A new analytical methodology for a fast evaluation of semi-volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the vapor phase downstream of a diesel engine particulate filter

A new sampling method was developed to collect vapor-phase polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) downstream of a diesel engine equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). This configuration allowed us to collect separately the particulate phase, which was trapped inside the DPF, and the vapor phase, which was sampled downstream of the DPF. PAHs, which were not predominantly absorbed into the poor organic fraction of the diesel soot, but were rather physically sorbed on high energetic adsorption sites, should be extracted using very drastic extraction conditions Microwave-assisted extraction using solvent mixtures composed of pyridine and diethylamine were used to desorb particulate PAHs, and the total PAH amounts corresponded to a very low value, i.e., 8 μg g⁻¹ or 0.24 μg km⁻¹, with a predominance of low weight PAHs. For collection of the vapor phase, gas bubbling in an aqueous medium was preferred to conventional methods, e.g., trapping on solid sorbents, for several reasons: aqueous trapping allowed us to use a solid phase enrichment process (SPE) that permitted PAH sampling at the sub-picogram levels. Consequently, low volume sampling was possible even if the sampling duration was very short (20 min). Additionally, the amount of time saved for the analysis was considerable when coupling SPE to the analytical system (liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection). Solvent consumption for the overall sampling and analytical processes was also drastically reduced. Experiments on a diesel engine showed that vapor phase samples collected downstream of the DPF contained all of the 15 target priority PAHs, even the heaviest ones. The total vapor-phase PAH amount was 6.88 μg N m⁻³ or 10.02 μg km⁻¹, which showed that the gaseous fraction contains more PAHs than the particulate fraction. Partitioning coefficients (K_p) were estimated showing the predominance in the vapor phase of all the PAHs. However, the DPF technology effects a considerable decrease in the total PAH emission when compared to non-equipped diesel vehicles.     

Comparison of hot Soxhlet and accelerated solvent extractions with microwave and supercritical fluid extractions for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrated derivatives strongly adsorbed on soot collected inside a diesel particulate filter

Several methods of extraction were optimized to extract polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their nitrated derivatives and heavy n-alkanes from a highly adsorptive particulate matter resulting from the combustion of diesel fuel in a diesel engine. This particular carbonaceous particulate matter, collected at high temperatures in cordierite diesel particulate filters (DPF), which are optimized for removing diesel particles from diesel engine exhaust emissions, appeared extremely refractory to extractions using the classical extracting conditions for these pollutants. In particular, the method of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) is described in detail here. Optimization was performed through experimental design to understand the impact of each factor studied and the factors’ possible interactions on the recovery yields. The conventional extraction technique, i.e., Soxhlet extraction, was also carried out, but the lack of quantitative extractions led us to use a more effective approach: hot Soxhlet. It appeared that the extraction of the heaviest PAHs and nitroPAHs by either the optimized ASE or hot Soxhlet processes was far from complete. To enhance recovery yields, we tested original solvent mixtures of aromatic and heteroaromatic solvents. Thereafter, these two extraction techniques were compared to microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). In every case, the only solvent mixture that permitted quantitative extraction of the heaviest PAHs from the diesel soot was composed of pyridine and diethylamine, which has a strong electron-donor character. Conversely, the extraction of the nitrated PAHs was significantly improved by the use of an electron-acceptor solvent or by introducing a small amount of acetic acid into the pyridine. It was demonstrated that, for many desirable features, no single extraction technique stound out as the best: ASE, MAE or SFE could all challenge hot Soxhlet for favourable extractions. Consequently, the four optimized extraction techniques were performed to extract the naturally polluted diesel soot collected inside the DPF. Comparisons with the NIST standard reference material SRM 1650b showed that the soot collected from the DPF contained 50% fewer n-alkanes, and also markedly lower levels of PAHs (44 less concentrated) than SRM 1650b, and that the ratio of nitroPAHs to PAHs was increased. These results were attributed to the high temperatures reached inside the particulate filter during sampling runs and to the contribution of the catalytic DPF to aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons abatement.     

