Effect of air and fuel supercharging on emissions from an agricultural engine

Abstract

Pollutant gases emitted by engines depend mainly on the applied load and engine speed. This study quantifies the emissions of pollutant gases from a diesel-cycle engine, while changing the configuration of the air and fuel supply system. We analyzed the variables particulate matter (g kWh^-1), carbon monoxide (g kWh^-1), nitrogen oxides (g kWh^-1), oxygen (%vol.) and hydrocarbons (g kWh^-1), in different engine configurations (aspirated; aspirated + service; turbocharged + service; and turbocharged). Dynamometric experiments were carried out by means of the power take-off of an agricultural tractor. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a two-factorial scheme with three replicates. The results indicate that engine supercharging, compared to the original configuration, significantly reduces the particulate matter of gases and carbon monoxide, but increases the levels of nitrogen oxides emitted. The load applied to the engine was directly related to the emissions, except for oxygen.