Emission Controls

Emission Controls

Before beginning to understand emission controls you should know the reason why emission controls were installed into the automobile.

1. To reduce the amount of pollutants entering the atmosphere .

Emission Controls

Smog is a term developed from smoke and fog Smog is form when airborne pollutants is formed with oxygen and other atmospheric gasses to produce a grayish yellow smoke. The resulting smoke is called photochemical smog.

Smog

Smog is can be a major problem in larger cities (New York and LA) Smog can be harmful to

A. Humans B. Plants C. Animals and even effect paint rubber and other materials.

Smog

One of largest producer of photochemical smog is the automotive internal combustion engine. The EPA (environmental protection agency) begin putting restriction on automotive manufactories in the mid 60.

Motor Vehicle Emissions

Motor vehicle emission are emission produce by motor vehicles. They include

A. Hydrocarbons (HC) Carbon monoxide (CO) Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

Exhaust Gasses

Hydrocarbons (HC) are emission of unburned petroleum products being released into the atmosphere. All petroleum products and made of hydrocarbons (hydrogen and carbon compounds) this includes:

Gasoline Diesel

LP-gas. motor oil.

Exhaust Gasses

Hydrocarbons are produced because of incomplete fuel combustion or fuel evaporation. Hydrocarbons emission is considered a hazardous form of air pollution because of.

Eye. Throat. Lung irritation. And possibility cancer.

Exhaust Gasses

In north Carolina a vehicle must not exceed 220 ppm of hydrocarbons emissions. High hydrocarbon emission are the results of a:

cylinder misfire. Improper ignition timing Worn cylinder rings (pumping oil into the combustion chamber

Exhaust Gasses

Carbon monoxide emission are exhaust emission that is the result of partially burned fuel. A high carbon monoxide emission can be caused by a:

Restricted or dirty air cleaner. Advance ignition timing. Clogged fuel injectors.

Exhaust Gasses

Oxides of nitrogen, (NOx) are emission produced by extreme heat. Air consist of approximately 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen When combustion chamber temperature reaches 2500 degrees F or 1370 degrees C nitrogen and oxygen combine to produce oxide of nitrogen (NOx)

In North Carolina the standard for Carbon Monoxide is 1.2 % of the total exhaust output.
Muffler
HC 220 ppm CO 1.2% Exhaust output

Exhaust Gasses

Oxides of nitrogen is responsible for the dirty brown color is SMOG. NOx is a eye and respiratory irritant. Newer high compression, learn air fuel mixture and hotter running engine produces more NOx than earlier engine.

Exhaust Gasses

The same factors that increases NOx will tend to improve fuel mileage and lower HC and CO2 production. This means that to increase fuel economy and lower HC and CO2 production NOx will increase. For this reason emission controls have beedn added to lower all form of emissions

Exhaust Gasses
HC increases
NOx increases

Richer

14.7 1 AFR

Leaner

NOx decreases

Hc and Co decreases

Exhaust Gasses

Before understanding emission controls we need to first understand where they come from. Particulates: are solid particle of carbon soot and fuel additives that blow out the tail pipe. Engine crank case blow by. Caused by heating of oil and unburned fuel vapors that blow past the engine rings.

Exhaust Gasses

Fuel vapors: different chemicals that enter the atmosphere as fuel evaporates. Engine exhaust gasses: are harmful chemical that are produced inside the combustion chamber and are blow outr the tail pipe.

HC Exhaust manifold Catalytic Converter CO

Solid particulate

Fuel Tank
Air Fuel Fuel Fuel Fuel Pump

Vapors

Exhaust Gasses

Automotive manufactures agree the best way to lower exhaust emission is to burn all the fuel entering the combustion chamber. Modern engine have introduced several modification to ensure all fuel entering the combustion chamber is burned.

Exhaust Gasses

Some engine modification are: Lower compression ratio, by lowering compression ratio vehicle can burn unleaded fuel. The use of unleaded fuel allows for catalytic converters that help reduce HC and CO emissions. Lower compression ratio also lower combustion temperature reducing NOx emission.

