Exhaust gas 1

Exhaust gas
Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of
fuels such as natural gas, gasoline/petrol, diesel fuel, fuel oil or
coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the
atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack or propelling
nozzle. It often disperses downwind in a pattern called an exhaust
plume.

It is a major component of motor vehicle emissions (and from

stationary internal combustion engines), which can also include:
Crankcase by-blow
Evaporation of unused gasoline
Motor vehicle emissions contribute to air pollution and are a major
ingredient in the creation of smog in some large cities. A 2013
study by MIT indicates that 53,000 early deaths occur per year in
the United States alone because of vehicle emissions. According to
another study from the same university, traffic fumes alone cause
A diesel-powered truck emits an exhaust gas rich in
the death of 5000 people every year just in the United Kingdom.
black particulate matter when starting its engine.

Composition
The largest part of most combustion gas is nitrogen (N2), water vapor (H2O) (except with pure-carbon fuels), and
carbon dioxide (CO2) (except for fuels without carbon); these are not toxic or noxious (although carbon dioxide is
generally recognized as a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming). A relatively small part of combustion
gas is undesirable noxious or toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide (CO) from incomplete combustion,
hydrocarbons (properly indicated as CxHy, but typically shown simply as "HC" on emissions-test slips) from unburnt
fuel, nitrogen oxides (NOx) from excessive combustion temperatures, ozone (O3), and particulate matter (mostly
soot).
Exhaust gas 2

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 vaporise completely, creating
higher emissions of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon
monoxide, which diminishes only as the engine reaches operating
temperature. The duration of this start-up phase has been reduced by
advances in materials and technology, including
Steam from tailpipe of cold car
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 up to their
operating temperature. This time has been much reduced by moving the converter closer to the exhaust manifold
and even moreso 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,[1] including electric heating, thermal battery, chemical
reaction preheating, flame heating and superinsulation.

Passenger car emissions summary

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates of average passenger car emissions in the
United States for July 2000
Component Emission Rate Annual pollution emitted

Hydrocarbons 2.80grams/mile (1.75 g/Km) 77.1 pounds (35.0kg)

Carbon monoxide 20.9grams/mile (13.06 g/Km) 575 pounds (261kg)

NOx 1.39grams/mile (0.87 g/Km) 38.2 pounds (17.3kg)

Carbon dioxide - greenhouse gas 0.916 pounds per mile (258g/km) 11,450 pounds (5,190kg)

Comparable with the European Emission Standards EURO III as it was applied on 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.
Exhaust gas 3

United States Light-Duty Vehicle, Light-Duty Truck, and Medium-Duty Passenger

VehicleTier 2 Exhaust Emission Standards (for Bin 5)
Component Emission Rate Annual pollution emitted

NMOG (Volatile organic compounds) 0.075 grams/mile (0.046 g/Km) 2.1 pounds (0.95kg)

Carbon Monoxide 3.4grams/mile (2.1 g/Km) 94 pounds (43kg)

NOX 0.05grams/mile (0.0305 g/Km) 1.4 pounds (0.64kg)

Formaldehyde 0.015grams/mile (0.0092 g/Km) 0.41 pounds (0.19kg)

Types
See also: Motor vehicle emissions

Internal-combustion engines

Spark-ignition engines
See also: Automobile emissions control
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:
This table DOES NOT correctly reflect graph presented on page 6 of referenced document!
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.

% of total
Combustion-engine exhaust gases
All figures are approximate

Compound Petrol Diesel

nitrogen 71 67

carbon dioxide 14 12

water vapor 12 11

oxygen 10

Trace elementsWikipedia:Citation needed < 0.5 ~ 0.3

nitrogen oxides < 0.25 < 0.15

carbon monoxide 1-2 < 0.045

particulate matter < 0.045

hydrocarbons < 0.25 < 0.03

sulphur dioxide possible traces < 0.03

Exhaust gas 4

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 exposed to
it should wear a gas mask.[2]

Diesel engines
See Diesel exhaust; Soot.

