Measurement of regulated and unregulated exhaust emissions from a lawn mower with and without an oxidizing catalyst: A comparison of two different fuels

Relatively few emission characterization studies have been made on small en gines used in garden equipment. The present investigation focuses on exhaus t characterization from a lawn mower engine fueled with two different fuels in combination with and without an oxidizing catalyst. The compounds measu red in the exhaust are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, part iculates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, methane, ethane, ethene, ethano l, and nitrous oxide. A significant reduction can be achieved by the use of a catalyst By selection of the fuel, a significant reduction of certain ca rcinogenic compounds ("probably carcinogenic to humans" according to the IA RC; benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene) may be achieved. The highest red uction improvement is achieved through the combination of an environmentall y improved fuel, i.e., alkylate fuel, and a catalyst system. The data prese nted show that emissions from lawn mower engines are still relatively large although there is the potential for further improvements.