Effect of fuel on the soot nanostructure and consequences on loading and regeneration of diesel particulate filters

An automotive diesel engine was tested in three representative modes of soot accumulation, active regeneration and spontaneous regeneration of its catalyzed diesel particulate filter (DPF), among the typical driving operation modes. During the engine tests, pressure and temperature along the DPF were measured, and soot samples were taken from the exhaust manifold upstream of the DPF for their thermal, structural and morphological characterization. The collected soot samples were subjected to: Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for morphological analysis, thermal heating under oxidant atmosphere for studying the oxidation kinetics, Raman spectroscopy for describing their nanostructure and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) for studying their internal lattice parameters. When the engine was operated in a typical accumulation mode, the pressure drop across the DPF increased up to 80 hPa with diesel fuel, while pressure drop stopped increasing after 4000 s of engine testing with biodiesel. In the regeneration mode, the DPF regenerated more slowly in the biodiesel case as a consequence of lower post-injected fuel energy and thus lower exhaust temperature. In the self-regenerating mode, the DPF was charged more slowly with biodiesel than with diesel fuel and its break even temperature was 40 °C lower with biodiesel fuel. These results provide further evidence that biodiesel soot is more reactive to oxidation. Although thermogravimetric results confirmed this tendency based on the differences on the pre-exponential factor, Raman spectra showed that biodiesel soot reached more ordered graphite-like structures and lower amorphous carbon concentration and XRD analysis showed that biodiesel soot displayed a higher degree of graphitization. The TEM analysis of the agglomerates showed that soot primary particles obtained with biodiesel fuel were significantly smaller and had higher specific active surface than those of diesel soot. From these results, an interpretation of the differences in soot oxidation between both soot samples was made based on the different length scales, from the carbon fringes to the particulate filter.     

柴油机微粒捕捉器主动再生特性的计算与分析

对柴油机排气微粒捕捉器（DPF）的主动再生特性进行了研究,建立了DPF主动再生数学模型,具体分析了柴油机转速、排气中的氧气浓度、DPF的微粒沉积量、微粒的活化能以及柴油机排气温度等参数对DPF主动再生特性的影响。结果表明,通过适当推迟柴油机喷油提前角以提高其排气温度,并辅以燃油加剂或利用催化剂降低微粒的活化能,在适当的条件下,进行DPF的主动再生是可行的。     

Soot processes in compression ignition engines

While diesel engines are arguably superior to any other power-production device for the transportation sector in terms of efficiency, torque, and overall driveability, they suffer from inferior performance in terms of noise, NO_x and particulate emissions. The majority of particulate originates with soot particles which are formed in fuel-rich regions of burning diesel jets. Over the past two decades, our understanding of the formation process of soot in diesel combustion has transformed from inferences based on exhaust measurements and laboratory flames to direct in-cylinder observations that have led to a transformation in diesel engine combustion. In-cylinder measurements show the diesel spray to produce a jet which forms a lifted, partially premixed, turbulent diffusion flame. Soot formation has been found to be strongly dependent on air entrainment in the lifted portion of the jet as well as by oxygen in the fuel and to a lesser extent the composition and structure of hydrocarbons in the fuel. Soot surviving the combustion process and exiting in the exhaust is dominated by soot from fuel-rich pockets which do not have time to mix and burn prior to exhaust valve opening. Higher temperatures at the end of combustion enhance the burnout of soot, while high temperatures at the time of injection reduce air entrainment and increase soot formation. Using a conceptual model based on in-cylinder soot and combustion measurements, trends seen in exhaust particulate can be explained. The current trend in diesel engine emissions control involves multi-injection combustion strategies which are transforming the picture of diesel combustion rapidly into a series of low temperature, stratified charge, premixed combustion events where NO_x formation is avoided because of low temperature and soot formation is avoided by leaning the mixture or increasing air entrainment prior to ignition.     

