A research consortium is being set up at the Southwest Research Institute with the aim of understanding and reducing the projection of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions from diesel engines. The consortium hopes to be able to develop methods that will permit diesel engine manufacturers to meet the US Environment Protection Agency proposals for 2007.
The consortium will be formed by any company prepared to join; the fee is $100 000 for a 19 month project. During the project both in-cylinder and post combustion emission control systems will be examined.
Of particular interest to the consortium is the way in which emission control technologies affect the chemical and physical properties of diesel particulates. A number of NOx reduction methods will be examined, including exhaust gas recirculation and the use of water emulsions. NOx absorbers, and selective catalytic reduction systems will be studied too.
The control of particulates pulsing diesel oxidation catalysts in combination with diesel particulate filters will be another angle examined. Characterization of the physical and chemical properties of diesel particulates will be performed using a variety of analytical techniques. For more information contact Joe Fohn at the Southwest research Institute, San Antonio.