Exhaust Gasses

Smaller combustion chambers, allows for more heat to remain inside the combustion chamber that can aid in the burning of fuel. Reduce quench areas, the areas between the piston and the cylinder head is the quench area. If this areas is to close fuel will not burn completely increasing HC and CO emissions. Modern engine are design to reduce high quench areas.

Exhaust Gasses

Quench area

Exhaust Gasses

Decrease valve overlap, is used to decrease exhaust emission. A larger valve overlap increases power but dilutes incoming fuel mixture and requires a richer air fuel mixture at lower engine speed therefore increasing HC and CO emissions.

Exhaust Gasses
Overlap

Intake

Exhaust

Exhaust Gasses

Higher combustion chamber temperature, are used to reduce HC and CO emissions.

Today vehicles used hot thermostats than earlier model helping to increase combustion chamber temperature.

Leaner air-fuel mixtures help fuel burn better lower HC and CO emissions. Wider spark plug gaps, are used to burn the leaner fuel mixture and helps prevent spark plug fouling.

Exhaust Gasses

Wider spark plug gap

Some are .080 thousands

Thermostats are now 190 degrees

Learning Quiz

1. When is photochemical smog formed?

A. when airborne pollutants is formed with oxygen and other atmospheric gasses B. When Oxygen is mixed water inside the catalytic converter. C. When exhaust gasses is heated to over 2500 degrees D. All the above

Learning Quiz

2. Smog can be harmful to:

A. Humans B. Plants C. Rubber and medals All the above

Learning Quiz

3.Technician A says CO is a hazardous exhaust emission. Technician B says HC is a hazardous exhaust emission. Who is correct?

A. Technician A only B. Technician B only C. Both technician A and B D. Neither technician A nor B

Learning Quiz

4. Oxides of Nitrogen is produced when:

A. Combustion chamber temperature is to cold. B. Combustion chamber temperature is too hot. C. Atmospheric condition is humid. D. all the above

Learning Quiz

5. High hydrocarbon are caused by:

A. Cylinder misfire B. Dirty air filter C. Low fuel pressure D. Defective air filter.

Learning Quiz

6. A rich fuel mixture will cause and increase in:

A. Hydrocarbons B. Oxides of Nitrogen's NOx C. Both a and B D. Neither A nor B

Learning Quiz

7. In North Carolina the maximum amount of Hydrocarbon emission allowed by a vehicle is:

A. 1000 ppm B. 1.2% by exhaust volume C. 220 ppm D. 1% by exhaust volume

Learning Quiz

8. Technician A says Oxides of Nitrogen emission increases when combustion chamber temperature decreases. Technician B says Hydrocarbon emission is the result of a cylinder misfire. Who is correct?

A Technician A only C. A and B

B. Technician B only D. Neither A nor B

Learning Quiz

9. The best way to decrease exhaust emission is to:

A. Increase valve overlap. B. Increase compression Ratios. C. Increase combustion chamber size. D. Burn all fuel enter the combustion chamber.

Learning Quiz

10. Technician A says crankcase blowby is not a source of vehicle emission. Technician B says modern vehicle have use unleaded fuel to increase emissions and allow for the use of catlic converters. Who is correct?
A. Technician A only C. A and B B. Technician B only D. Neither A nor B

Vehicle Emission Control SyEngine Performancestems

There are several different types of emission control system used on modern vehicles. Positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) is used to recalculate engine crankcase fumes back into the combustion chamber.

Vehicle Emission Control

A PCV valve uses manifold vacuum to draw blow-by gasses from the engine into the intake manifold for reburying by the engine. In earlier years automotive manufactories uses road draft tubes to remove crankcase blowby gasses.

Vehicle Emission Control

The uses of road drift tube allowed for blowby gasses containing HC, CO, particulates, sulfur and small amounts of water to be vented in the atmosphere. At idle when there is high engine vacuum the PCV value is pulled open to remove blow-by gasses from inside the engine.