NO2-Assisted Soot Regeneration Behavior in a Diesel Particulate Filter with Heavy-Duty Diesel Exhaust Gases

A major concern in operating a diesel engine is how to reduce the soot emission from the exhaust gases, as soot has a negative effect on both human health and the environment. More stringent emission regulations make the diesel particulate filter (DPF) an indispensable after-treatment component to reduce diesel soot from exhaust gases. The most important issue in developing an effective DPF, however, is regeneration technology to oxidize the diesel soot trapped in the filter, either periodically or continuously, during regular engine operations. Various methods exist for regenerating diesel soot captured by the filter. Of these, NO₂ is widely used for continuous regeneration of diesel soot since it can oxidize diesel soot at lower temperatures than the conventional oxidizer O₂ In this work, after introducing governing equations for trapping and regenerating diesel soot in the DPF, regeneration behavior is examined by changing such various parameters as exhaust gas temperature and O₂ concentration. Numerical investigation is then performed in order to find the optimum NO₂/soot ratio required for continuous regeneration of the soot deposited in the DPF.     

A novel 1D approach for the simulation of unsteady reacting flows in diesel exhaust after-treatment systems

A new one-dimensional approach, based on the solution of the governing equations for unsteady, reacting and compressible flows has been developed for the simulation of the hydrodynamics, the transient filtration/loading and the catalytic/NO₂-assisted regeneration occurring in diesel particulate filters (DPF). The model is able to keep track of the chemical compounds, of the amount of soot transported by the flow, and it can estimate the increasing of back-pressure occurring in the exhaust system, due to the permeability variation of the porous wall and to the soot cake building up on the DPF porous surface. Further, a prediction of the oxidation of the deposited particulate induced by the Oxygen (collected in the exhaust gas), by the nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), by the carbon oxide (CO) and by the hydrocarbons (HC) converted along the diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) is given.     

Use of hydrogen in dual-fuel diesel engines

Hydrogen is a promising future energy carrier due to its potential for production from renewable resources. It can be used in existing compression ignition diesel engines in a dual-fuel mode with little modification. Hydrogen's unique physiochemical properties, such as higher calorific value, flame speed, and diffusivity in air, can effectively improve the performance and combustion characteristics of diesel engines. As a carbon-free fuel, hydrogen can also mitigate harmful emissions from diesel engines, including carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter, soot, and smoke. However, hydrogen-fueled diesel engines suffer from knocking combustion and higher nitrogen oxide emissions. This paper comprehensively reviews the effects of hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gaseous fuels (i.e., syngas and hydroxy gas) on the behavior of dual-fuel diesel engines. The opportunities and limitations of using hydrogen in diesel engines are discussed thoroughly. It is not possible for hydrogen to improve all the performance indicators and exhaust emissions of diesel engines simultaneously. However, reformulating pilot fuel by additives, blending hydrogen with other gaseous fuels, adjusting engine parameters, optimizing operating conditions, modifying engine structure, using hydroxy gas, and employing exhaust gas catalysts could pave the way for realizing safe, efficient, and economical hydrogen-fueled diesel engines. Future work should focus on preventing knocking combustion and nitrogen oxide emissions in hydrogen-fueled diesel engines by adjusting the hydrogen inclusion rate in real time.     

柴油机燃烧多环芳香烃前驱体等物质的化学动力学研究

为了揭示混合气浓度对柴油机排放的影响规律,采用正庚烷氧化详细反应机理及化学动力学分析软件对不同燃空当量比下柴油机燃烧初级碳烟粒子前驱体等重要反应中间产物或自由基的形成及发展历程进行了数值模拟．模拟结果表明,降低混合气浓度可以实现低温燃烧,使燃烧温度远离“碳烟形成温度窗”,大幅度降低柴油机碳烟排放．混合气浓度对反应中间产物或自由基有重要影响,通过改变混合气浓度可以控制燃烧过程中多环芳香烃(PAH)前体物乙炔(C2H2)、炔丙基(C3H3)及其他重要物质羟基(OH)、过氧羟自由基(HO2)、过氧化氢(H2O2)、甲醛(CH2O)和一氧化碳(CO)等的生成量,从而实现控制柴油机排放．     

