Exhaust gas
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Exhaust gas or
It is a major component of motor vehicle emissions (and from stationary internal combustion engines), which can also include crankcase blow-by and evaporation of unused gasoline.
Motor vehicle emissions are a common source of air pollution and are a major ingredient in the creation of smog in some large cities. A 2013 study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) indicates that 53,000 early deaths occur per year in the United States alone because of vehicle emissions.[2] According to another study from the same university, traffic fumes alone cause the death of 5,000 people every year just in the United Kingdom.[3]
Composition
The largest part of most combustion gas is
Exhaust gas temperature
Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) is important to the functioning of the catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine. It may be measured by an exhaust gas temperature gauge. EGT is also a measure of engine health in gas-turbine engines (see below).
Cold engines
During the first two minutes after starting the engine of a car that has not been operated for several hours, the amount of emissions can be very high. This occurs for two main reasons:
- Rich air-fuel ratio requirement in cold engines: When a cold engine is started, the fuel does not vaporize completely, creating higher emissions of computer-controlled fuel injection, shorter intake lengths, and pre-heating of fuel and/or inducted air.
- Inefficient catalytic converter under cold conditions: Catalytic converters are very inefficient until warmed up to their operating temperature. This time has been much reduced by moving the converter closer to the exhaust manifold and even more so placing a small yet quick-to-heat-up converter directly at the exhaust manifold. The small converter handles the start-up emissions, which allows enough time for the larger main converter to heat up. Further improvements can be realised in many ways,[4] including electric heating, thermal battery, chemical reaction preheating, flame heating and superinsulation.
Passenger car emissions summary
Component | Emission Rate | Annual pollution emitted |
---|---|---|
Hydrocarbons | 2.80 grams/mile (1.75 g/km) | 77.1 pounds (35.0 kg) |
Carbon monoxide | 20.9 grams/mile (13.06 g/km) | 575 pounds (261 kg) |
NOx | 1.39 grams/mile (0.87 g/km) | 38.2 pounds (17.3 kg) |
Carbon dioxide - greenhouse gas | 415 grams/mile (258 g/km) | 11,450 pounds (5,190 kg) |
Comparable with the European emission standards EURO III as it was applied in October 2000
In 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency began to implement more stringent emissions standards for light duty vehicles. The requirements were phased in beginning with 2004 vehicles and all new cars and light trucks were required to meet the updated standards by the end of 2007.
Component | Emission Rate | Annual pollution emitted |
---|---|---|
NMOG (Volatile organic compounds) | 0.075 grams/mile (0.046 g/km) | 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg) |
Carbon Monoxide | 3.4 grams/mile (2.1 g/km) | 94 pounds (43 kg) |
NOX | 0.05 grams/mile (0.0305 g/km) | 1.4 pounds (0.64 kg) |
Formaldehyde | 0.015 grams/mile (0.0092 g/km) | 0.41 pounds (0.19 kg) |
Types
Internal-combustion engines
Spark-ignition and Diesel engines
In spark-ignition engines the gases resulting from combustion of the fuel and air mix are called exhaust gases. The composition varies from petrol to diesel engines, but is around these levels:
Combustion-engine exhaust gases[7] All figures are approximate |
% of total | |
---|---|---|
Compound | Petrol | Diesel |
nitrogen | 71 | 67 |
carbon dioxide | 14 | 12 |
water vapor | 13 | 11 |
oxygen | 10 | |
Trace elements[citation needed] | < 0.6 | ~ 0.3 |
nitrogen oxides | < 0.25 | < 0.15 |
carbon monoxide | 1 - 2 | < 0.045 |
particulate matter
|
< 0.045 | |
hydrocarbons | < 0.25 | < 0.03 |
sulfur dioxide | possible traces | < 0.03 |
The 10% oxygen for "diesel" is likely if the engine was idling, e.g. in a test rig. It is much less if the engine is running under load, although diesel engines always operate with an excess of air over fuel.[citation needed] The CO content for petrol engines varies from ≈15 ppm for well tuned engine with fuel injection and a catalytic converter up to 100,000 ppm (10%) for a richly tuned carburetor engine, such as typically found on small generators and garden equipment.[8]
Nitromethane additive
Exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine whose fuel includes nitromethane will contain nitric acid vapour, which is corrosive, and when inhaled causes a muscular reaction making it impossible to breathe. People who are likely to be exposed to it should wear a gas mask.[9]
Diesel engines
Gas-turbine engines
- In aircraft gas turbine engines, "exhaust gas temperature" (EGT) is a primary measure of engine health. Typically the EGT is compared with a primary engine power indication called "engine pressure ratio" (EPR). For example: at full power EPR there will be a maximum permitted EGT limit. Once an engine reaches a stage in its life where it reaches this EGT limit, the engine will require specific maintenance in order to rectify the problem. The amount the EGT is below the EGT limit is called EGT margin. The EGT margin of an engine will be greatest when the engine is new, or has been overhauled. For most airlines, this information is also monitored remotely by the airline maintenance department by means of ACARS.