Vehicle Emission Control

At part throttle when vacuum is lower a spring inside the PCV valve forces the valve partially closed. But still allows for some blowby gasses to be vented back into the intake manifold for burning by the engine.

Vehicle Emission Control

When engine Vacuum is High PCV valve plunger is nearly closed When engine vacuum is low plunger Opens. Allowing exhaust gasses into Engine.

PCV Plunger

Typical PCV valve

Evaporative Emissions Control Systems EVAP The EVAP system prevents Hydrocarbons in the form of fuel vapors from entering the atmosphere even when the vehicle is not running. An EVAP system is considered a closed system. Fuel vapor are stored in a charcoal canister when the engine is off.

Evaporative Emissions Control Systems EVAP

When the engine is started vacuum pulls fuel vapors into the engine fur burning. EVAP system different from per emission vehicle because no fuel or vapor is vented into the atmosphere.

Unvented Fuel Cap

Intake Manifold Vacuum

Rollover Valve

Charcoal Canister
Fuel Tank

A rollover valve is uses to prevent fuel spillage in case of a rollover. A liquid-vapor separator is sometime used to prevent liquid fuel from entering the charcoal canister. A charcoal canister is used to store fuel vapor when the engine is not operating.

Most modern vehicles electrically control the EVAP system to ensure a cleaner burning engine. The EVAP system uses purge lines to connect the fuel tank to the charcoal canister and the intake manifold.

12 Volts with engine on

PCM
EVAP Solenoid
Rollover Valve

Fuel Tank
Charcoal Canister

Enhanced EVAP system

An enhanced EVAP system has the following additional components.

Fuel tank pressure sensor: This sensor monitor internal fuel tank pressure Canister Vent Solenoid: An electrically operated solenoid that replaces the Fresh air valve on earlier systems Service Port: is a test point located in the engine compartment and is used for testing the EVAP system

Enhanced EVAP system

A normally open purge solenoid allows fresh air to enter the charcoal when in purge mode. An enhanced EVAP system requires the uses of a bi-directional scan tool for several diagnostic procedures.

EVAP Solenoid

12 Volts When ignition is on

PCM
Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor

Engine

Test port

Rollover Valve Charcoal Canister Fuel Tank

Exhaust Gas Recirculation System (EGR)

An EGR system has two important jobs 1. The recirculation system is used to burn un-burns gasses (HC and CO) By recirculation of un-burn gasses lower emissions can be achieved. 2.By Lowering combustion chamber temperature. By lowering combustion chamber temperature NOx emission can be lowered.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation System (EGR)

Vacuum Line

EGR Control Solenoid PCM Controlled

Exhaust Gasses To EGR valve

EGR Valve

Vacuum source

Vacuum Gauge
Vacuum off throttle

Exhaust Gasses Exhaust Gasses to Engine

Exhaust Gas Recirculation System (EGR)

Later model vehicles use an electronic EGR value. The PCM is used to control the flow of vacuum to the EGR valve. By controlling vacuum to the EGR valve better exhaust gas metering can be obtained.

Electronic EGR Valve

EGR Solenoid

PCM

Intake

Throttle Position Sensor

Vacuum present when Solenoid open by PCM

EGR Valve

Charcoal Canister

To better control EGR flow later model vehicles Have begin using digital EGR valves. A digital EGR valve is constructed using 3 EGR valve and 3 Electrical solenoid

Top of Digital EGR Valve

PCM

12 from ignition

Bottom of Digital EGR valve

Ports to Intake manifold

Emission Quiz

1.Two important job or the EGR valve is to:

A. Increases ignition timing and lower compression ratio. B. Increase HC and CO emissions C. Decrease HC emission and increase ignition timing. D. Recirculation of unburned gasses and lower combustion chamber temperature.