柴油添加剂和微粒捕集器的协同性分析与研究

柴油添加剂可以降低发动机燃烧室内的碳烟生成,而微粒捕集器则能有效控制柴油机尾气中微粒排放。对柴油添加剂种类、微粒捕集器过滤体材料和微粒捕集器的再生方法分别作了介绍,并着重对柴油添加剂促进微粒捕集器再生的机理和存在的问题进行了分析和研究。     

Uncatalysed and catalysed soot combustion under NOx + O2: Real diesel versus model soots

In this work, the uncatalysed and catalysed combustion of two commercial carbon blacks and three diesel soot samples were analysed and related to the physico-chemical properties of these carbon materials. Model soot samples are less reactive than real soot samples, which can be attributed, mainly, to a lower proportion in heteroatoms and a higher graphitic order for the case of one of the carbon blacks. Among the diesel soot samples tested, the most relevant differences are the volatile matter/fixed carbon contents, which are directly related to the engine operating conditions (idle or loaded) and to the use of an oxidation catalyst or not in the exhaust. The soot collected after an oxidation catalyst (A-soot) is more reactive than the counterpart virgin soot obtained under the same engine operating modes but before the oxidation catalyst. The reactivity of the different soot samples follows the same trend under uncatalysed and catalysed combustion, the combustion profiles being always shifted towards lower temperatures for the catalysed reactions. The differences between the soot samples become less relevant in the presence of a catalyst. The ceria-zirconia catalysts tested are very effective not only to oxidise soot but also to combust the soluble organic fraction emitted at low temperatures. The most reactive soot (A-soot) exhibits a T_50% parameter of 450 °C when using the most active catalyst.     

生物柴油对直喷式柴油机燃烧和排放的影响

列举了生物柴油的基本物化特性。介绍了生物柴油对直喷式柴油机燃烧和排放的影响。相比普通柴油,燃用生物柴油可以减少CO、CO_2、SO_2、HC、微粒以及碳烟的排放且不会影响柴油机工作性能。采用EGR、乳化油、多次喷射及微粒捕捉器等措施可以进一步降低使用生物柴油的微粒和NOx排放。生物柴油作为一种可再生的替代能源,以其良好的环境效应受到越来越多的关注。     

The effect of biodiesel oxidation on engine performance and emissions

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel consisting of the alkyl monoesters of fatty acids from vegetable oils or animal fats. Previous research has shown that biodiesel-fueled engines produce less carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and particulate emissions compared to diesel fuel. One drawback of biodiesel is that it is more prone to oxidation than petroleum-based diesel fuel. In its advanced stages, this oxidation can cause the fuel to become acidic and to form insoluble gums and sediments that can plug fuel filters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of oxidized biodiesel on engine performance and emissions. A John Deere 4276T turbocharged DI diesel engine was fueled with oxidized and unoxidized biodiesel and the performance and emissions were compared with No. 2 diesel fuel. The neat biodiesels, 20% blends, and the base fuel (No. 2 diesel) were tested at two different loads (100 and 20%) and three injection timings (3° advanced, standard; 3° retarded). The tests were performed at steady-state conditions at a single engine speed of 1400 rpm. The engine performance of the neat biodiesels and their blends was similar to that of No. 2 diesel fuel with the same thermal efficiency, but higher fuel consumption. Compared with unoxidized biodiesel, oxidized neat biodiesel produced 15 and 16% lower exhaust carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the oxides of nitrogen and smoke emissions from oxidized and unoxidized biodiesel.     