Determination of 1-nitropyrene by thin-layer chromatography in a diesel exhaust particulate extract

A method is described for the determination of 1-nitropyrene in a diesel exhaust particulate extract by thin-layer chromatography. 1-Nitropyrene is determined as 1-aminopyrene after prechromatographic reduction and isolation by solvent partition. The fluorescence response of 1-aminopyrene is approximately 1000-fold greater than that of 1-nitropyrene. The poor fluorescence stability of 1-aminopyrene on silica gel plates prevents in situ detection by scanning densitometry unless the plates are impregnated with a mixture of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and Fomblin H-Vac. A linear response from 1 to 150 ng of 1-aminopyrene and a detection limit of 1.0 ng were obtained using the impregnated plates. For fourteen samples of a diesel exhaust particulate extract the concentration of 1-nitropyrene was determined to be 165 μg/g with an RSD = 9.0%. No significant interferences were observed from other nitro- or aminopolycyclic aromatic compounds present in the extract.     

The use of cation exchange matrix separation coupled with ICP-MS to directly determine platinum group element (PGE) and other trace element emissions from passenger cars equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPF)

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry coupled with cation exchange matrix separation has been optimised for the direct determination of platinum group element (PGE) and trace element emissions from a diesel engine car. After matrix separation method detection limits of 1.6 ng g(-1) for Pd, 0.4 ng g(-1) for Rh and 4.3 ng g(-1) for Pt were achieved, the method was validated against the certified reference material BCR 723, urban road dust. The test vehicle was fitted with new and aged catalytic converters with and without diesel particulate filters (DPF). Samples were collected after three consecutive New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) of the particulate and "soluble" phases using a home-made sampler optimised for trace element analysis. Emission factors for the PGEs ranged from 0.021 ng km(-1) for Rh to 70.5 ng km(-1) for Pt; when a DPF was fitted, the emission factors for the PGEs actually used in the catalysts dropped by up to 97% (for Pt). Trace element emission factors were found to drop by a maximum of 92% for Ni to a minimum of 18% for Y when a DPF was fitted; a new DPF was also found to cause a reduction of up to 86% in the emission of particulate matter.     

Tracking the pathway of diesel exhaust particles from the nose to the brain by X-ray florescence analysis

Studies have shown that exposure to nano-sized particles (< 50 nm) result in their translocation to the central nervous system through the olfactory nerve. Translocation commonly occurs via inhalation, ingestion and skin uptake. Little information is available on the specific pathway of cellular localization of nano-sized particles in the olfactory bulb. The nano-sized particles entrance into the postsynaptics cell is of particular interest because the mitral cell projects to the central nucleus of the amygdala and the piriform cortex. Therefore, our objective in this follow-up study has been to determine whether or not the mitral cells project nano-sized particles to the brain.Nano-sized particles in this study were generated using diesel exhaust. Lab mice were exposed for a period of 4 weeks. We employed synchrotron radiation (SPring-8, Japan) to determine the concentration levels of metal in the olfactory neuron pathway. Metal levels were assayed by mapping, using X-ray fluorescence analysis. The major metal components measured in the filter that collected the inhaled diesel exhaust particles were calcium, copper, iron, nickel and zinc. Our studies reveal an increase in the amount of nano-sized particles in the glomerular layer as well as in the neurons in the olfactory epithelium. Higher levels of nickel and iron were found in the olfactory epithelium's lamina propria mucosae in comparison to that in the control group. Higher levels of iron also were observed in the glomerular layer. Our studies do not clarify the specifics of metal adhesion and detachment. This remains to be one of the key issues requiring further clarification.     

乙醇/柴油混合燃料的相溶性及对发动机性能影响的研究

利用助溶剂解决乙醇/柴油的相溶性问题，讨论了混合燃料中乙醇和助溶剂添加量对相溶性的影响，并使用助溶剂体积分数为1.5%、乙醇体积分数分别为5%、10%、15%的混合燃料及 20号纯柴油（分别表示为E5、E10、E15和 E0）在发动机台架上进行了性能和排放试验。研究结果表明，柴油的烃组成是决定相分离温度的决定性因素；对全部测试油品，乙醇体积分数在10%、助溶剂添加体积分数为1.5%时，混合燃料相溶性较好。台架试验显示，随着混合燃料中乙醇掺烧比例的增加，发动机的燃油消耗率逐渐增加，而发动机的额定功率和最大扭矩逐渐降低，但最大扭矩降低的幅度较小；此外，随着乙醇掺烧比例的增加，CO比排放量减少，HC、NOx和PM的比排放量逐渐增加，但NOx和PM的比排放量增加幅度不大。10%体积分数的乙醇添加量是乙醇/柴油的最佳掺烧比。     

Determination of mutagenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone in diesel exhaust particulate matter by three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography

