Article Information
Comparison of Carbonyls and BTEX Emissions from a Light Duty Vehicle Fuelled with Gasoline and Ethanol-Gasoline Blend, and Operated without 3-Way Catalytic Converter

Keywords: Alternative Fuel, Ethanol, Unregulated Emissions, Carbonyls,Volatile Organic Compounds.

Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology

Volume 30 ,  Issue 4

Asad Naeem Shah,Ge Yun-Shan  ,Muhammad Akram Shaikh

Abstract

This paper presents the comparison of unregulated emissions such as carbonyls and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylenes) species emanated from a light duty SI (Spark Ignition) vehicle E-0 (fuelled on gasoline) and E-10 (ethanol-gasoline blend). Meanwhile, the ozone forming potential of these pollutants based on their ozone SR (Specific Reactivity) has also been addressed in this study. The experiments were performed on transient as well as steady-state modes in accordance with the standard protocols recommended for light duty vehicle emissions. Carbonyls and BTEX were analyzed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) with UV detector and GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy), respectively. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were the predominant components of the carbonyls for E-0 and E-10, respectively. During transient mode, formaldehyde, acrolein + acetone, and tolualdehyde pollutants were decreased but, acetaldehyde emissions increased with E-10 as compared to E-0. The BTEX emissions were also decreased with E-10, relative to E-0. During the steady-state modes, formaldehyde, acrolein + acetone and propionaldehyde were lower, aromatic aldehydes were absent, but acetaldehyde pollutants were higher with E-10 compared to E-0. The BTEX emissions were decreased at medium and higher speed modes however, increased at lower speed mode with E-10 as compared to E-0. Total BTEX emissions were maximal at lower speed mode but, least at medium speed mode for both the fuels. SR of the pollutants was higher over transient cycle of operation, compared with steady-state mode. Relative to E-0, E-10 displayed lower SR during both transient as well as steady-state mode.