In this work, the effect of using a Whale filter on the overall vehicle exhaust emissions was evaluated. A Whale filter is a South African patented diesel particulate filter designed to operate as a secondary diesel filter for the removal of particulate contaminants up to 0.5 microns in size in the fuel prior to injection. It is believed that removal of contaminants prior to injection may improve the fuel injection efficiency, thereby promoting efficient combustion, and thus resulting in reduced emissions and fuel consumption. Emissions tests were conducted on four different vehicle categories to validate this. All vehicles underwent pre-emissions testing prior to installation of the Whale filter. Each test was conducted for a period of approximately 20 minutes by varying the engine speed. The Applus + Autologic Vehicle Emissions Analyser was used to measure the emissions at each stage, and a similar procedure was followed to measure the emissions after installation of the Whale filter. The results showed a significant average reduction in carbon monoxide CO (35.3%), nitrogen oxides NO x (26.1%) and hydrocarbons HC (34.3%) emissions after the Whale filter was installed in the four vehicles.

In this study, flue gas emissions from combustion of eco-fuel briquettes in a ceramic lined stove were investigated. The eco-fuel briquettes were made of biomass such as spent coffee beans, mielie husks, saw dust, paper pulp and coal fines using a hand operated screw press. A combustion set-up consisting of digital weightometer, a ceramic lined stove and a complete chimney system was used. The emissions from the combustion process were measured using a Testo 350 gas analyser linked to the chimney system. The eco-fuel briquettes made from a mixture of biomass and coal fines burnt within the acceptable exposure limits as set out by the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA). The flue gas emissions from the combustion of eco-fuel briquettes were found to contain 74 parts per million (ppm) carbon monoxide (CO), 4.32 ppm hydrogen sulphide (H2S), 1.34ppm nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 3.67 ppm sulphur oxides (SOx). The measured gross calorific value was 18.9MJ/kg, with a burning rate of 2g/min. These properties make eco-fuel briquettes suitable for domestic applications. A survey conducted as part of this study also revealed a significant demand for eco-fuel briquettes in many informal settlements in Gauteng Province, South Africa, at a competitive selling price of R2.60/kg.

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