Numerical study on PM10 collection efficiency in a wire-cylinder electrostatic precipitator under multi-field coupling

The PM10 collection efficiency of a wire-cylinder electrostatic precipitator (ESP) was studied by means of a developed mathematical model, including the multi-field coupling between the gas flow field, the particle dynamic field and the electric field, and applying the Deutsch–Anderson Equation. The diffusion charging mechanism was considered due to the diameter range of PM10. The investigated variables were the applied potential, the gas velocity and the particle distribution. Numerical results indicate that the diffusion charging has significant influence on PM10 removal performance and the effect is more obvious with the decreasing diameter, and that the PM10 collection efficiency increases with the increasing applied potential and the increment of collection efficiency is more significant at lower voltage. Moreover, as the gas velocity at inlet decreases, collection efficiency of PM10 will increase. Finally, the overall efficiency increases with increasing the mean diameter of particle distribution. The research results can provide theoretical and technical references for the design of novel ESP aiming at economy and environment protection.     

Lab-scale test of a ventilation system including a dielectric barrier discharger and UV-photocatalyst filters for simultaneous removal of gaseous and particulate contaminants

A ventilation system including a dielectric barrier discharger (DBD) and UV-photocatalyst (UVP) filters was designed and tested for simultaneous removal of gaseous and particulate contaminants in a test chamber. The DBD was used in the first stage of electrostatic precipitator (ESP) for particle charging and gas decomposition. An applied DC electric field was used in the second stage of ESP to collect the charged particles. UVP filters were then used to decompose gaseous species, such as formaldehyde (HCHO) and benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) including O3, which was inherently produced by the DBD. %Reductions in mass concentration of PM2.5 and number concentration of submicron particles were approximately 79.5% and 76.3%, respectively, after the ventilation with air cleaning system was operated for 5 h. Both HCHO and BTX were completely removed when the initial concentration of each gas was 1 ppm. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems, such as sick building syndrome (SBS), are caused by limited ventilation in high-rise buildings. To overcome these problems, DBD and UVP filters were applied into a lab-scale ventilation system for simultaneous removal of pollutant particles and gases. The data supplied in this study will be useful for designing any actual ventilation system after further research, including scale-up experiments.     

Fine particle collection of an electrostatic precipitator in CO2-rich gas conditions for oxy-fuel combustion

The collection of particles in CO₂-enriched environments has long been important for the capture of CO₂ in order to clean gases via oxy-fuel combustion. We here report on the collection characteristics of fine and ultrafine particles using an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere. In order to understand the characteristics of particle collection in CO₂-rich gas mixtures, the ionic properties of a CO₂-enriched atmosphere was also investigated. The electrical mobility of the ions in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere was found to be about 0.56 times that found in a conventional air atmosphere, due to the higher mass of CO₂ gas compared to that of air. The low electrical mobility of ions resulted in a low corona current under CO₂-enriched conditions. The collection efficiency of particles in a CO₂-rich atmosphere for a given power consumption was thus somewhat lower than that found in air, due to the low quantity of particle charging in CO₂-enriched air. At the same time, higher temperatures led to the higher electrical mobility of ions, which resulted in a greater collection efficiency for a given power. The presence of a negative corona also led to a greater collection efficiency of particles in an ESP than that achieved for a positive corona.     

Experimental study on particulate and NOx emissions of a diesel engine fueled with ultra low sulfur diesel, RME-diesel blends and PME-diesel blends

Ultra low sulfur diesel and two different kinds of biodiesel fuels blended with baseline diesel fuel in 5% and 20% v/v were tested in a Cummins 4BTA direct injection diesel engine, with a turbocharger and an intercooler. Experiments were conducted under five engine loads at two steady speeds (1500 rpm and 2500 rpm). The study aims at investigating the engine performance, NO_x emission, smoke opacity, PM composition, PM size distribution and comparing the impacts of low sulfur content of biodiesel with ULSD on the particulate emission. The results indicate that, compared to base diesel fuel, the increase of biodiesel in blends could cause certain increase in both brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency. Compared with baseline diesel fuel, the biodiesel blends bring about more NO_x emissions. With the proportion of biodiesel increase in blends, the smoke opacity decreases, while total particle number concentration increases. Meanwhile the ULSD gives lower NO_x emissions, smoke opacity and total number concentration than those of baseline diesel fuel. In addition, the percentages of SOF and sulfate in particulates increase with biodiesel in blends, while the dry soot friction decreases obviously. Compared with baseline diesel fuel, the biodiesel blends increase the total nucleation number concentration, while ULSD reduces the total nucleation number concentration effectively, although they all have lower sulfur content. It means that, for ULSD, the lower sulfur content is the dominant factor for suppressing nucleation particles formation, while for biodiesel blends, lower volatile, lower aromatic content and higher oxygen content of biodiesel are key factors for improving the nucleation particles formation. The results demonstrate that the higher NO_x emission and total nucleation number concentration are considered as the big obstacles of the application of biodiesel in diesel engine.     

