Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.

Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

1. The list of the auto exhaust gases that contributes are

a. The greatest contributor to air pollution is the automobile. Each year, motor vehicles
emit about 1,000 tons of toxic and carcinogen compounds into the air. The average
vehicle emits about a half a ton of air pollution each year. As you may know, several
steps have been taken over the last 20 years to improve the emissions from
automobiles nation wide.
b. Air pollution from cars and trucks is split into primary and secondary pollution.
Primary pollution is emitted directly into the atmosphere; secondary pollution
results from chemical reactions between pollutants in the atmosphere. The following
are the major pollutants from motor vehicles:
c. Hydrocarbons (HC). These pollutants react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of
sunlight to form ground level ozone, a primary ingredient in smog. Though beneficial
in the upper atmosphere, at the ground level this gas irritates the respiratory
system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity
d. Nitrogen oxides (NOx). These pollutants cause lung irritation and weaken the body's
defences against respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza. In addition,
they assist in the formation of ground level ozone and particulate matter
e. Particulate matter (PM). These particles of soot and metals give smog its murky
colour. Fine particles — less than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair — pose
the most serious threat to human health, as they can penetrate deep into lungs. PM
is a direct (primary) pollution and a secondary pollution from hydrocarbons, nitrogen
oxides, and sulphur dioxides. Diesel exhaust is a major contributor to PM pollution
f. Carbon monoxide (CO). This odourless, colourless, and poisonous gas is formed by
the combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and is emitted primarily from cars and
trucks. When inhaled, CO blocks oxygen from the brain, heart, and other vital
organs. Foetuses, new-born children, and people with chronic illnesses are especially
susceptible to the effects of CO.

g. Sulphur dioxide (SO2). Power plants and motor vehicles create this pollutant by
burning sulfur-containing fuels, especially diesel. Sulfur dioxide can react in the
atmosphere to form fine particles and poses the largest health risk to young children
and asthmatics
h. Greenhouse gases. Motor vehicles also emit pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, that
contribute to global climate change. In fact, cars and trucks account for over one-
fifth of the United States' total global warming pollution; transportation, which
includes freight, trains, and airplanes, accounts for around thirty percent of all heat-
trapping gas emissions

Pollution reduction:
Emission standards focus on reducing pollutants contained in the exhaust gases from
vehicles as well as from industrial flue gas stacks and other air pollution exhaust sources in
various large-scale industrial facilities such as petroleum refineries, natural gas processing
plants, petrochemical plants and chemical production plants. However, these are often
referred to as flue gases. Catalytic converters in cars intend to break down the pollution of
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

exhaust gases using a catalyst. Scrubbers in ships intend to remove the sulphur dioxide
(SO2) of marine exhaust gases. The regulations on marine sulphur dioxide emissions are
tightening, however only a small number of special areas worldwide have been designated
for low sulphur diesel fuel use only.

2. Explain the various methods adopted for the removal of carbon particles from
smoke.
A. Source Correction Methods:
Industries make a major contribution towards causing air pollution. Formation of
pollutants can be prevented and their emission can be minimised at the source
itself.By carefully investigating the early stages of design and development in
industrial processes e.g., those methods which have minimum air pollution po-
tential can be selected to accomplish air-pollution control at source itself.
(i) Substitution of raw materials:
If the use of a particular raw material results in air pollution, then it
should be substituted by another purer grade raw material which reduces the
formation of pollutants. Thus,
(a) Low sulphur fuel which has less pollution potential can be used as
an alternative to high Sulphur fuels.
(ii) Process Modification:
The existing process may be changed by using modified techniques to control
emission at source.
(a) If coal is washed before pulverization, then fly-ash emissions are
considerably reduced.
(b) If air intake of boiler furnace is adjusted, then excess Fly-ash
emissions at power plants can be reduced.
B. Diffusion of Pollutants in Air:
Dilution of the contaminants in the atmosphere is another approach to the control
of air pollution. If the pollution source releases only a small quantity of the
contaminants then pollution is not noticeable as these pollutants easily diffuse into
the atmosphere but if the quantity of air contaminants is beyond the limited capacity
of the environment to absorb the contaminants then pollution is caused.
However, dilution of the contaminants in the atmosphere can be accomplished
through the use of tall stacks which penetrate the upper atmospheric layers and
disperse the contaminants so that the ground level pollution is greatly reduced. The
height of the stacks is usually kept 2 to 21/2 times the height of nearby structures.
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

Dilution of pollutants in air depend on atmospheric temperature, speed and

direction of the wind. The disadvantage of the method is that it is a short term
contact measure which in reality brings about highly undesirable long range effects

