6.

Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Emission Control

Topics covered in this presentation:

Types of Emissions
Emission Control Devices
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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Emission Types
Vehicles are responsible for producing emissions that are harmful to the
atmosphere and the environment. Legislation has been introduced stating
that emissions must be reduced. The major emissions produced by a
vehicle are:
Hydrocarbons (HC) are created
by unburnt fuel entering the
atmosphere. They are either fuel
that has not combusted properly or
fuel vapour leaking from the fuel
bowl, filler pipe etc. HCs are
reactive and can cause illnesses.
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) are
formed when nitrogen and oxygen
mix under high pressure and high
temperature 1400C (2500F).
NOX can cause eye and
respiratory problems.

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Emission Types
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is caused
by the incomplete combustion of
fuel. It is an invisible poisonous
gas that can be fatal if large
amounts are inhaled.
Particulates are soot particles
caused by fuel additives. They are
particularly prominent with diesel
engines. 30% of the particles sink to
the ground while the other 70% can
be airborne for long periods of time.

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Emission Control Systems

Modern vehicles are fitted with emission control systems, designed to
reduce emissions. These include:
A catalytic converter.
Air injection (AIR) system.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.
Evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system.
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system.

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter removes the harmful gases that exit the exhaust.
A three-way converter contains honeycomb coated with platinum, palladium
and rhodium to form oxidization and reduction converters.
The oxidization converter stores oxygen when the air/fuel mixture is lean. It
converts hydrocarbons (HC) into water (H2O) and carbon monoxide (CO)
into carbon dioxide (CO2).
Catalyst honeycomb

The reduction converter

converts oxides of
nitrogen (NOX) into
nitrogen (N2) and
oxygen (O2).

Outlet

Inlet

The conversion
process produces
temperatures up
to 900C (1600F).

Oxidization converter
Steel shell

Reduction converter

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Air Injection System

This system forces clean air into exhaust ports to ignite unburnt fuel
(hydrocarbons), within the exhaust manifold. Some systems also force air
into a catalytic converter to
aid the conversion process.
Air is forced into the exhaust
ports by a vane type air pump,
via an air injection manifold.
Vacuum operated diverter
valve is used to stop air
flow during deceleration,
otherwise backfiring may
occur within the exhaust.
A check valve is placed
in the line to stop hot
exhaust gases travelling
back up the air hose.

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System

The EGR system reduces NOX emissions. It feeds inert exhaust gases back
into the inlet manifold, where they dilute the air/fuel mixture, without altering
the air/fuel ratio. With less oxygen and fuel, combustion temperatures (and
therefore NOx levels) are lower.
EGR valve
Throttle valve
The system uses an
EGR valve that can be
either vacuum and/or
electronically controlled.

Early EGR valves were

operated by ported
vacuum. They did not
function until engine was
at operating temperature
and above idle speed.

Ported vacuum

TVV
Inlet manifold

Exhaust gas flow

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Electronic EGR Components

In an electronic system,
the ECU uses data from
sensors to control EGR
valve operation.
The ECU calculates the
ideal quantity of exhaust
gas to recirculate (and
timing). This provides
optimum vehicle
efficiency with the least
amount of emissions.

Pressure voltage signals

EVR duty cycle

control signal

ECU
Vacuum output
DPFE sensor

EVR

Intake
vacuum

EGR valve

EGR flow

Vehicles that conform to

EOBD regulations must
be fitted with feedback
sensors (DPFE) to
confirm valve operation.

Exhaust
pressure

Metering
orifice

Inlet
manifold

Exhaust gas

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Electronic Evaporative Emissions Control

Fuel produces vapours, if stored in a container that contains air. The rate at
which fuel vapour is produced increases with air temperature increase.
Older vehicles had vented fuel tanks and carburettors, allowing fuel vapours
to enter the atmosphere.
In a modern vehicle, the fuel system is
sealed and fuel vapours are stored and
then burnt at an appropriate time, along
with the normal air/fuel mixture.
The fuel tank has a sealed cap
that may contain valves to
relieve fuel pressure and allow
air in. The tank contains an air
dome that allows for fuel
expansion and a vent line for
vapour removal.

Air dome
Fuel outlet

High pressure
release Cap

Vent line

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Electronic Evaporative Emissions Control

The vent line is fitted with a roll over/vapour separator valve to stop liquid
fuel entering the system (vehicle inversion). It connects to a charcoal
canister that stores vapours when the engine is switched off.
A purge valve is used to control vapour removal from the canister. Vapours
are drawn into the inlet manifold via a purge line. On older vehicles the
valve is operated by ported vacuum (shown). On modern engines, the ECU
controls valve operation for optimum engine efficiency.
Vacuum line
Roll over valve/vapour separator
Vent line

Non-vented cap

Throttle valve
Purge
valve

Purge
line
Fuel tank

Charcoal canister

Inlet manifold
Air
Fuel vapour
Vacuum

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

Positive Crankshaft Ventilation (PCV)

Combustion produces high
pressure in a cylinder. Some of
the pressurized gas leaks past
the piston rings into the
crankcase, even on a new
engine and is known as 'blowby'.
Older vehicles had a breather
tube that vented these gases
into the atmosphere.

Fresh air enters through the air cleaner

Vapours pass into the inlet manifold

Air flow

Modern vehicles are fitted with a PCV

system. Vacuum is used to suck
blowby out of the crankcase and into
the inlet manifold to be burnt. Fresh
air replaces the gases in the
crankcase. System operation is
regulated by a PCV valve.

Blowby

Vapours
pass
through the
PCV valve
and hose

Fresh air mixes with blowby

gases in the crankcase

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6. Emission Control

Theory Support

Automotive Engine Performance

PCV Valve
The PCV valve is a spring-loaded
device, with an engine specific
orifice size. The valve is sealed
shut when an engine is stopped to
prevent backfires.
At engine idle speed, maximum
vacuum defeats spring pressure
and the plunger moves to the
other end of the valve, allowing
minimal vapour flow.
At normal engine speeds, lower
vacuum levels allow the plunger
to move to a central position and
maximum vapour flow occurs.

Spring

= Vapour

To manifold

From
Seal seat crankcase
Valve

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