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.Wikipedia:Citation
needed

Other types

From burning coal

Flue gas
Flue gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion What looks like exhaust from jet engines, is
actually contrail. (Jet flying over the United
Steam engines States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs,
Colorado).
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

Exhaust gas 5

NOx
Mono-nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 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 such particles
may cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as emphysema and
bronchitis. It may also aggravate existing heart disease. In a 2005 U.S.
EPA study the largest emissions of NOx came from on road motor
vehicles, with the second largest contributor being non-road equipment
Smog in New York City as viewed from the
which is mostly gasoline and diesel stations.
World Trade Center in 1988. A 2009 report
indicates that, despite the City's air being close to
the EPA's short-term ozone standard, that New
Yorkers still face a 25 per-cent increased risk of
dying from lung disease.

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. 27% of VOC emissions are from solvents which are used in
the manufacturer of paints and paint thinners and other uses.

Non road equipment is mostly gasoline and diesel

stations.

Ozone
Ozone is beneficial in the upper atmosphere,[3] but at ground level, ozone irritates the respiratory system, causing
coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity.[4] It also has many bad effects throughout the ecosystem.[5]

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common type of fatal air
poisoning in many countries. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless
and tasteless, but highly toxic. It combines with hemoglobin to produce
carboxyhemoglobin, which is ineffective for delivering oxygen to
bodily tissues. In the U.S. 60% of carbon monoxide is caused by on
road vehicles.
MOPITT satellite computer image of carbon
monoxide March 2010.
Hazardous air pollutants (toxics)
Chronic (long-term) exposure to benzene (C6H6) damages bone marrow. It can also cause excessive bleeding and
depress the immune system, increasing the chance of infection. Benzene causes leukemia and is associated with
other blood cancers and pre-cancers of the blood.
Exhaust gas 6

Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)

The health effects of inhaling airborne particulate matter have been widely studied in humans and animals and
include asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular issues, and premature death. Because of the size of the particles, they
can penetrate the deepest part of the lungs.[6] A 2011 UK study estimates 90 deaths per year due to passenger vehicle
PM. In a 2006 publication, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) state that in 2002 about 1 per-cent of
all PM10 and 2 per-cent of all PM2.5 emissions came from the exhaust of on-road motor vehicles (mostly from diesel
engines).

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Motor vehicle CO2 emissions are part of the anthropogenic contribution to the
growth of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere which is believed by a majority of scientists to play a significant
part in climate changeWikipedia:Citation needed. Motor vehicles are calculated to generate about 20% of the
European Union's man-made CO2 emissions, with passenger cars contributing about 12%. European emission
standards limit the CO2 emissions of new passenger cars and light vehicles. The European Union average new car
CO2 emissions figure dropped by 5.4% in the year to the first quarter of 2010, down to 145.6 g/km.

Pollution reduction
Emission standards focus on reducing pollutants contained in the exhaust gases from vehicles as well as from
industrial flue gas stacks and other air pollution exhaust sources in various large-scale industrial facilities such as
petroleum refineries, natural gas processing plants, petrochemical plants and chemical production plants.[7][8]
However, these are often referred to as flue gases. Catalytic converters in cars intend to break down the pollution of
exhaust gases using a catalyst. Scrubbers in ships intend to remove the sulfur dioxide (SO2) of marine exhaust gases.
The regulations on marine sulfur dioxide emissions are tightening, however only a small number of special areas
worldwide have been designated for low sulfur diesel fuel use only.
One of the advantages claimed for advanced steam technology engines is that that they produce smaller quantities of
toxic pollutants (e.g. oxides of nitrogen) than petrol and diesel engines of the same power.Wikipedia: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. A World Health
Organization study found that diesel fumes cause an increase in lung cancer.[9]

Localised effects
The California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) found in studies that 50% or more of the air pollution (smog) in
Southern California is due to car emissions.Wikipedia:Citation needed
Exhaust gas 7

References
[1] Pulkrabek W.W. (2004) Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion Engine. Pearson Prentice Hall, new Jersey
[2] turbofast.com (http:/ / www. turbofast. com. au/ racefuel6. html)
[3] http:/ / www. epa. gov/ ozone/ basicinfo. html
[4] http:/ / www. epa. gov/ airquality/ ozonepollution/ health. html
[5] http:/ / www. epa. gov/ groundlevelozone/ ecosystem. html
[6] Region 4: Laboratory and Field Operations PM 2.5 (2008).PM 2.5 Objectives and History. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
[7] EPA Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act (http:/ / www. epa. gov/ oar/ oaqps/ peg_caa/ pegcaain. html)
[8] US EPA Publication (http:/ / www. epa. gov/ ttn/ chief/ ap42/ index. html) AP 42, Fifth Edition, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission
Factors
[9] http:/ / www. iarc. fr/ en/ media-centre/ pr/ 2012/ pdfs/ pr213_E. pdf

