CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICULATES

High resolution mass spectrometry was used to analyze the organic material associated with diesel exhaust particulates in order to detect hazardous compounds. Diesel fuels and respirable coal mine dusts were also surveyed. Mass spectra were obtained on approximately 50 samples of particulates from diesel engine tests. The tests involved precombustion-chamber and direct injection engines operating in different modes of speed and load and using three grades of diesel fuel. Distribution of hydrocarbons changed in a characteristic manner as the speed and loading of the engines increased from idle to rated speed and full load. The composition profiles were little affected by engine or fuel type. The composition of diesel particulates was investigated as a function of particle size from less than 0.2 to greater than or approximately equal to 3.0 mu m. Formulas of the polynuclear aromatics customarily found in exhaust particulates were identified. More oxidation occurred in the less than 0.2 mu m fraction than in the larger size material. Mass spectra of respirable coal dust sampled in areas of a mine where diesel and electrical haulage of coal were used, were compared with spectra of uncontaminated coal dust from the same mine. Respirable ducts from the diesel haulage entry had numerous saturated aliphatics not found in the electrical haulage samples, and this is attributed to combustion of diesel fuel. Differences in composition between respirable mine dust and uncontaminated dust prepared from lump coal reflected contamination of respirable dust by hydraulic oils and lubricants. The mass spectral data of all samples were screened for toxic compounds. Formulas of possible toxic compounds in diesel particulates included saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, oxygenates, and polynuclear aromatics. (ERA citation 02:033128)

• Corporate Authors:

  Energy Research and Development Administration

  Pittsburgh Energy Research Center
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15236
• Authors:
  • Mentser, M
  • Sharkey, A G
• Publication Date: 1977-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 53 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerosols; Air pollution; Chemical composition; Coal; Diesel engine exhaust gases; Diesel engines; Diesel fuels; Dust; Environmental impacts; Exhaust gases; Hydrocarbons; Mass spectroscopes; Organic compounds; Particles; Smoke; Spectrographic analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Mass spectroscopy
• Subject Areas: Environment; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00166792
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 29 1978 12:00AM