EUROPE BATTLES TO CLEAN UP ITS CARS

This short article summarizes the efforts made by the European car industry to manufacture engines that produce less air pollution. Particular attention is given to the production of a clean 2 stroke engine. Work is being undertaken at the Batelle Institute in Frankfurt into the use of catalytic converters in such engines. Elleven Trabbis (the East German Trabant) have been equipped with simple oxidative catalysts. Because Trabbis burn fuel so inefficiently, they emit large quantities of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, which are easily dealt with by an oxidative catalyst so long as there is enough oxygen present. However, because Trabbis do not completely burn up their fuel mixture, some of it is blown out of the cylinder with every second stroke of the piston, delivering so much unburnt petrol to the exhaust that there may be too little oxygen for the catalyst to oxidize all the hydrocarbons. Only Trabbis built within the last 4 years, which burn a lean fuel mixture give good results with the catalyst. Another problem is that the Trabbis have no fuel gauge. Their drivers simply run out of petrol, and switch to the reserve tank. However switching from one tank to another causes misfiring, and more unburnt petrol will be delivered to the catalyst. The catalyst will overheat and will be destroyed. If catalysts are to work they will need a metal casing rather than the standard ceramic one in order to dissipate heat.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Magazines Limited

  Holborn Group, King's Reach Tower, Stamford Street
  London SE1 9LS,   England 
• Authors:
  • Mackenzie, Don
• Publication Date: 1990-2-17

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 35
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 125
  • Issue Number: 1704
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Catalysis; Exhaust gases; Exhaust pipes; Oxidation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• ITRD Terms: 7127: Catalysis; 9009: Decrease; 2442: Emission; 1384: Exhaust pipe; 7157: Oxidation
• Subject Areas: Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00605909
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1991 12:00AM