Emission Control: Hydrocarbons (HC)

Emission Control
Hydrocarbons (HC)
•Resulting from the release of unburned fuel into the atmosphere.
•Produced by incomplete combustion or by fuel evaporation.
•Mostly related to ignition problems.
•Effect could be eye, throat, and lung irritation, and, possibly cancer.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
•Extremely toxic emission resulting from the release of partially
burned fuel (incomplete combustion of petroleum-based fuel).
•CO prevents human blood cells from carrying oxygen to body tissue.
•Symptoms are headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and fatigue.
•A rich air-fuel would increase CO; lean air-fuel mixture would lower
CO emissions.
Emission Control
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
•Produced by extremely high temperatures during combustion.
•Air consist of about 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
•With enough heat (above 2500ºF / 1370ºC), nitrogen and oxygen

in air-fuel mixture combines to form NOx emissions.
•An engine with high compression ratio, lean air-fuel mixture, and
high-temperature thermostat will produce high combustion heat,
resulting in formation of NOx.
Engine Modification Related to
Emission Control
Lower Compression Ratios
•Use of unleaded gasoline that permits use of catalytic converters and burns
completely to lower HC emissions.
•Lower combustion temperature = Lower NOx emissions.
Smaller Combustion Chamber Surface Volume

•Reduce HC emissions.
•Lowers the amount of heat dissipation out of the fuel mixture.
•Reduce the chance of fuel condensation.
Reduce Quench Areas in the Combustion Chambers

•Lower HC and CO emissions.
•Quench areas- movement of piston too close to the cylinder head.
•If too close, it tends to quench (put out) combustion and increase emissions
due to unburned fuel.
Vehicle Emission Control System
PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation System)
•At idle, high manifold vacuum pulls the plunger

for minimum vapour flow (prevents a lean air-
fuel mixture).
•During acceleration, intake manifold decreases.

This allows the PCV valve to move to a center
position for maximum flow.
•With engine off, a spring pushes the valve

against its seat, closing the valve. A backfire will
also close the valve.
PCV System Testing
•To quickly test a PCV valve, pull the valve out of the engine and shake it.
If the PCV valve does not rattle when shaken, replace the valve.
•With the engine running, place your finger over the PCV valve. There should
be suction present (idle speed drop 40-80rpm); if not, the hose may be plugged.
Evaporative Emission Control Systems (EVAP)
•Prevents toxic fuel system vapours from entering the atmosphere.
Parts
•Non-vented fuel tank cap – prevents fuel vapours from entering the atmosphere.
•Air Dome – hump formed at the top of the tank for fuel expansion.
•Charcoal Canister – stores vapours when the engine is not running.

- filled with active charcoal granules.
- charcoal is capable of absorbing fuel vapours.
•Purge Line/Valve – controls the flow of vapours from the canister to the intake
manifold.
- allows flow when engine reaches operating temperature and
is operating above idle speed.
Clean canister filter time to time.

Evaporative Emission Control Systems (EVAP)
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
•Allows burned gases to enter the engine intake manifold to help reduce NOx
•When exhaust gases are added to air-fuel mixture, they decrease peak
combustion temperatures.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
•Vacuum operated (Throttle Vacuum) When accelerated the throttle plate
opens, engine vacuum is applied to EGR, opening the diaphragm. Engine
exhaust can enter the intake manifold and combustion chamber.
EGR System Service
•System malfunction can cause stalling, rough idle, detonation, and poor fuel
economy.
•If stuck open, it will cause a lean air-fuel mixture, engine will run rough at idle,
or stall.
•If stuck closed, higher combustion temperatures can cause abnormal

combustion and knocking, raising NOx.
EGR System Service (Vacuum Type)
•Allow the engine to warm up, increase the engine speed to 2000-3000 rpm
very quickly, the EGR valve stem should move.
•Idle the engine, connect a vacuum pump, when vacuum is applied the engine
should miss or stall.
EGR System Service (Electronic Type)
•Most problems can be located by a scan tool.
•Symptoms will be similar to the vacuum type EGR.

Air Injection System
•Forces fresh air into the exhaust ports or catalytic converter to reduce HC/CO.
•Oxygen from the air injection system causes the unburned fuel to burn in the
exhaust system or the catalytic converter.
Parts of air injection system
Air Injection Pump is belt driven and forces air at low pressure into the system.
Diverter Valve keeps air from entering the exhaust system during deceleration.
Parts of air injection system
Air Distribution manifold is used to direct a stream of air toward each engine
exhaust valve.
Air Check Valve keeps exhaust gases from entering the air injection system.
Catalytic Converter
Types of Converters
Three-way Catalytic Converter
reduces HC, CO & NOx (Platinum
and Rhodium).
Dual-bed Catalytic Converter

normally has both a three-way
(reduction) and a
two-way (oxidation) catalyst.
•Mixing chamber is provided
between the two.
•Air is forced into the mixing
chamber to help burn the HC
and CO emissions.
Catalytic Converter Service
Exhaust back pressure test will check for a clogged catalytic converter.
•Remove the front oxygen sensor and install a pressure gauge.
•Start engine, read pressure at idle and at high speeds.
•If gauge reads too high, there is a restriction in the exhaust system.
•Remove one part at a time to isolate problem.

Emission Control
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Emission Control

•Produced by extremely high temperatures during combustion.

•Air consist of about 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.

•With enough heat (above 2500ºF / 1370ºC), nitrogen and oxygen

Smaller Combustion Chamber Surface Volume

Reduce Quench Areas in the Combustion Chambers

•At idle, high manifold vacuum pulls the plunger

•During acceleration, intake manifold decreases.

•With engine off, a spring pushes the valve

•Charcoal Canister – stores vapours when the engine is not running.

Clean canister filter time to time.

•If stuck closed, higher combustion temperatures can cause abnormal

EGR System Service (Electronic Type)

•Most problems can be located by a scan tool.

•Symptoms will be similar to the vacuum type EGR.

Dual-bed Catalytic Converter

•Remove the front oxygen sensor and install a pressure gauge.

•Start engine, read pressure at idle and at high speeds.

•Remove one part at a time to isolate problem.

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