道路隧道旁通式ESP空气净化系统及技术

道路隧道旁通式ESP空气净化系统通过在隧道内设置旁路通风系统,利用ESP的高压静电吸附功能,有效去除隧道污染空气中的PM2.5、PM10等颗粒物。本文阐述了ESP空气净化工作原理、ESP系统空气净化技术以及系统结构集成,并将ESP系统与道路隧道常规通风模式进行投资运营技术经济比较,研究ESP系统与消防排烟系统的联合工作方式,以及旁道式ESP空气净化系统对道路隧道实现节能运营、绿色运营和环保运营的可行性和应用前景。     

Emission reduction from diesel engine using fumigation methanol and diesel oxidation catalyst

This study is aimed to investigate the combined application of fumigation methanol and a diesel oxidation catalyst for reducing emissions of an in-use diesel engine. Experiments were performed on a 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated direct-injection diesel engine operating at a constant speed of 1800 rev/min for five engine loads.The experimental results show that at low engine loads, the brake thermal efficiency decreases with increase in fumigation methanol; but at high loads, it slightly increases with increase in fumigation methanol. The fumigation method results in a significant increase in hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions, but decrease in nitrogen oxides (NO_x), smoke opacity and the particulate mass concentration. For the submicron particles, the total number of particles decreases. In all cases, there is little change in geometrical mean diameter of the particles. After catalytic conversion, the HC, CO, NO₂, particulate mass and particulate number concentrations were significantly reduced at medium to high engine loads; while the geometrical mean diameter of the particles becomes larger. Thus, the combined use of fumigation methanol and diesel oxidation catalyst leads to a reduction of HC, CO, NO_x, particulate mass and particulate number concentrations at medium to high engine loads.     

The use of light scattering and ion chamber responses for the detection of fires in diesel contaminated atmospheres

Experiments were conducted to determine the optical scattering properties of diesel particulate matter (DPM) and various combustion aerosols from both flaming and smoldering combustion sources at discrete angles of 15° and 30° in the forward direction and at a light source wavelength of 635 nm using a simple light scattering module. In addition to the scattering data, simultaneous measurements were made of the total aerosol mass concentration; light extinction at an average wavelength of 546 nm; and the response of a common bipolar ion chamber typical of residential smoke detectors modified to allow the aerosols to flow through the chamber. The results of these experiments indicate, for DPM and combustion aerosols, the intensities per unit mass concentration depend not only upon whether the aerosol is DPM or combustion aerosol but also upon the type of combustion aerosol. The results also indicate that the ion chamber responses are greatest for DPM, followed by the response to flaming combustion aerosols (FCA) and lowest for smoldering combustion aerosols (SCA). For light scattering, the greatest intensities are found for SCA, followed by the intensities from FCA, and lowest for DPM. This report describes the experiments, their results, and the use of these results to develop design criteria for early warning fire sensors capable of the rapid and reliable detection of fires in atmospheres that may or may not be contaminated by the products produced from diesel engines.     

高风速下线板式静电集尘器提效试验研究

为解决室内线板式静电集尘器在高风速条件下效率偏低的问题,设计制作了双区分体式静电集尘器样机,并通过测试该样机在不同条件下的PM2.5一次性过滤效率,考察了影响线板式静电集尘器高风速下性能的关键因素。结果表明,增加电离区"有效电流",减小集尘区极片间距,增加集尘区厚度是提高线板式静电集尘器高风速下性能的有效手段。依据试验结果对现有集尘器产品的电离区与集尘区进行优化改进并测试其在不同风速下的PM2.5一次性过滤效率表现。优化后的集尘器整体效率提升明显。     

Submicrometer particle removal indoors by a novel electrostatic precipitator with high clean air delivery rate,low ozone emissions,and carbon fiber ionizer