Jet engines and rocket engines
In jet engines and rocket engines, exhaust from propelling nozzles which in some applications shows shock diamonds.[citation needed]
Other types
From burning coal
- Flue gas
Steam engines
In steam engine terminology the exhaust is steam that is now so low in pressure that it can no longer do useful work.
Main motor vehicle emissions
NOx
Mono-nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 (NOx) (whether produced this way or naturally by lightning) react with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds to form nitric acid vapor and related particles. Small particles can penetrate deeply into sensitive lung tissue and damage it, causing premature death in extreme cases. Inhalation of NO species increases the risk of lung cancer[10] and colorectal cancer.[11] and inhalation of such particles may cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis and heart disease.[12][13][14]
In a 2005
The resulting nitric acid may be washed into soil, where it becomes nitrate, which is useful to growing plants.
Volatile organic compounds
When oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight, ground level ozone is formed, a primary ingredient in smog. A 2005 U.S. EPA report gives road vehicles as the second largest source of VOCs in the U.S. at 26% and 19% are from non road equipment which is mostly gasoline and diesel stations.[15] 27% of VOC emissions are from solvents which are used in the manufacturer of paints and paint thinners and other uses.[16]
Ozone
Ozone is beneficial in the upper atmosphere,[17] but at ground level ozone irritates the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity.[18] It also has many negative effects throughout the ecosystem.[19]
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common type of fatal air poisoning in many countries.[20] Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic. It combines with hemoglobin to produce carboxyhemoglobin, which blocks the transport of oxygen. At concentrations above 1000ppm it is considered immediately dangerous and is the most immediate health hazard from running engines in a poorly ventilated space. In 2011, 52% of carbon monoxide emissions were created by mobile vehicles in the U.S.[21]
Hazardous air pollutants (toxics)
Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
The
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Water vapour
Vehicle exhaust contains much
Water recovery
There has been research into ways that troops in deserts can recover drinkable water from their vehicles' exhaust gases.[34]
Pollution reduction
One of the advantages claimed for advanced steam technology engines is that they produce smaller quantities of toxic pollutants (e.g. oxides of nitrogen) than petrol and diesel engines of the same power.[citation needed] They produce larger quantities of carbon dioxide but less carbon monoxide due to more efficient combustion.
Health studies
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health say preliminary results of their statistical study of children listed in the California Cancer Registry born between 1998 and 2007 found that traffic pollution may be associated with a 5% to 15% increase in the likelihood of some cancers.[37] A World Health Organization study found that diesel fumes cause an increase in lung cancer.[38]
Localised effects
The California Air Resources Board found in studies that 50% or more of the air pollution (smog) in Southern California is due to car emissions.[citation needed] Concentrations of pollutants emitted from combustion engines may be particularly high around signalized intersections because of idling and accelerations. Computer models often miss this kind of detail.[39]
See also
- Air pollution#Most polluted cities
- Alternative propulsion
- Atmospheric dispersion modeling
- Automobile#Environmental impact
- Clean Air Act
- Congestion pricing
- Emission standard
- European emission standards
- Flue gas
- Kyoto Protocol
- Landfill gas
- Low-emission zone
- Mobile source air pollution
- Motor vehicle emissions and pregnancy
- Rolling coal
- Space jellyfish
- United States emission standards
- Vehicle emissions control
References
- .