External links
Health and Air Pollution (http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/health.htm) Publication of the California
Air Resources Board
The Encyclopedia Of Filters - Dust Collection (http://www.qfilter.com/Resource.aspx/DocumentDetail/15)
An overview of the science of dust collection systems, including those used for pollution control.
Cone, Tracie (13 November 2008). "California Air Pollution Kills More People Than Car Crashes, Study Shows"
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/13/california-air-pollution-_n_143521.html). Huffington Post.
"Automotive Exhaust Chemicals: disease causing effects" (http://www.nutramed.com/environment/
carschemicals.htm). Alpha Online. Environmed Research Inc.
"Cars, Trucks, and Air Pollution" (http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/vehicle_impacts/
cars_pickups_and_suvs/cars-trucks-air-pollution.html). Clean Vehicles. Union of Concerned Scientists. 3
September 2013.
"General Information - Emissions and ADR's" (https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/contracts/).
Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.Wikipedia:Link rot
"Environment, Health & Transportation: Motor Vehicles and Air Pollution" (http://www.ibike.org/
environment/air-pollution.htm). International Bicycle Fund. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
About diesel exhaust:
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Safety and Health Topics: Diesel
Exhaust (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/dieselexhaust/)
Partial List of Chemicals Associated with Diesel Exhaust (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/dieselexhaust/
chemical.html)
Diesel Exhaust Particulates: Reasonably Anticipated to Be A Human Carcinogen (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/
ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s069dies.pdf)
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 (http://ajrccm.
atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/159/3/702)
Diesel exhaust: what you need to know (http://www.losh.ucla.edu/catalog/factsheets/diesel_english.pdf)
Article Sources and Contributors 8

Article Sources and Contributors

Exhaust gas Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=619471063 Contributors: Acdx, Alexthe5th, AniRaptor2001, Anthony Appleyard, Arsenikk, Banhandam, Bfriesen, Bgwhite,
Biscuittin, CWenger, Chaosdruid, Chrissy385, Cimon Avaro, Connelly90, Cpl Syx, Cyrius, Daniel.Cardenas, Daniele Pugliesi, David Shankbone, DeFacto, Deanshan, EdJogg, El C, EvelinaB,
Fieldday-sunday, Gilliam, Guaca, Hayden747, Iridescent, IronGargoyle, Jag123, Janderk, Jinkinson, John254, Jusdafax, Kasaalan, Kathovo, LAX, Lamro, Leonini, Leyo, Lumos3, Mac,
MacGyverMagic, Mattis, Mbeychok, Moriori, Musclewelsh, Mutinus, NHSavage, NaBUru38, Ocdncntx, Ocdnctx, Rderijcke, RicHard-59, Rmky87, Sinophile21992, Sonett72, Steel1943, Stian,
Sumivec, Testem, Tgeairn, Tim Q. Wells, Toyota prius 2, Tryptofish, TyA, Vindheim, Vsmith, Wavelength, Wolfkeeper, Woohookitty, Writ Keeper, , 123 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Diesel-smoke.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Diesel-smoke.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: EPA
File:Exhaust.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Exhaust.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Jensbn, Mattes, Packa, , 1 anonymous edits
Image:Jet exhaust by David Shankbone.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Jet_exhaust_by_David_Shankbone.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License
Contributors: David Shankbone
Image:SmogNY.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SmogNY.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Gryffindor, Quasipalm, Saperaud, Takeaway, 1 anonymous
edits
File:2005 sources of vocs.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:2005_sources_of_vocs.png License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Daniel.Cardenas
File:MOPITT www.acd.ucar.edu.Web-201003-mixing ratio at surface.png Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MOPITT_www.acd.ucar.edu.Web-201003-mixing_ratio_at_surface.png License: Public Domain Contributors: www.acd.ucar.edu and NASA

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/