An overview of physical and chemical features of diesel exhaust particles

Diesel exhaust particles have a negative impact on both human health and the ecosystem. An adequate understanding of the physical and chemical characteristics of diesel exhaust particles is essential for both minimizing particles formation and optimizing particles oxidation. This paper systematically reviews the physicochemical characteristics of diesel exhaust particles. Firstly, the approaches to studying the characteristics of diesel exhaust particles are described and the main features of particulate matter (PM) such as particle size distributions, microstructure of aggregate particles, nanostructure of primary particle, chemical compositions of diesel particles and oxidation reactivity of diesel particles are discussed in this paper. Then, the effects of operating parameters containing engine speed, engine load, injection pressure, injection timing and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on each PM feature are summarized and discussed in detail. Subsequently, the relationships between PM features and its oxidation reactivity are exclusively reviewed. It can be concluded that soot oxidation reactivity is influenced by the combination of multiple properties of the emitted PM. Finally, concluding remarks are presented and further research recommendations are listed.     

Variations in the chemical composition and morphology of soot induced by the unsaturation degree of biodiesel and a biodiesel blend

This work is about the influence of the molecular structure of the fatty acid esters present in two neat biodiesel fuels and their blend (50% by volume) on particulate matter emission. Experiments were performed in a four-cylinder direct injection automotive diesel engine under carefully controlled operating conditions, so that the difference in performance and emissions were affected only by biodiesel fuels composition and properties. The results indicated that the composition and degree of unsaturation of the methyl ester present in biodiesel plays an important role in the chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) emitted. It was observed that linseed biodiesel (BL100) produces more PM and hydrocarbons (HC) than Palm biodiesel (BP100) as a consequence of more unsaturated compounds in its composition, which favor the soot precursor’s formation in the combustion zone. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the amount of volatile material in the soot from biodiesel fuels was slightly lower than that of diesel fuel, but not significant differences were observed among biodiesels. Similarly, the chemical characteristics of the hydrocarbons of volatile material present in the particulate matter (referred in the literature as SOF-soluble organic fraction), showed an increase in the aliphatic component as the unsaturation degree of the fatty acid methyl ester increased. Additionally, it is concluded that there are not significant nano-structural differences in the soot obtained from pure biodiesel fuels, even if they have very different degrees of unsaturation.     

车用柴油机排气微粒后处理器的开发

开发了一种用于市内公共汽车的6120Q型柴油机的排气微粒后处理器。后处理器用泡沫陶瓷作为微粒捕集介质,保证净化效率在50％以上。鉴于我国市内公共汽车柴油机的平均排气温度很低,在捕集器的前端装了一个燃烧器,定期对陶瓷滤芯进行热再生。文中介绍了微粒捕集器和再生燃烧器结构发展的沿革,特别是再生系统的工作和性能。     

Analysis of reformed EGR on the performance of a diesel particulate filter

The use of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in combination with an upstream diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) has been successfully implemented and shown to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and Particulate Matter (PM) diesel exhaust gas emissions. However issues including cost, size and uncontrolled active regeneration under a low temperature window still require attention. This study therefore primarily focuses on the potential benefits of using a single catalytic coated DPF (cDPF) and a combined DOC-cDPF instead of the DOC-DPF aftertreatment system utilising a passive, low temperature regeneration method. Comparisons were made through monitoring exhaust gas compositions from an experimental single cylinder diesel engine as well as measuring the pressure drop across the filters to analyse the accumulation of soot particles. The influence of reformed EGR (REGR), enriched simulated hydrogen (H₂) and CO, on DPF and cDPF soot loading was of interest as H₂ promotes the NO to NO₂ oxidation. Similarly the addition of simulated reformate (added either directly into the engine intake or exhaust manifold) for optimal performance of the aftertreatment systems was examined.The effects of adding REGR resulted in a significant decrease in total engine-out NO_x emissions, as well as an increase in both NO₂ concentration and NO₂/NO_x ratio. This resulted in improved filter efficiency and overall loading, especially under a DOC-cDPF aftertreatment configuration system. As a whole, a simultaneous NO_x and PM reduction was achieved.     

