Qualitative Characterisation of Trace Elements in Diesel Particulate Matter from In-Use Diesel Engine Passenger Vehicles by Means of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Abstract

In this research, we applied laser-plasma spectroscopy technique for the measurement of trace chemical elements in the exhaust emissions generated from in-use diesel engine passenger vehicles. We use high resolution laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for diagnostics of soot and particulate matter (PM). Here we analysed soot and PM, extracted from exhaust manifold part, from different passenger vehicles that are used in daily life environment. The main aim of this study is to reveal the trace chemical elements in different PM matrices. The presence of trace elements in exhaust emissions can originate from different sources: from injected fuel type and fuel additives, engine lubricants, engine combustion process, incomplete catalytic reaction, inefficiency or wear out of PM filtering devices, dysfunctions or failures of engine or vehicle or even information related to polluted intake air.