A novel positive‐polarity electrostatic precipitator (ESP) was developed using an ionization stage (0.4 × 0.4 × 0.14 m³) with 16 carbon fiber ionizers in each channel and a collection stage (0.4 × 0.4 × 0.21 m³) with parallel metallic plates. The single‐pass collection efficiency and clean air delivery rate (CADR) were measured by standard tests using KCl particles in 0.25–0.35 μm. Performance was determined using the Deutsch equation and established diffusion and field charging theories and also compared with the commercialized HEPA filter‐type air cleaner. Experimental results showed that the single‐pass collection efficiency of the ESP ranged from 50 to 95% and decreased with the flow rate (10–20 m³/min), but increased with the voltage applied to the ionizers (6 to 8 kV) and collection plates (?5 to ?7 kV). The ESP with 18 m³/min achieved a CADR of 12.1 m³/min with a voltage of 8 kV applied to the ionization stage and with a voltage of ?6 kV applied to the collection stage. The concentration of ozone in the test chamber (30.4 m³), a maximum value of 5.4 ppb over 12 h of continuous operation, was much lower than the current indoor regulation (50 ppb).     

Traffic emission scenarios in Lombardy region in 1998-2015

This study assesses and discusses the current and future contribution of road traffic to primary PM10 and PM10 main precursors (i.e. NO(x), SO(2), NH(3), VOC) in the Lombardy region (Italy). It defines a coherent and updated set of input parameters (emission factors, mileage and fleet composition) for traffic emission estimation between 1998 and 2015. 1998-2004 emissions are assessed basing on historical data, while 2005-2015 rely on different hypothesis about mobility development and vehicular turnover rate. The work shows that road traffic emissions of PM10 and PM10 precursors are expected to decrease in the period 2005-2015, with a reduction greater than 70% in scenarios with a fast vehicle turnover and a decrease in fuel usage. Increase in fuel consumption could substantially lower the emission reduction expected, off-setting a substantial part of the new technology benefits. The introduction of DPF (diesel particulate filter) vehicles will determine a reduction of PM10 exhaust, however this could potentially be stalled by the increase in diesel usage in the vehicle fleet and an increase in mileage driven, as the latter causes a rise in the contribution of PM10 from abrasion. Concerning the total atmospheric emissions in Lombardy, SO(2) (-6%) and NH(3) (<-2%) emission will remain constant, while PM10, VOC and NO(x) emission will decrease, respectively by 2-30%, 6-15% and 2-32% in the period 2001-2015.     

Energetic and exergetic analysis and assessment of a thermal energy storage (TES) unit for building applications

The main objective of this study is to investigate the energetic and exergetic performances of a latent energy storage system in both charging (solidification) and discharging (melting) processes. A shell-and-tube TES unit was designed, constructed and tested in Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey. This experimental unit basically consisted of a heat exchanger section, a measurement system and flow control systems. For the charging mode, the inlet temperatures varied to be −5 °C, −10 °C and −15 °C, while the volumetric flow rates changed to be 2 l/min, 4 l/min and 8 l/min. The experiments were performed for three different tube materials, copper, steel and PE32 and two various shell diameters of 114 mm and 190 mm to investigate the tube material and shell diameter effects on energetic and exergetic efficiencies. It may be concluded that for the charging period, the exergetic efficiency increased with the increase in the inlet temperature and flow rate. For discharging period, irreversibility increased as the temperature difference between the melting temperature of the PCM and the inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) increased and hence the exergy efficiency increased.     

Effect of intake air oxygen enrichment for improving engine performance and emissions control in diesel engine

Stringent emission regulations and health awareness about air pollution have led researchers to find alternative means of minimising emissions in diesel engines. In this article, the influence of oxygen enrichment is discussed to determine the effect on diesel engine performance, emission characteristics and combustion characteristics. Normal diesel and oxygen-enriched diesel are used in this experiment. The increase in oxygen concentration led to complete combustion, producing higher thermal efficiency and low harmful emissions. From the results, it is noted that oxygen-enriched diesel fuel showed reduction of CO, HC and smoke emissions, while NOx emission increased.

