Diesel Emissions Reduction Using a Catalyst and Water Scrubber for Underground Mine Applications

Abstract

BS 6680 requires the efficiency of coalmine diesel engine exhaust pollution-reduction devices to be determined. The efficiency of an Englehard PTX catalyst and water scubber for both particulate and gaseous emissions reduction was determined using a 533 cc single-cylinder Petter AVI direct injection diesel engine. The separate and combined influence of the two exhaust devices was determined. The water scrubber acted as aflame trap as well as an exhaust particulate trap. The catalyst gave a substantial reduction in CO and UHC gaseous emissions and particulate SOF emissions for exhaust temperatures above 250°C. However, the high MW particulate SOF, including the PAH, had a 70 per cent reduction for catalyst temperatures as low as 200°C. The water scrubber was the dominant particulate removal device, although the catalyst removal efficiency was significant for temperatures above 250° C. The scrubber also had a significant influence on the reduction in NOx emissions, with a 30 per cent removal at high exhaust temperatures.