Emission reduction characteristics of three-way catalyst with engine operating condition change in an ultra-lean gasoline direct injection engine

Abstract

Recently, because of the increased oil prices globally, there have been studies investigating the improvement of fuel-conversion efficiency in internal combustion engines. The improvements realized in thermal efficiency using lean combustion are essential because they enable us to realize higher thermal efficiency in gasoline engines because lean combustion leads to an increase in the heat-capacity ratio and a reduction of the combustion temperature. Gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines enable lean combustion by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder and controlling the combustion parameters precisely. However, the extension of the flammability limit and the stabilization of lean combustion are required for the commercialization of GDI engines. The reduction characteristics of three-way catalysts (TWC) for lean combustion engines are somewhat limited owing to the high excess air ratio and low exhaust gas temperature. Therefore, in the present study, we assess the reaction of exhaust gases and their production in terms of the development of efficient TWCs for lean-burn GDI engines at 2000 rpm / BMEP 2 bar operating conditions, which are frequently used when evaluating the fuel consumption in passenger vehicles. At the lean-combustion operating point, NO2 was produced during combustion and the ratio of NO2 increased, while that of N2O decreased as the excess air ratio increased. © 2015 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers.