Posters at the Capitol 2010

LUKE BOLIN
Department of Chemistry
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
Faculty Mentors: Beng Guat Ooi and Ngee Sing Chong Link to: POSTER

Effects of Oxygenate Additives in Reducing Air Toxics from the Exhaust Emissions of Generators Fueled by Diesel and Gasoline

The emission profiles of gasoline and diesel with different oxygenate additives were compared by sampling the exhaust of generators. Diethylene glycol methyl ether, triglyme, diglyme, and biodiesel esters were used as oxygenates for the Yanmar diesel-powered generator. Likewise, oxygenate additives including ethanol, n-butanol, triacetin, and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran were tested with the Craftman gasoline-powered generator. The optimal level of oxygenates were determined by measuring the emission profiles at various additive levels. The analysis of VOCs in the engine emissions will be carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with cryogenic preconcentration to achieve detection of toxic pollutants at the levels of parts-per-billion levels. The levels of low molecular weight pollutants such as methane, ethylene, and carbon monoxide will be analyzed using a GC with a flame ionization detector (FID) and the results compared to measurements obtained with infrared (IR) spectrometric analysis using a 10-meter extractive gas cell.