Inter-Comparison of Particle and Gaseous Pollutant Emissions of a Euro 4 Motorcycle at Two Laboratories

The Euro 4 regulation, applicable since 2016 for L-category vehicles (i.e., two and three-wheelers, and mini cars) reduced the emission limits, but also introduced a new cycle, the WMTC (World Harmonized Motorcycle Test Cycle). The emission studies of Euro 4 motorcycles are limited, and most importantly there are no published studies comparing the results of different laboratories applying the new cycle. In this study we compared the particle and gaseous pollutants of one Euro 4 motorcycle measured in two laboratories in 2017 and 2020. The gaseous pollutant results had a variance (one standard deviation of the means) of 0.5% for CO2, 4–19% for CO, NOx, HC (hydrocarbons) and SPN (Solid Particle Number). The particulate matter mass results had higher variance of 50–60%. Additional tests with open configuration to mimic dilution at the tailpipe gave equivalent results to the closed configuration for the gaseous pollutants and SPN. The total particles (including volatiles) had significant differences between the two configurations, with the closed configuration giving higher results. The main conclusion of this study is that the new procedures have very good reproducibility, even for the SPN that is not regulated for L-category vehicles. However, the measurement of total particles needs attention due to the high sensitivity of volatile particles to the sampling conditions.

Effect of driving resistances on energy demand and exhaust emission in motor vehicles

Among the fundamental factors affecting the emissions of internal combustion engines is the resistance to motion acting on the car. This is an important factor to be taken into account when testing cars in conditions simulated on a chassis dynamometer. The dependence of the driving resistance function on vehicle speed is determined on the basis of various methods, the most frequently used of which is the so-called alternative method specified in procedures for the type approval of motor vehicles with respect to the emission of pollutants in exhaust gases. The values adopted in accordance with the alternative method differ from the actual resistance acting on the car in road conditions. This is one of the reasons why the emission of pollutants and the fuel consumption of an engine in real road conditions differs from the values given by the car manufacturer, including the emission limits specified in the standards. This paper presents an evaluation of the influence of driving resistance on the energy demand and emission of pollutants in the exhaust gases by sample passenger car with SI engine fuelled by petrol and LPG.

Assessment of air pollution control technologies to reduce SOx emission from thermal oxidizer for oil and gas industry

Many countries have put in place, various legislations that govern air emission limits/pollutants from the industries. The common pollutants being monitored are Sulphur Oxides (SOx), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), particulate matters and dioxins. In Malaysia, the regulatory requirement aims to regulate emissions of air pollutants from industrial activities including oil and gas, power plants, waste fuel plants and asphalt mixing plants. One of the emission limits under Clean Air Regulation (CAR2014) is emission level for SOx should be less than 600 mg/m3 (reference condition at 3 % of O2, 273 K, 101.3 kPa) whereby sum of SO2 and SO3 expressed as SOx. Excessive SOx emission can affect both health and the environment. Aligning with the regulation requirement, Group Technical Solution (GTS) under PETRONAS has embarked on assessment of technology solutions to meet the emission limit on SOx emission limit for thermal oxidizers which cover new and existing facilities. This paper describes on the work methodology and approach adopted during the assessment. The objective of the assessment is to determine the suitable process technology to reduce SOx emission in order to achieve the desired emission limit for flue gas at outlet stream of thermal oxidizer. Thorough evaluation was carried out based on proposal submission from various technology providers and Vendors. The selection criteria was developed and established. For existing thermal oxidizers, the assessment is more complex taking into consideration the nature of brownfield project and to ensure the proposed modification has minor impact to operability and maintainability of existing facilities. This study has successfully enabled identification of feasible process technologies such as Caustic Scrubber, Seawater Flue Gas Desulfurization and Ammonia based Desulfurization to meet the desired emission limit at thermal oxidizer outlet for Oil and Gas Industry and supporting environmental protection. The selected technology is varies based on plant/project specific requirement. Among main considerations are the by-product management, consumable and utility consumption as well as compatibility of the technology with existing plant on shutdown requirement.

