Reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission and air pollution by using a methanol-containing additive in a gasoline-powered engine

Abstract

Abstract

A gasoline powered engine installed and operated on an engine dynamometer was used to investigate the reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission and air pollution [CO, hydrocarbons (HCs), NO_x] by using a methanol-containing additive (US Department of Commerce Patent and Trademark Office Certification No. 5688295, 18 November 1997). Mixtures of 25 per cent methanol with 75 per cent 95 lead-free gasoline (LFG), 25 per cent methanol with 75 per cent 92 LFG and 25 per cent methanol with 75 per cent premium leaded gasoline (PLG) were used as the power fuels. The engine was simulated for the idling condition and for cruising engine speeds of 1500, 2000 and 3000 r/min. The concentrations of 21 individual PAHs and air pollutants in the engine exhaust emissions were determined. The experimental results proved that the methanol-containing additive obviously promotes PAH and air pollution reduction, especially at an engine speed of 1500 r/min. The concentration of carcinogenic compounds—benzopyrene (BaP), dibenzanthracene (DBA), indenopyrene (IND) and benzoperylene (BghiP)—found in major vehicle fuels is approximately zero in the methanol-containing additive.