Mutagenic 3-nitrobenzanthrone was determined in diesel exhaust particulate matter by three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography. Nitrophenylethyl, C18 and pyrenylethyl stationary phases were used as the first, second and third dimensions, respectively. Methanol was used as a mobile phase for the first and second dimensions, and dichloromethane was used for the third. Each column was coupled by a 6-port valve with a concentrator column. Effluent from the third dimensional column was detected by a photodiode array detector. The calibration graph showed good linearity in the range of 1-1000 ng ml(-1), and the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 1 ng ml(-1) 3-Nitrobenzanthrone could be detected within 45 min without the requirement of a clean-up procedure. 3-Nitrobenzanthrone in diesel exhaust particulate matter was detected in the range of 27-56 pg mg(-1) extract (n = 3).     

Analysis of petrol and diesel vapour and vehicle engine exhaust gases using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry

We have used selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) to analyse the vapours emitted by petrol and diesel fuels and the exhaust gases from petrol (spark ignition) and diesel (compression ignition) engine vehicles fitted with catalytic converters. Only those components of these media that have significant vapour pressures at ambient temperatures were analysed and thus particulates were obviously not detected. These media have been analysed using the full scope of SIFT-MS, i.e., with the three available precursor ions H3O+, NO+ and O2+. The combination of the H3O+ and NO+ analyses is seen to be essential to distinguish between different product ions at the same mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) especially in identifying aldehydes in the exhaust gases. The O2+ precursor ions are used to detect and quantify the large amount of nitric oxide present in the exhaust gases from both engine types. The petrol and diesel vapours consist almost exclusively of aliphatic alkanes, alkenes and alkynes (and dienes) and aromatic hydrocarbons. Some of these compounds appear in the exhaust gases together with several aldehydes, viz. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, pentanal, pentenal (acrolein), butenal, and also methanol and ethanol. Acetone, nitric oxide and ammonia are also present, acetone and nitric oxide being much more abundant in the diesel exhaust gas than in the petrol exhaust gas. These data were obtained from samples collected into pre-evacuated stainless steel vessels. Trapping of the volatile compounds from the gas samples is not required and analysis was completed a few minutes later. All the above compounds are detected simultaneously, which demonstrates the value of SIFT-MS in this area of research.     

Gas chromatographic analysis and aerosol mass spectrometer measurement of diesel exhaust particles composition

Aerosol particles have important effects on human health, climate, regional visibility, and the deposition of acidic and toxic substances. The aerosols also have significant pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Trials of gas chromatographic analysis of extracts composition of diesel exhaust particles and aerosol mass spectrometer measurement of diesel exhaust particles composition are introduced in this paper. Usually, organic fraction of automotive exhaust particles are concentrated to 1 mL by Kuderna-Danish concentrator after extracted into dichloromethane by soxhlet extraction. Then, these extracts are analyzed by GC/MS. In the extracts from the diesel exhaust particles, there are over several thousands of components, for example paraffinic hydrocarbons, aromatics, oxygenates and other hydrocarbons.     

On-line analysis of diesel engine exhaust gases by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) has been used to analyse on-line and in real time the exhaust gas emissions from a Caterpillar 3304 diesel engine under different conditions of load (idle and 50% of rated load) and speed (910, 1500 and 2200 rpm) using three types of fuel: an ultra-low-sulphur diesel, a rapeseed methyl ester and gas oil. SIFT-MS analyses of the alkanes, alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons in the headspace of these fuels were also performed, but the headspace of the rapeseed methyl ester consists mainly of methanol and a compound with the molecular formula C4H8O. The exhaust gases were analysed for NO and NO2 using O2+* reagent ions and for HNO2 using H3O+ reagent ions. The following aldehydes and ketones in the exhaust gases were quantified by using the combination of H3O+ and NO+ reagent ions: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propenal, propanal, acetone, butanal, pentanal, butanone and pentanone. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and pentenal, all known respiratory irritants associated with sensitisation to asthma of workers exposed to diesel exhaust, are variously present within the range 100-2000 ppb. Hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases accessible to SIFT-MS analyses were also quantified as total concentrations of the various isomers of C3H4, C3H6, C4H6, C5H8, C5H10, C6H8, C6H10, C7H14, C6H6, C7H8, C8H10 and C9H12.     