Emission Quiz
2.Technician A says that a PCV valve is used to remove blow-by from the crankcase. Technician B says the PCV valve is used to prevent HC from being vented into the atmosphere. Who is correct? A Both A and B B. Neither A nor B C. A only D. B only

Emission Quiz
3. Technician A says that the EGR valve should operate at idle with the engine cold. Technician A says the EGR flow should increase combustion chamber temperature. Who is correct? A. Technician A only B. Technician B Only C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Emission Quiz

4.Technician A says lower combustion chamber temperature will increase NOx. Technician B says increasing combustion chamber temperature will lower HC. Who is correct. A. Technician A only B. Technician B only C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Emission Quiz

5.Technician A says NOx is not a harmful exhaust emission. Technician A says that O2 is not a harmful exhaust emission. Who is correct? Technician A only Technician B only Both Technician A and B Neither A nor B

Emission Quiz

6. A says a lean misfire can be caused by stuck closed EGR valve.

A. True B. False

Emission Quiz

7. Photochemical SMOG is harmful to:

A. Humans B. Plants C. Rubber and plastic D. All the Above

Emission Quiz

8. Technician A says the charcoal canister is used to store fuel vapors. Technician B says the charcoal canister vents fuel vapor into the intake manifold. Who is correct? A. Technician A only B. Technician B only C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Emission Quiz

9. Digital EGR valves are controlled.

A. Mechanically B. By the PCM C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Emission Quiz

10. Technician A says fuel vapor from the fuel tank should be vented into the atmosphere. Technician B says a defective PCV valve can cause engine oil to become diluted. Who is correct?

A. Technician A only C. Both A and B

B. Technician B only D. Neither A nor B

Catalytic Converters

In the mid 70s automotive manufacture begin installing catalytic converters to assist in meeting tougher emission standards. A Catalytic is a material that can speed-up chemical action without changing itself.

Catalytic Converters

Automotive catalytic converter are made of platinum, palladium and rhodium or a combination of these materials. Platinum and palladium are used to change HC and CO into CO2 and Water. Rhodium acts to reduce NOx emissions

Catalytic Converters

Due to enhance emissions standard later model catalytic converters now use cerium to attract and release oxygen inside the converter to aid in the process of changing HC and CO to CO2 and H2o

Catalytic Converters

The catalyst agent inside a catalytic converter is either ceramic beads or a honeycomb-shaped blocks. All catalytic converters are encased in a stainless steal housing. NOTE: stainless steal is used on newer vehicle with catalytic converters because the production of water will rust traditional exhaust system medals in only a few years

Catalytic Converters
Catalytic Converter

Engine

HC and CO

CO2

H2o

Exhaust Flow from engine through converter

Catalytic Converters

Stainless steal catalytic converter housing are design to resist heat. Before the catalytic converter can operate an operating temperature of around 300 degrees F must be reached.

Catalytic Converters

This is a honey-comb block type catalytic converter. Exhaust gasses flow thru the honey-comb block

Catalytic Converters

There are a few different types catalytic converters.

Monolithic Converter Two way converter Three way converter Dual bed converter

Catalytic Converters

Monolithic converter uses a ceramic honey-comb catalytic Small ceramic beads converter are referred to as a pellet type catalytic converter

Catalytic Converters

Two way catalytic converters only convert HC and CO With a two way converter NOx is not converted Two way converter are coated with platinum only Two way converter are sometime referred to as oxidation converters

Catalytic Converters

Three way catalytic converters can convert all three exhaust gasses

HC CO NOx

Catalytic Converters

A three way catalytic converter is usually plated with rhodium and platinum Three way converter are also called reduction converters.

Catalytic Converters

Dual bed catalytic converter is an oxidation and reduction converter built into one unit.

CO, HC and NOx Mixing Chamber

CO2 and H20

Catalytic Converters

Dual bed catalytic converters must be at an operating temperature of 130 degrees F When the engine is cold additional air is forced into the exhaust manifold to aid in the burning and reduction of HC and CO

Catalytic Converters

On a warn engine air is forced into the converter to aid in burning exhaust gasses. As exhaust gasses flows iinto the front part of the converter HC,CO and NOx is reduced. As exhaust flow into the mixing chamber additional air is added to continue the burning process. Exhaust gasses is the passed into the rear part of the converter to reduce HC,CO2 and NOx ever more.