Alternative Fuels for Control of Engine Emission

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental investigation has shown that spark ignition engine fuel composition can have a profound influence on exhaust content of potential air pollutants. Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide are two of these products of engine combustion which were studied. Considered were alcohols, hydrogen, ammonia, so-called reformed hexane, and a few selected representative hydrocarbons. Energy content and carbon to hydrogen ratio both are influential in determining carbon monoxide and nitric oxide concentrations at peak equilibrium conditions, and thus how much is exhausted to the atmosphere. Neither hydrogen nor ammonia can produce carbon monoxide (or unbumed hydrocarbons) and theoretically should also give less nitric oxide, at most conditions, than do hydrocarbons. Measurement of the exhaust, while burning ammonia, shows that there is actually an increase in nitric oxide compared to hydrocarbons.