Spray characteristics of four-hole injectors used for a hydrocarbon lean nitrogen oxide catalyst system in a diesel engine

Abstract

Among emission reduction technologies, a hydrocarbon lean nitrogen oxide trap is a cost-effective solution for nitrogen oxide emission control in light-duty vehicles. However, the hydrocarbon lean nitrogen oxide trap leads to high fuel consumption because diesel fuel is normally used as a reducing agent (i.e. a reductant). It is necessary to establish injection conditions corresponding to the maximum nitrogen oxide conversion in the hydrocarbon lean nitrogen oxide trap system. A uniform distribution of the reducing agent is desirable, and the spray characteristics of the reductant, such as atomization and penetration, must be well understood in order to establish a good performance of the hydrocarbon lean nitrogen oxide trap. With this goal in mind, the spray characteristics and behaviour of a port fuel injector with four holes were analysed using visualization and r.m.s. image-processing techniques. The Sauter mean diameter distribution of the injector was measured using a Malvern system. The liquid agents employed in this study were ISO 4113 and n-heptane, which have properties similar to those of diesel and gasoline fuels respectively. These results elucidated the feasibility of a secondary injection system for the hydrocarbon lean nitrogen oxide trap.