The influence of the heating time of a catalyst-covered glow plug on the exhaust emissions from a diesel engine

Abstract

The paper discusses the application of an in-cylinder catalyst allowing a reduction of the exhaust emissions from a diesel engine. Its placement in the combustion chamber, the area where the process of combustion takes place, allows reducing the emissions (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter) ‘at source’. The paper presents the possibilities of boosting the efficiency of catalysts in diesel engines by extending the time of heating of a glow plug (the catalyst applied on the glow plug). The tests were performed for the following conditions: no heating (marked 0+0), glow plug heating for 60 s after engine start (marked 0+60), glow plug heating prior to engine start for 60 s and glow plug heating for 60 s after engine cold start (marked 60+60). An improvement in the efficiency of oxidation of the exhaust components was observed as the glow plug heating time increased.