Techniques for the Characterisation of Engine Exhaust Particulate Matter

Significance and Potential of the ResearchThe project is motivated by the need to characterise particulate matter (PM) generated by combustion, because of health concerns, legislation, and the need to have data for model validation.The new technique of Enhanced Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (ETGA) will side-step concerns about thermal decomposition in conventional Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and provide additional data on the surface area and pore sizes of combustion generated particulate matter (PM).By dividing the filter sample, Enhanced Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (ETGA), conventional Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman Spectroscopy (RS) can all be applied to the same sample. This will provide information on the: the elemental carbon/organic carbon ratio, the active surface area and the pore sizes, and the composition and structure of particulate matter from a Spray Guided Direct Injection (SGDI) Engine.CollaborationAn additional purpose of this project is to promote international collaboration by enabling Prof Raine to work at Oxford. The Oxford group have close links with several universities and close contact with Ford, Shell and Jaguar. Data from an SGDI engine have already been supplied to Markus Kraft at Cambridge, who is at the forefront of modelling the formation of combustion generated particulate matter.Planning & ManagementThe manager of the Begbroke Materials Characterisation Facility (Dr Alison Crossley) is very positive about this proposal, and has already been very helpful in developing the ideas for Enhanced Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (ETGA). Novelty and RiskX-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman Spectroscopy (RS) are established techniques, albeit ones that are not thought to have been applied to particulate matter from an SGDI engine. In the unlikely event that neither SGDI engine is operational, then emissions can be collected from a port injection gasoline engine (2 SMART Car engines are installed with comprehensive instrumentation). Enhanced Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (ETGA) may not work in the way envisaged, and if this is the case, then the reasons for the failure would none the less be worth reporting. ResourcesThe main costs are associated with expenses and a salary supplement (for the higher UK living costs) for Prof Raine, but the University of Auckland will continue to pay his salary and the cost of his international travel. The other major cost is for the use of the materials testing facilities, but these will be charged at an internal rate.