C. Vegetation:
Plants contribute towards controlling air-pollution by utilizing carbon dioxide and
releasing oxygen in the process of photosynthesis. This purifies the air (removal of
gaseous pollutant—CO2) for the respiration of men and animals.
Gaseous pollutants like carbon monoxide are fixed by some plants, namely, Coleus
Bulmer, Ficus variegate and Phascolus Vulgaris. Species of Pinups, Quercus, Pyro’s,
Juniper’s and Vitis depollute the air by metabolising nitrogen oxides. Plenty of trees
should be planted especially around those areas which are declared as high-risk
areas of pollution.
D. Zoning:
This method of controlling air pollution can be adopted at the planning stages of the
city. Zoning advocates setting aside of separate areas for industries so that they are
far removed from the residential areas. The heavy industries should not be located
too close to each other.
New industries, as far as possible, should be established away from larger cities (this
will also keep a check on increasing concentration of urban population in a few
larger cities only) and the locational decisions of large industries should be guided by
regional planning. The industrial estate of Bangalore is divided into three zones
namely light, medium and large industries. In Bangalore and Delhi very large
industries are not permitted.
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

3. . How do internal combustion engines cause air pollution?

Types of engine emissions Exhaust emissions
Unburnt hydrocarbons (HC)
Oxides of carbon (CO, CO2)
Oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2)
Oxides of sulphur (SO2, SO3)
Particulates
Soot and smoke
Non-exhaust emissions
Emissions from fuel tank
Emissions from carburettor
Blow-by gases and fuel vapours from crankcase
Incomplete combustion
Improper mixing:-
 Due to improper mixing of lack of swirl fuel partical do notfound
enough oxygen to react
Flame Quenching:
 As the flame goes close to the wall it gets quenched at the walls laving
unburnt fuel
 Expansion of gases in power stroke retards combustion which causes
HC emission
 High exhaust gas contamination also result in flame quenching t low
loads and idle Conditions

This problem can be solved by using multiple spark plugs at appropriate

locations and restricting bore and stroke of combustion chamber
Exhaust valve leakage
High pressure during compression and combustion, causes mixture to escape
around exhaust valve and between the valve and valve seat
When the exhaust valve opens, fuel in crevice volumes gets carried into
exhaust manifold
This does not contribute much towards pollution (nearly 2-3 %)
Valve overlap
Valve overlap is generally kept to ensure complete combustion and
proper scavenging
During valve overlap both intake and exhaust valve are simultaneously open,
which can cause some fresh charge to directly escape with the exhaust
As valve overlap is in terms of crank angles, overlap time in milliseconds is
high during low speed and idle

Thus effect on pollution is most severe in these conditions

Properly located intake and exhaust valves can minimize this type of pollution
Absorption due to deposits on wall
Fuel and other gas particles get absorbed by the deposits on walls of
combustion chamber
This absorption is a function of gas pressure
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800
As pressure is high during compression and combustion , rate of absorption is
high
Later in the cycle as exhaust valve opens, pressure is reduced, so the gas
particles (including HC) are desorbed back to the cylinder. These gases come
out with exhaust and cause pollution
High compression ratios cause more pollution
Some additives when used with fuel reduce deposit build-up in engines
High swirl also helps in keeping deposits to a minimum

Pollutants

A. Sulphur oxides
B. Nitrogen oxides
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Carbon dioxide
E. Particulate matter
4. How can the internal combustion engine be modified to make auto exhaust
free from pollution?
 Engine design modifications
 Cleaner fuels,
 Post combustion control devices,
 Inspection and maintenance devices,
 Vehicle design

ICE may be classified by different criteria. For instance, - according to fuel type, to
power, to ignition type and so on. An appropriate classification from the point of
view of combustion chemistry and air pollution will divide them into two major
groups.
The first group: it includes engines in which combustion is performed periodically in
a chamber of changing volume (i.e. reciprocating piston engines). In the second
group combustion takes place continuously (steady flow) in a chamber of constant
volume. The first group may be further divided into spark ignition (SI) and
compression ignition (CI) engines, although there are engines combining both
principles. SI engines may be classified as two stroke and four stroke engines, CI
engines – as direct and indirect injection engines.
The second group: it includes the jet engines, which may use a gas turbine, liquid
fuel, air as oxidation agent and a turbo compressor (aircraft jet engines), and the
rocket jet engines, which have chemical agents as fuels and oxidizers Another useful
distinction between internal combustion engines is the fact that only in SI engines
the fuel is

evaporated and mixed with the oxidizing agent before the ignition takes place. In
other designs, the fuel is sprayed in the combustion chamber, in the form of drops of
different size. It is not the purpose of this chapter to describe the organization of the
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