Research of ecological indicators of two-way vehicle in stationary conditions

The article concerns the research on the emission of pollutants of a rail-road tractor in two stationary research tests. The purpose of the tests was to carry out control tests of pollutant emissions and their analysis. The object used during the works was approved in accordance with the Stage V standard, which requires measurements of emissivity both in stationary, dynamic and real conditions. Despite the requirement to test engines installed on a vehicle during their normal duty cycle with PEMS, the emission limits measured in this test have not yet been defined. Therefore, the work below focuses on the stationary test cycle. The measurements were carried out in accordance with the combustion engine operating points described in the approval test, and then compared with the modernized NRSC test. It contains modified measuring points and rotational speeds of the crankshaft, adopted on the basis of the most common operating parameters of agricultural tractor combustion engines in real operating conditions. The measurements were performed with the use of a mobile dynamometer and devices for measuring emissions of harmful exhaust gas compounds and recording on-board data. In the test, the vehicle drive system worked at fixed operating points, with defined values of crankshaft rotational speed and load. Based on the recorded data on the concentrations of pollutants in the exhaust gases, the specific emission of the object was determined. In the final stage of the work, these data were used to perform a comparative analysis with the emission limits contained in the standard.

Pilot-Scale Experiences with Aerobic Treatment and Chemical Processes of Industrial Wastewaters from Electronics and Semiconductor Industry

TMAH is quaternary ammonium salt, consists of a methylated nitrogen molecule, and is widely used in the electronics industry as a developer and silicon etching agent. This substance is toxic and fatal if ingested. It can also cause skin burns, eye damage, and organ damage. Moreover, TMAH exhibits long-lasting toxicity to aquatic systems. Despite this known toxicity, the authorities currently do not provide emission limits (i.e., discharge concentrations) for wastewater by EU regulation. The current scenario necessitates the study of the processes for industrial wastewater containing TMAH. This work aims to present a successful example of the treatment process for the degradation of TMAH waste solutions of the E&S industry. Research was conducted at the pilot scale, and the process feasibility (both technical and economic) and its environmental sustainability are demonstrated. This process, which treats three exhausted solutions with a high concentration of toxic substances, is considered to be innovative.

“the Green Paradox Phenomenon: A European Union Empirical Application”

The green paradox describes an undesirable and socially inefficient phenomenon caused by the expansionary reactions of the Supply as a response to the various mechanisms that combat climate change. This article seeks to understand and aggregate the different drivers of this phenomenon portrayed in the literature, as well the empirical evidence associated and the proposed solutions. For this purpose, compilation and systematization of the various scientific contributions up to date in this context have been elaborated, which led to the identification of five major drivers of the paradox: (i) Environmental Taxes, (ii) Green Supports, (iii) Uncertain Property Rights, (iv) Temporal Lag and (v) Emission limits (Cap). Moreover, we evaluate its effective impact on the European scenario in the last two decades, and we have obtained evidences that the hiatus in the implementation of the European emission cap mechanism has generated a strong green paradox. Moreover, a robust reflection regarding the economic and environmental adequacy of green supports should be considered due to its questionable net benefits. Lastly, we offer some recommendations of public environmental policies that escape the paradoxical phenomenon, through the enunciation of the conditionalities of these provocateurs.

Influence of Cement Type on Stability of Concrete Mixture

The continuous tightening of emission limits for the production of harmful substances into the air and the rising price of emission allowances gradually force construction material producers to limit the use of binders with a high content of Portland clinker. In the production of concrete, this is achieved by using admixtures, which make it possible to reduce Portland cement doses. However, the single European market uses a method that maximises the use of blened cements, making it easier for cement plants to meet emission limits while not reducing cement production. The performed experiment focused on the possibility of using CEM II and CEM III cements and their comparison with CEM I cement not only in terms of the physical–mechanical parameters of concrete but also in terms of the stability of concrete mixtures made from these cements. The stability of concrete mixtures was monitored using the water separation value in the pressure method. In the experiment, the relationship between water separation and physical parameters of cement was explored.

New learnings and strategies for meeting future recovery boiler particulate emission limits with existing electrostatic precipitators

It is foreseeable that recovery boiler particulate emission limits in the United States and Canada will continue to get more stringent with time. Because of this, continued improvement of emission control equipment, as well as a better understanding of how operating parameters affect performance, are necessary. Although electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are often viewed as a mature technology, many improvements in ESP technology continue to be developed. In recent years, academic efforts have improved the understanding of recovery boiler operating conditions on ESP performance. Additionally, advancements in materials, power supplies, and design continue to improve the efficiency and reliability of ESPs. This paper discusses how recovery boiler and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) operating factors affect ESP performance based on process simulations and practical experience, and how these learnings can be implemented to improve future operation of existing ESPs.