- .
- ^ Roland Pease. "Traffic pollution kills 5,000 a year in UK, says study". BBC News.
- ^ Pulkrabek W.W. (2004) Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion Engine. Pearson Prentice Hall, new Jersey
- ^ "Average Annual Emissions and Fuel Consumption for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks" (PDF). Transportation and Air Quality. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Light-Duty Vehicle, Light-Duty Truck, and Medium-Duty Passenger Vehicle -- Tier 2 Exhaust Emission Standards". Emission Standards Reference Guide. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 14 November 2012.
- ^ Self-Study Programme 230: Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emissions (PDF). AUDI. April 2000. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Operating Fossil Fuel Engines Inside Buildings (AEN-206)". Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "Race Fuel - Nitromethane". www.turbofast.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
- PMID 25870974.
- ^ "Health". Nitrogen Dioxide. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 14 February 2013.
- ^ "The Regional Transport of Ozone: New EPA Rulemaking on Nitrogen Oxide Emissions (EPA-456/F-98-006)" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency. September 1998.
- ^ a b "State and County Emission Summaries: Nitrogen Oxides". Air emission sources. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 25 October 2013.
- ^ a b "State and County Emission Summaries: Volatile Organic Compounds". Air emission sources. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)". Toxic Substances Hydrology Program. United States Geological Survey (USGS). 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ EPA, OAR, OAP, SPD, US. "Ozone Layer Protection - US EPA". US EPA.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Air Quality Planning and Standards".
- ^ "Ecosystem Effects | Ground-level Ozone | US EPA". www.epa.gov. Archived from the original on 18 May 2012.
- PMID 12324190.
- ^ "State and County Emission Summaries: Carbon Monoxide". Air Emission Sources. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Exhaust emissions: What comes out of your car's exhaust?". Automobile Association Developments Limited. 23 February 2012.
- ^ "Air Toxics from Motor Vehicles" (PDF). Transportation and Air Quality. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- PMID 26761628.
- PMID 28735838.
- PMID 28528896.
- ^ Region 4: Laboratory and Field Operations — PM 2.5 (2008).PM 2.5 Objectives and History. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- PMID 17310696.
- ^ "Transportation Air Quality: Selected Facts and Figures". U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Commission. 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
- ^ Lewis, Barbara; Carey, Nick (27 April 2022). "Lacking filters, U.S. cars set to emit a septillion more particles - research". Reuters.
- ^ IPCC, 2013: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
- ^ "Commission plans legislative framework to ensure the EU meets its target for cutting CO2 emissions from cars". European Commission. 7 February 2007.
- ^ "EU Average New Car CO2 Emissions Down 5.4 Percent in Q1". autoevolution. SoftNews NET. 19 April 2010.
- ^ "recovering water from diesel exhaust - Google Search". www.google.co.uk.
- ^ "EPA Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act". Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ US EPA Publication AP 42, Fifth Edition, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors
- ^ Reinberg, Steven (9 April 2013). "Smog Exposure During Pregnancy Might Raise Child's Cancer Risk: Study". USNews.
- ^ "IARC Diesel engine exhaust carcinogenic". iarc.fr. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- PMID 17049967.
External links
- Health and Air Pollution Publication of the California Air Resources Board
- Cone, Tracie (13 November 2008). "California Air Pollution Kills More People Than Car Crashes, Study Shows". Huffington Post.
- "Automotive Exhaust Chemicals: disease causing effects". Alpha Online. Environmed Research Inc. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014.
- "Cars, Trucks, and Air Pollution". Clean Vehicles. Union of Concerned Scientists. 3 September 2013.
- About diesel exhaust:
- U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Safety and Health Topics: Diesel Exhaust
- Partial List of Chemicals Associated with Diesel Exhaust
- Diesel Exhaust Particulates: Reasonably Anticipated to Be A Human Carcinogen
- Scientific Study of Harmful Effects of Diesel Exhaust: Acute Inflammatory Responses in the Airways and Peripheral Blood After Short-Term Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in Healthy Human Volunteers
- Diesel exhaust: what you need to know