combustion processes in the different engines. Its main task is rather to compare the
main groups from the point of view of air pollution and describe concisely the mode
of formation of major pollutants. Details of combustion systems, combustion
processes, efficiencies, etc. can be found in Pollution Control through Efficient
Combustion Technology. Modern SI engines used in passenger and freight vehicles
are four-stroke, although two stroke passenger cars are still running in some
European countries. Two-stroke engines have the important advantages of lower
weight and cost per unit of power output. They are widely used in small motorcycles,
as outboard motors and other small power equipment.
Two-stroke engines emit 20 to 50 per cent of their fuel unburned in the exhaust, but
also a considerable amount of oil, which is a component of the air-fuel mixture by
design. Air pollution from them is higher and includes a considerable amount of
particulate matter. Two-stroke engine designs with advanced fuel injection,
lubrication and combustion systems are being developed. They are expected to
achieve lower emissions and higher fuel efficiency, while keeping their traditional
other advantages.

Compared to the typical gasoline SI engines, both light and heavy duty diesel engines
have considerably higher compression ratios and better fuel efficiency, which leads
to lower CO and hydrocarbon emissions. Light duty vehicles emit also less nitrogen
oxides than comparable gasoline engines, but nitrogen oxides from heavy-duty
diesel engines are higher. Particulate matter and the polycyclic carcinogenic
hydrocarbons adsorbed on it are eight to ten times as much as in gasoline
counterparts and pose a serious problem for diesel engines. They also emit a
considerable amount of sulfur compounds due to the presence of more sulfur still
allowed in diesel, than in gasoline fuels.
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

5.What are the different pollutants of air and their effect on environment and human health?

Tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke generates a wide range of harmful chemicals and
is a major cause of ill health, as it is known to cause cancer, not only to the smoker
but affecting passive smokers too. It is well-known that smoking affects the
passive smoker (the person who is in the vicinity of a smoker and is not
himself/herself a smoker) ranging from burning sensation in the eyes or nose, and
throat irritation, to cancer, bronchitis, severe asthma, and a decrease in lung
function.
Biological pollutants. These are mostly allergens that can cause asthma, hay
fever, and other allergic diseases.
Volatile organic compounds. Volatile compounds can cause irritation of the eye,
nose and throat. In severe cases there may be headaches, nausea, and loss of
coordination. In the longer run, some of them are suspected to cause damage to
the liver and other parts of the body.
Formaldehyde. Exposure causes irritation to the eyes, nose and may cause
allergies in some people.
Lead. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the nervous system, digestive
problems, and in some cases cause cancer. It is especially hazardous to small
children.
Radon. A radioactive gas that can accumulate inside the house, it originates
from the rocks and soil under the house and its level is dominated by the outdoor
air and also to some extent the other gases being emitted indoors. Exposure to
this gas increases the risk of lung cancer.
Ozone. Exposure to this gas makes our eyes itch, burn, and water and it has also
been associated with increase in respiratory disorders such as asthma. It lowers
our resistance to colds and pneumonia.
Oxides of nitrogen. This gas can make children susceptible to respiratory
diseases in the winters.
Carbon monoxide. CO (carbon monoxide) combines with haemoglobin to lessen
the amount of oxygen that enters our blood through our lungs. The binding with
other haeme proteins causes changes in the function of the affected organs such
as the brain and the cardiovascular system, and also the developing foetus. It can
impair our concentration, slow our reflexes, and make us confused and sleepy.
Sulphur dioxide. SO2 (sulphur dioxide) in the air is caused due to the rise in
combustion of fossil fuels. It can oxidize and form sulphuric acid mist. SO2 in the air
leads to diseases of the lung and other lung disorders such as wheezing and
shortness of breath. Long-term effects are more difficult to ascertain as SO2
exposure is often combined with that of SPM.
SPM (suspended particulate matter). Suspended matter consists of dust, fumes,
 Digital Assignment-1 Name:B.Amith Ashwithi
Fuel and Combustion Reg.NO:16BME0800

mist and smoke. The main chemical component of SPM that is of major concern is
lead, others being nickel, arsenic, and those present in diesel exhaust. These
particles when breathed in, lodge in our lung tissues and cause lung damage and
respiratory problems. The importance of SPM as a major pollutant needs special
emphasis as a) it affects more people globally than any other pollutant on a
continuing basis; b) there is more monitoring data available on this than any other
pollutant; and c) more epidemiological evidence has been collected on the
exposure to this than to any other pollutant.

The effects on environment are:

 Global climate change
 Crop and forest damage.
 Acid rain
 Eutrophication
 Haze
 Ozone depletion