Analysis of the Particulates Emitted by Internal Combustion Engines

Analysis of Particles Emitted by Combustion in Engines — Diesel engine particulate mat- ter (PM) emissions are nowadays globally regulated and limited through a driving cycle measurement. Thus, a known flow of diluted exhaust gases is sampled and filtered. The weighing of the filter before and after the test allows the determination of the soot mass emitted by the vehicle. If these values are useful to limit the pollution of the vehicles, they do not make it possible to the researchers to answer all their interrogations. Indeed, those need more precise information on the nature and the composition of the particles so, for example, to better understand and simulate the phenomena governing their formation. This information also makes it possible to know their toxicity, to compare in a finer way the emissions of various types of engines, Diesel or spark ignited, or to evaluate the influence of the fuel, the lubricant or the after-treatment system. These data are useful for both the car manufacturer and petroleum industry and also for professionals of health and those of environment. The various methods of sampling and analyses here described make it possible to obtain this more complete information on the particles such as the volatile or soluble compound contents, the content of sulphates, polycyclic aromatic compounds, metal, etc. Trace Analysis in the Petroleum Industry / Analyse de traces dans l'industrie petroliere