生物柴油应用研究

在一台小型直喷单缸柴油机上进行了黄连木生物柴油和麻风树生物柴油的性能和排放试验,探讨了传统柴油机燃用生物柴油的可行性以及生物燃料对柴油机性能和排放的影响。试验结果表明,采用生物柴油后燃油消耗率略高于0^#柴油,但CO,HC,NOx排放均有一定程度的降低,并能有效降低碳烟排放,在大负荷时效果尤为显著。     

柴油机新型排气微粒捕集技术的研究

研究了一种新型的柴油机排气微粒捕集器——燃媒剂再生微粒捕集器。通过大量的柴油机台架试验．分析了该微粒捕集器对CA6DL1-28柴油机的动力性、燃油经济性以及排放性能的影响,并结合大量的实验数据分析了微粒捕集器的强制再生过程。实验结果表明,该微粒捕集器具有同类其他产品无法比拟的良好特性,同时也为该方法对国产发动机的适应性提供了依据。     

Effect of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) on performance,emissions, deposits and durability of a constant speed compression ignition engine

To meet stringent vehicular exhaust emission norms worldwide, several exhaust pre-treatment and post-treatment techniques have been employed in modern engines. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is a pre-treatment technique, which is being used widely to reduce and control the oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emission from diesel engines. EGR controls the NO_x because it lowers oxygen concentration and flame temperature of the working fluid in the combustion chamber. However, the use of EGR leads to a trade-off in terms of soot emissions. Higher soot generated by EGR leads to long-term usage problems inside the engines such as higher carbon deposits, lubricating oil degradation and enhanced engine wear. Present experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effect of EGR on soot deposits, and wear of vital engine parts, especially piston rings, apart from performance and emissions in a two cylinder, air cooled, constant speed direct injection diesel engine, which is typically used in agricultural farm machinery and decentralized captive power generation. Such engines are normally not operated with EGR. The experiments were carried out to experimentally evaluate the performance and emissions for different EGR rates of the engine. Emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), NO_x, carbon monoxide (CO), exhaust gas temperature, and smoke opacity of the exhaust gas etc. were measured. Performance parameters such as thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were calculated. Reduction in NO_x and exhaust gas temperature were observed but emissions of particulate matter (PM), HC, and CO were found to have increased with usage of EGR. The engine was operated for 96 h in normal running conditions and the deposits on vital engine parts were assessed. The engine was again operated for 96 h with EGR and similar observations were recorded. Higher carbon deposits were observed on the engine parts operating with EGR. Higher wear of piston rings was also observed for engine operated with EGR.     

电控高压共轨柴油机排气微粒的测量及数值模拟

利用改进后的全气缸取样系统,对不同工况下高压共轨电控柴油机燃烧过程中的微粒生成历程进行测量.同时,采用三维CFD数值模拟方法分析了微粒的生成机理.结果表明,微粒质量浓度曲线呈单峰状,微粒生成质量随负荷的增大而增加;发动机排出微粒是碳烟粒子生成和氧化这两个过程综合作用的结果.加强缸内的气流运动和合理组织燃烧过程,有助于减少微粒的生成.     

柴油机颗粒过滤器工作过程中捕集颗粒物的试验研究

对柴油机颗粒过滤器(diesel particulate filter,DPF)进行了颗粒物(particulate matter,PM)在线捕集试验。通过发动机废气排放颗粒物粒径谱仪EEPS-3090分析了DPF对不同粒径PM的捕集特性;通过扫描电镜仪和热重分析仪探究了DPF前后端PM的堆积形貌及氧化特性。研究结果表明:DPF对大粒径颗粒物的捕集效果优于小粒径颗粒物,聚集态颗粒物基本被DPF完全拦截;DPF孔道过滤壁面的深层碳烟减小了微孔孔径,随着采样时间的增加,DPF对PM的捕集率升高。柴油机排气流经DPF后,逃逸出少量PM,以核态颗粒物为主。与DPF前端相比,后端PM的挥发性组分含量升高,元素碳的含量下降,氧化活性增强。