combustion temperature = Lower NOx emissions.
Smaller Combustion Chamber Surface Volume
•Reduce HC emissions. •Lowers the amount of heat dissipation out of the fuel
mixture.
•Reduce the chance of fuel condensation.
Reduce Quench Areas in the Combustion Chambers
•Lower HC and CO emissions.
•Quench areas- movement of piston too close to the cylinder head.
•If too close, it tends to quench (put out) combustion and increase emissions due to unburne
fuel.
Engine modification Related to Emission Control
1.Positive crankcase ventilation(PCV)…Reduce HC
2.Evaporative Emission Control(EVAP)…Reduces evaporated HC
3.Three way Catalytic Converter(THW)…Reduces HC,CO and Nox
4.Sequential multiport Injection (SFI) …Injects a precisely timed, optimum amount of fuel for
reduced exhaust emission
1.PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation System)

Uses engine vacuum to draw blow-by gases into the intake manifold for returning in the combustion
chamber. Vacuum or electronic controlled, mounted on the valve cover.
2.Evaporative Emission Control Systems (EVAP)
Prevents toxic fuel system vapours from entering the atmosphere.
Parts
• Non-vented fuel tank cap – prevents fuel vapours from entering the atmosphere.
• Air Dome – hump formed at the top of the tank for fuel expansion.
• Charcoal Canister
– stores vapours when the engine is not running.
- filled with active charcoal granules.
- charcoal is capable of absorbing fuel vapours.
• Purge Line/Valve
– controls the flow of vapours from the canister to the intake manifold.
- allows flow when engine reaches operating temperature
Evaporative Emission Control Systems (EVAP)
3.Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
 Allows burned gases to enter the engine intake manifold to help reduce Nox
 When exhaust gases are added to air-fuel mixture, they decrease peak combustion temperatures.

3.Catalytic Converter
 Oxidizes (burns) the remaining HC and CO emissions that pass into the exhaust system.
 Extreme heat (1400°F/760°C) ignites these emissions and change them into carbon dioxide (CO2)
and water (H2O).
 Catalyst is a substance that speeds a chemical reaction without itself being changed (coated with
ceramic honey comb).
 Catalyst Substance: Platinum and Palladium treats HC and CO emissions; Rhodium acts on the NOx
emissions

Catalytic Converter
 Types of Converters
 Mini Catalytic Converter is placed close to the engine exhaust manifold

 Two-way Catalytic Converter can only reduce HC & CO (Platinum).

 Three-way Catalytic Converter reduces HC, CO & NOx (Platinum and Rhodium).