Soot Reduction in Diesel Engines by Catalytic Effects

摘要

This study of methods for reducing soot emission from diesel engines suggests that both homogeneous and heterogeneous approaches are feasible. The homogeneous approach consisted in mixing small quantities of alcohol with the fuel and the heterogeneous approach consisted of coating parts of the combustion chamber (bounding) surface with an oxidation catalyst like platinum. Both approaches produced significant reductions in soot emissions. These tests were conducted over a small range of operation in a single cylinder engine (a CFR type), with most of the testing done using pure cetane as fuel at constant speed, and load. Although the engine and test conditions are not representative of an automotive diesel engine, the results may be useful to access the feasibility of soot reduction in automotive and truck diesel engines, using these methods. The major features of the reaction mechanisms proposed for both fuel additive and surface catalyst effectiveness could be applied to various combustion problems. (ERA citation 06:012551)