Abstract

Several different techniques and methodologies have been applied to reduce emissions from diesel engines. The main by- products of diesel engine combustion are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, total hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and particulate matter.
Diesel particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen are two of the most potentially harmful components of the diesel engine exhaust. Since 1990, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been regulating off-road diesel emissions and imposing rules and standards on manufacturers and operators. The objectives of this study was to determine the mechanical durability of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) that are retrofitted on off-road heavy duty diesel engines, over prolonged periods of in-field operation and to assess the emission benefits of particulate catalyzed filter. The specific task was to evaluate the exhaust emissions from a Caterpillar 3408 engine on an engine dynamometer. Since the ability of the DPFs in reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions was of a prime concern, it was concluded that the DPFs are very effective in achieving up to 98% reduction.