Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Influence of oxygenated fuels on the emissions from three pre-1985 light-duty passenger vehicles

Journal Article · · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)
; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
  2. ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc., Research Triangle park, NC (United States)

Tailpipe and evaporative emissions from three pre-1985 passenger motor vehicles operating on an oxygenated blend fuel and on a nonoxygenated base fuel were characterized. Emission data were collected for vehicles operating over the Federal Test Procedure at 40, 75, and 90[degree]F to simulate ambient driving conditions. The two fuels tested were a commercial summer grade regular gasoline (the nonoxygenated base fuel) and an oxygenated fuel containing 9.5 percent methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), more olefins, and fewer aromatics than the base fuel. The emissions measured were total hydrocarbons (THCs), speciated hydrocarbons, speciated aldehydes, carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO[sub x]), benzene, and 1,3-butadiene. This study showed no pattern of tailpipe regulated emission reduction when oxygenated fuel was used. Tailpipe emissions from the 1984 Buick Century without a catalyst and the 1977 Mustang with catalyst decreased with the MTBE fuel. However, emissions from the 1984 Buick Century and the 1980 Chevrolet Citation, both fitted with catalysts increased. The vehicles emitted more 1,3-butadiene and, in general, more NO[sub x] when operated with the base fuel. THC, CO, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene emissions from both fuels and all vehicles, in general, decreased with increasing test temperature, whereas NO[sub x] emissions, in general, increased with increasing test temperature. 14 refs., 1 fig., 9 tabs.

OSTI ID:
7249716
Journal Information:
Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 44:6; ISSN 1047-3289; ISSN JAWAEB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English