Abbreviations/Nomenclature DI: direct injection; NOx: oxides of nitrogen; O₂: oxygen; HC: hydrocarbon; PM: particulate matters; CO: carbon monoxide; CO₂: carbon dioxide     

Real-world operation conditions and on-road emissions of Beijing diesel buses measured by using portable emission measurement system and electric low-pressure impactor

On-road measurement is an effective method to investigate real-world emissions generated from vehicles and estimate the difference between engine certification cycles and real-world operating conditions. This study presents the results of on-road measurements collected from urban buses which propelled by diesel engine in Beijing city. Two widely used Euro III emission level buses and two Euro IV emission level buses were chosen to perform on-road emission measurements using portable emission measurement system (PEMS) for gaseous pollutant and Electric Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) for particulate matter (PM) number emissions. The results indicate that considerable discrepancies of engine operating conditions between real-world driving cycles and engine certification cycles have been observed. Under real-world operating conditions, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions can easily meet their respective regulations limits, while brake specification nitrogen oxide (bsNO_x) emissions present a significant deviation from its corresponding limit. Compared with standard limits, the real-world bsNO_x emission of the two Euro III emission level buses approximately increased by 60% and 120% respectively, and bsNO_x of two Euro IV buses nearly twice standard limits because Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system not active under low exhaust temperature. Particle mass were estimated via particle size distribution with the assumption that particle density and diameter is liner. The results demonstrate that nanometer size particulate matter make significant contribution to total particle number but play a minor role to total particle mass. It is suggested that specific certified cycle should be developed to regulate bus engines emissions on the test bench or use PEMS to control the bus emissions under real-world operating conditions.     

Emissions characteristics of a diesel engine operating on biodiesel and biodiesel blended with ethanol and methanol

Euro V diesel fuel, pure biodiesel and biodiesel blended with 5%, 10% and 15% of ethanol or methanol were tested on a 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated direct-injection diesel engine. Experiments were conducted under five engine loads at a steady speed of 1800 r/min. The study aims to investigate the effects of the blended fuels on reducing NO_x and particulate. On the whole, compared with Euro V diesel fuel, the blended fuels could lead to reduction of both NO_x and PM of a diesel engine, with the biodiesel-methanol blends being more effective than the biodiesel-ethanol blends. The effectiveness of NO_x and particulate reductions is more effective with increase of alcohol in the blends. With high percentage of alcohol in the blends, the HC, CO emissions could increase and the brake thermal efficiency might be slightly reduced but the use of 5% blends could reduce the HC and CO emissions as well. With the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), the HC, CO and particulate emissions can be further reduced.     

Characterizing airborne fungal and bacterial concentrations and emission rates in six occupied children's classrooms

Baseline information on size‐resolved bacterial, fungal, and particulate matter (PM) indoor air concentrations and emission rates is presented for six school classrooms sampled in four countries. Human occupancy resulted in significantly elevated airborne bacterial (81 times on average), fungal (15 times), and PM mass (nine times) concentrations as compared to vacant conditions. Occupied indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios consistently exceeded vacant I/O ratios. Regarding size distributions, average room‐occupied bacterial, fungal, and PM geometric mean particle sizes were similar to one another while geometric means estimated for bacteria, fungi, and PM mass during vacant sampling were consistently lower than when occupied. Occupancy also resulted in elevated indoor bacterial‐to‐PM mass‐based and number‐based ratios above corresponding outdoor levels. Mean emission rates due to human occupancy were 14 million cells/person/h for bacteria, 14 million spore equivalents/person/h for fungi, and 22 mg/person/h for PM mass. Across all locations, indoor emissions contributed 83 ± 27% (bacteria), 66 ± 19% (fungi), and 83 ± 24% (PM mass) of the average indoor air concentrations during occupied times.     

Characterization of emissions from burning incense

The primary objective of this study was to improve the characterization of particulate matter emissions from burning incense. Emissions of particulate matter were measured for 23 different types of incense using a cyclone/filter method. Emission rates for PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter) ranged from 7 to 202 mg/h, and PM2.5 emission factors ranged from 5 to 56 mg/g of incense burned. Emission rates were also determined using an electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI) and a small electrostatic precipitator (ESP), and emission rates were compared to those determined using the cyclone/filter method. Emission rates determined by the ELPI method were consistently lower than those determined by the cyclone/filter method, and a linear regression correlation was found between emission rates determined by the two methods. Emission rates determined by the ESP method were consistently higher than those determined by the cyclone/filter method, indicating that the ESP may be a more effective method for measuring semivolatile particle emissions. A linear regression correlation was also found between emission rates determined by the ESP and cyclone/filter methods. Particle size distributions were measured with the ELPI, and distributions were found to be similar for most types of incense that were tested. Size distributions by mass typically ranged from approximately 0.06 to 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter, with peak values between 0.26 and 0.65 microm. Results indicated that burning incense emits fine particulate matter in large quantities compared to other indoor sources. An indoor air quality model showed that indoor concentrations of PM25 can far exceed the outdoor concentrations specified by the US EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), so incense smoke can pose a health risk to people due to inhalation exposure of particulate matter. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were also measured for seven types of incense. Emission rates of the gaseous pollutants were sufficient to cause indoor concentrations, estimated using the indoor air quality model, to exceed the outdoor concentrations specified by the NAAQS under certain conditions. However, the incense samples that were tested would fill a room with thick smoke under these conditions.     

