Gas chromatographic evaluation of effects of rotational speed and mileage on N2O emission from gasoline engines equipped with three-way catalytic converters

In this study an on-line gas chromatographic system was assembled and appli ed to investigate the effects of the rotational speed and mileage on the N2 O emission from gasoline four-stroke automotive engines equipped with a thr ee-way catalytic converter. The results obtained show that there is a certa in range of engine rotation speed at which the formation of N2O and the rem oval efficiencies of NOx and CO are enhanced simultaneously. The technical conditions of the engine estimated in terms of the mileage has a significan t effect increasing the N2O emission. The maximal emission level of N2O is approximately 30 ppmv for a car engine with a mileage of 52 000 km. The lev el is approximately five times higher than those for newer car engines with a mileage of 15 000 km under the same operating conditions. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.