Short capillary column for the separation and identification of mononitrofluoranthene and mononitropyrene isomers present in air and emission samples

A 15 m DB-17 fused-silica capillary column has been used to achieve the separation of all mononitrofluorarthene and mononitropyrene isomers. Linear Retention Indices and Relative Retention times for each component have been measured and the values were compared with those observed on DB-5 columns, commonly used for this separation. Increased polarity of the liquid phase results in better separation of some key isomeric pairs (such as 2-, 3-nitrofluoranthene and 1-nitropyrene, 8-nitrofluoranthene), difficult to resolve on DB-5 columns. Practical applications are reported. They include the analysis of extracts from emission samples (diesel exhaust and particles emitted by a factory manufacturing carbon electrodes) as well as atmospheric dust sampled in a urban area under different conditions.     

柴油尾气DOC催化剂Pt-Pd/CeO2的活性和抗硫性

采用浸渍法制备了不同Pt、Pd比例的Pt-Pd/CeO₂催化剂,考察了其催化氧化模拟柴油车尾气的活性,并测试了抗硫性。活性测试结果表明,Pt、Pd协同降低了催化剂的起燃温度,其比例对催化剂性能影响很大,其中,Pt_0.2Pd_0.8/CeO₂催化剂在模拟柴油车尾气(丙烯(C₃H₆)、一氧化碳(CO)和一氧化氮(NO))中的催化活性最高;C₃H₆的t₅₀降到170℃,CO的t₅₀降到了150℃,显示了良好的Pt、Pd协同效应;H₂-TPR表征和抗硫性结果分析表明,高比例Pt/Pd催化剂具有更多的表面活性氧,其相对数值与催化剂抗硫性能的关联度高,在催化剂硫酸盐中毒的条件下,更有利于催化反应的进行。     

Development and characterization of a mobile photoacoustic sensor for on-line soot emission monitoring in diesel exhaust gas

Upcoming regulations for vehicle exhaust emission demand substantial reduction of particle emission in diesel exhaust. To achieve these emission levels, the car manufacturing industry is developing new combustion concepts and exhaust after-treatment techniques such as the use of catalysts and particle filters. Many of the state-of-the-art analytical instruments do not meet the required detection limits, in combination with a high temporal resolution necessary for engine optimization. This paper reports a new detection system and the first results of its application to on-line diesel exhaust soot measurements on a engine test bench (MAN diesel engine facility Nürnberg, Germany). The instrument is based on differential photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy of black carbon aerosol. It contains two identical PA cells, one for the measurement of the aerosol particles and one which analyses the particle-free gas. Thus, a potential cross-sensitivity to gaseous absorbers in the exhaust gas can be excluded. The PA cells were characterized in a laboratory set-up, with water vapor as reference gas and artificial soot generated by a spark discharge generator. The detection limit was found to be 2 microg m(-3) BC (for diesel soot) with a sampling rate of 3 Hz. The temporal response of the system was found to be in the order of 1 s. After full characterization of the cells, the system was transferred into a mobile 19"-rack. Characterization of the mobile sensor system under real-world conditions was performed during several measurement campaigns at an engine test bench for heavy-duty diesel engines. Results for the limit of detection, the time resolution, accuracy, repeatability, and robustness of the sensor system are very promising with regards to a routine application of the system in engine development.     

Sulfur impact on diesel emission control- A review

The effect of sulfur on diesel emission control is reviewed in this paper. Diesel exhaust differs from that of petrol engine exhaust in two major characteristics. Firstly, diesel exhaust contains a far higher amount of particulate matter, and secondly, the exhaust is far leaner, that is, far more oxidizing than a typical exhaust from petrol engines. Under these conditions, the conventional three-way catalysts are not effective in reducing NO_x . Emission from diesel engines is a complex phenomenon. The composition, the properties and the amount of these emissions depend on strictly technical parameters such as engine design and engine operation characteristics and on fuel and lube oil composition. Diesel fuel contains a small amount of sulfur which has an adverse effect even on the raw particulate emissions. The investigations on the effect of sulfur on hydrocarbons, CO and NO_x abatement in diesel exhaust gas is reviewed together with the newest technologies to avoid catalyst deactivation by unwanted SO₂ reactions.     

Catalytic removal of nitric oxides from diesel exhaust over supported metal oxides catalysts

Summary A number of supported metal oxide catalysts were prepared and tested for nitrogen oxide removal from diesel engine exhaust. More than 50% of nitrogen oxides were removed using many prepared catalysts in the temperature range of 150^oC-350^oC.     