Investigation of the effects of exhaust and power loss in dual-fuel six-stroke engine with EGR technology

ABSTRACT

In today’s world, the usage of internal combustion engines is inevitable. Particularly the diesel engines find their importance more than the petrol engines due to their operating cost. But diesel engines have their demerits in the area of exhaust and power loss. Necessary steps have to be taken in order to effectively use the fuel available. In this technical presentation, we have discussed about the utilisation of six-stroke engines which run on dual fuel. The six-stroke engine’s principle resembles a double-stage compressor. By this way, effective compression is done and the need for turbocharger is completely neglected. We have also considered cylinder’s position in a six-stroke engine. As the lubrication and cooling system needs special attention in the case of opposing-type cylinders, we have formulated a better and simple arrangement in which same power is produced, eradicating the lubrication problems. Also, the pollution (NOx) emitted by the diesel engines is also taken into account. We found the solution in the form of dual-fuel and exhaust gas recirculation system. The combusting temperature of the diesel engine is above 2000°F and this is the prime reason for NOx emission. So an alternative fuel which can be combusted below the level of diesel should be used. Moreover, the availability and production cost must be taken into consideration. We found ethanol as a better alternative for diesel. The cold starting of the engine is made easier using a glow plug, which is used to preheat the charge coming inside the combustion chamber.     

Thermal sensations of the whole body and head under local cooling and heating conditions during step-changes between workstation and ambient environment

This paper examines people’s thermal sensations during step-changes between ambient and workstation environments with a local ventilation device installed to supply-air motion around heads. We conducted human subject tests in a controlled environment chamber for summer and winter conditions. We performed 29 tests. The ambient air temperatures were 28 and 30 °C for summer conditions and 19 °C for winter conditions. The local supply-air temperatures were at 24, 28 and 30 °C for summer and 50 °C for winter. The supply-air velocities of the local ventilation device were at 3, 3.5, and 5 m/s for summer and 3.5 m/s for winter. The air temperatures near heads were 26–30 °C for summer and 32 °C for winter. The velocities along the jet-flow line at a distance of 10 cm from heads were 1.4–2.6 m/s for summer and 1.8 m/s for winter. In total, 23 subjects participated in the tests, and each subject participated in 1∼2 test conditions. Both the dynamic and stable thermal sensations of head and whole body were analyzed. When head is cooled by local ventilation, head thermal sensation has an effect on overall thermal sensation. When subjects moved from the workstation, where local devices were installed, to the ambient environment that was warmer in summer and colder in winter than the workstation, both overshooting and hysteresis were found. These thermal sensation changing trends in non-uniform step-change environments are helpful in personalizing environment control designs and exploring the possibilities of saving energy in buildings.     

Comparative characterization of particle emissions from asbestos and non-asbestos cement roof slates

The first aim of this study was to characterise total and size-fractionated particulate matter (PM) aerosol, including fibres, released from the processing operations of cement roofing slates. The second aim was to compare particle emissions from asbestos-cement and non-asbestos cement sheets, with respect to total and size-fractionated particulate matter as well as fibres emissions. Asbestos and cellulose-based cement sheets were compared during slate treatment processes, namely crushing, rubbing, rasping and scrubbing. Generated PM and fibres were classified by a variety of methods (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ cyclones, aerodynamic particle spectrometer and optical particle counter). A substantial variation in the mass of generated particles has been noticed, both within each PM fraction and between different treatment processes. The PM₁₀/PM_total concentration ratio ranged from 70 to 98% and PM_2.5/PM_total ratio equalled to ∼20%. The new generation non-asbestos sheets produced three times higher PM emissions than asbestos-cement sheets during crushing operation. Particle size distribution of number concentrations was mostly bimodal (two modes at 0.5 and 2.5 μm). With respect to fibres, the release of cellulose fibres from non-asbestos slates was from 1.8 to 13 times lower in comparison with asbestos fibres. At the same time, cellulose fibre length was 1.4–1.6 times lower. Hence, new generation non-asbestos roofing slates were proved to be less hazardous from the point of view of fibre release, but more hazardous with respect to total particle release.