Researches of noxious components of exhaust gases conversion occurs in catalytic converter during a start-up of compression ignition engine in lowered temperature

This article presents the results of the tests of catalytic reduction of carbon oxide and hydrocarbon emission during the self-ignition engine start-up. The tests were performed at the station in the climate chamber at lowered ambient temperatures: –7 ,-15 and –20 centigrade. A heated three-function platinum-palladium catalytic reactor with a metal monolith was used in the tests. The test methodology included a measurement of toxic fume concentraction upstream and downstream the catalytic reactor at simultaneous measurement of the start-up parameters and measurement of temperatures in selected engine and catalytic reactor locations. A period of the cold engine start-up is characterized by a relatively high carbon oxide and hydrocarbon emission. The level of that emissions increases as the ambient temperature gets lower. As a result of the tests the influence of heating up the reactor on its operation during the selfignition engine start-up was identified.Carbon oxide and hydrocarbon emission during the start-up period can be reduced by initial heating up the catalytic reactor before the start-up by means of an electric heater. When heating up the reactor surface up to 400 centigrade at ambient temperature of –7 centigrade, CO concentration can be reduced by 80...90 per cent and the hydrocarbon concentration can be reduced by app. 70 per cent on the average.