Recovery of diesel fuel from soil by supercritical fluid extraction–gas chromatography

An analytical method based on CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) followed by gas chromatography (GC) was evaluated, compared to Soxhlet extraction, and found to determine accurately and precisely diesel fuel contamination of standard soil samples at a total petroleum hydrocarbon level of 100 μg/g in soil. While both extraction methods have the same 3% relative repeatability standard deviation for determination of total hydrocarbon contamination at this level, SFE requires much less time, uses less organic solvent and provides better recovery of the more volatile n-C₁₀ to n-C₁₂ hydrocarbons.     

Use of a fluorescent phosphoprotein dye to characterize oxidative stress-induced signaling pathway components in macrophage and epithelial cultures exposed to diesel exhaust particle chemicals

A large body of evidence has shown that exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) leads to asthma exacerbation through an excitation of allergic inflammation. Utilizing diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) as a model air pollutant, we and others have demonstrated that PM contains redox-active chemicals that generate inflammation through an oxidative stress mechanism. Recently, the strengths of proteomics have enabled us to demonstrate that organic DEP extracts induce a hierarchical expression pattern of oxidative stress-induced proteins in macrophages and epithelial cells. As a further extension of this work, we now employ a new phosphosensor fluorescent dye, Pro-Q Diamond, to elucidate the induction of phosphoproteins and intracellular signaling cascades that may play a role in DEP-induced inflammation. We demonstrate that DEPs induced the phosphorylation of several phosphoproteins that belong to a number of signaling pathways as well as other oxidative stress pathways. In combination with cytokine array, phosphoproteome analysis using Pro-Q Diamond allowed us to characterize the aromatic and polar chemicals of DEPs that are involved in the activation of three different mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways.     

Reduction of nitrogen oxides in diesel exhaust: Prospects for use of synthesis gas

Already commercialized and some of the most promising technologies of nitrogen oxide reduction in automotive diesel exhaust are compared. The Boreskov Institute of Catalysis (Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) is developing an advanced method for the selective catalytic reduction of NO _x with synthesis gas produced on board by the catalytic conversion of diesel fuel. The activity of the Ag/Al₂O₃ catalytic system in NO _x reduction by H₂ + CO admixtures is studied for both a model composition of the exhaust gas and under real diesel operation conditions.     

NH3选择性还原NOx技术在重型柴油车尾气净化中的应用

基于实验室对柴油车用V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂催化剂配方以及涂覆成型技术的大量研究,设计了一条产量为6000只/月的NH₃选择性催化还原NO_x （NH₃-SCR）催化剂中试生产线,并对生产的催化剂产品进行了发动机台架测试. 结果表明,实验室制备的V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂粉体催化剂和生产线产品,在空速为50000 h^-1和200-450 ℃条件下NO_x转化率均可达80%以上;采用大尺寸堇青石载体涂覆后制备的V₂O₅-WO₃/TiO₂整体催化剂经实验室小样测试,在空速为10000-30000 h^-1和250-450 ℃条件下NO_x转化率也为80%以上. 发动机台架测试结果表明,该催化剂产品可使重型柴油机NO_x排放达到国IV标准中欧洲稳态循环（ESC）和欧洲瞬态循环（ETC）排放限值的要求. 该生产线经适当调整后也可用于生产非钒基NH₃-SCR整体催化剂,以满足未来钒基NH₃-SCR催化剂更新换代的需求.     

Nitrotyrosine-modified proteins and oxidative stress induced by diesel exhaust particles

Protein tyrosine nitration is a post-translational modification that occurs under conditions of oxidative stress and may play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as asthma. Through their ability to generate reactive oxygen species in macrophages and epithelial cells, particulate pollutants, such as diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), may lead to a worsening of the asthmatic condition. In this study, we looked for evidence of oxidative modification of proteins in RAW 264.7 cell line treated with DEP chemicals. We show that the induction of oxidative stress is accompanied by 53 newly expressed proteins which are suppressed by a thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine. These include antioxidant enzymes, pro-inflammatory components, and products of intermediary metabolism. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was identified as a biologically relevant oxidative stress protein that is induced concurrent with increased NO production and protein tyrosine-nitration in DEP-exposed RAW 264.7 cells. Utilizing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, anti-nitrotyrosine immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry led to the identification of an additional ten nitrotyrosine modified proteins, including oxidative stress proteins involved in intermediary metabolism (e.g., GAPDH and enolase), antioxidant defense (e.g., MnSOD) and inhibition of proteosomal activity (e.g., Hsp 90alpha). These oxidative proteins may serve as markers for oxidative stress generation in vivo.