Temperature dependency of burn-off emissions in the automobile industry

• Main Author: Scott, Krista Janette
• Other Authors: Heitbrink, William A.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of Iowa 2008
• Subjects: Metalworking Fluids; Burn-off Emissions; Automotive Industry Exposures; Environmental Public Health; Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
• Online Access: https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/24; https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1209&context=etd

This work characterized burn-off emissions from automobiles. After an exhaustive literature review, engine temperatures were determined to reach a maximum temperature of approximately 110oC, while exhaust system components reached a maximum temperature around 600oC. Metal-drawing fluids were used to bend the exhaust system components during manufacturing. Because these components were not rinsed prior to incorporation into a vehicle, residues could be left on the surfaces. An experimental test chamber was constructed to conduct controlled testing of three metalworking fluids of various types to mimic real-world conditions. Real-time particle number measurements were made using a condensation particle counter and an optical particle counter. The temperature at which burn-off begins to occur was found to be around 120 to 150oC. This burn-off was found to be an evaporation-condensation phenomenon when metalworking fluid residues vaporize and condense forming fine (0.1µm to 2.5µm) and ultrafine (<0.1µm) aerosols. The temperature dependency of this phenomenon was observed to follow the Clausius-Clapeyron equation that states as temperature increases, vapor pressure increases. Most aerosol particles were observed to be in the range of less than 0.01µm to approximately 2.0µm.