The current study investigates the nonvolatile particle number emissions of three bi-fuel passenger cars (Euro 6 b , 6 d-temp), which operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), as a primary fuel, and gasoline as a secondary one. The CNG fuel was injected into the engine using port fuel injection (PFI) while the gasoline fuel was either by PFI or by direct injection (GDI). A novel exhaust gas sampling and dilution system was employed for the determination of solid particle number (SPN) emissions at 10 nm (SPN >10nm) and 2.5 nm (SPN >2.5 nm). The vehicles were tested in the laboratory over different test cycles where the CNG solid particle number emissions greater than 23 nm (SPN >23nm) were an order of magnitude lower than GDI and PFI gasoline emissions. However, when the size threshold was lowered to 10 nm or 2.5 nm, emissions were similar for both fuels. Particularly, SPN >2.5 nm emissions of the Euro 6 b vehicle exceeded the Euro 6 emission standard for both fuels while the SPN >23nm emissions were between 40 and 2.8 times lower than the limit for CNG and gasoline, respectively. Particle size distributions show a significant number of particles reside below the regulated limit of 23 nm, even lower than 10 nm. The results have significant implications in setting a particle number limit for alternative fuel vehicles while indicating that the current size threshold (23 nm) is insufficient for particle emission testing.

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">The latest generation of internal combustion engines may emit significant levels of sub-23 nm particles. The main objective of the Horizon 2020 “DownToTen” project was to develop a robust methodology and provide policy recommendations towards the particle number (PN) emissions measurements in the sub-23 nm region. In order to achieve this target, a new portable exhaust particle sampling system (PEPS) was developed, being capable of measuring exhaust particles down to at least 10 nm under real-world conditions. The main design target was to build a system that is compatible with current PMP requirements and is characterized by minimized losses in the sub-23 nm region, high robustness against artefacts and high flexibility in terms of different PN modes investigation, i.e. non-volatile, volatile and secondary particles. This measurement setup was used for the evaluation of particle emissions from the latest technology engine and powertrain technologies (including vehicles from other Horizon 2020 projects), different fuel types, and a wide range of exhaust aftertreatment systems. Results revealed that in most cases (non-volatile), PN emissions down to 10 nm (SPN₁₀) do not exceed the current SPN₂₃ limit of 6×10¹¹ p/km. However, there are some cases where SPN₁₀ emissions exceeded the limit, although SPN₂₃ were below that. An interesting finding was that even in the latter cases, the installation of a particle filter could significantly reduce PN emissions across a wide particle size range, fuels, and combustion technology. DownToTen results are being used to scientifically underpin the Euro 7/VII emission standard development in the EU. The method developed and the results obtained may be used to bring in the market clean and efficient vehicle technologies, improve engine and emission control performance with different fuels, and characterize size-fractionated particle chemistry to identify the formation mechanisms and control those in a targeted, cost-effective fashion.</div></div>

The objective of this study is the assessment of the real-world environmental performance, and its comparison with laboratory measurements, of two Euro 6 passenger cars. The first is equipped with a common-rail diesel engine, Lean NO x Trap (LNT), and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), and the second is a bi-fuel gasoline/CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicle equipped with a Three-Way Catalyst (TWC). The experimental campaign consisted of on-road and chassis dynamometer measurements. In the former test set, two driving routes were followed, one complying with Real Driving Emissions (RDE) regulation and another characterized by more dynamic driving. The aim of the latter route was to go beyond the regulatory limits and cover a wider range of real-world conditions and engine operating areas. In the laboratory, the WLTC (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle) was used, applying the real-world road load of the vehicles. Both cars underwent the same tests, and these were repeated for the primary (CNG) and the secondary (gasoline) fuel of the bi-fuel vehicle. In all of the tests, CO 2 and NO x emissions were measured with a Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS). The results were analyzed on two levels, the aggregated and the instantaneous, in order to highlight the different emissions attributes under varying driving conditions. The application of realistic road load in the WLTC limited its difference from the RDE-compliant route in terms of CO 2 emissions. However, the aggressive driver behavior and the uphill roads of the Dynamic driving schedule resulted in approximately double the CO 2 emissions for both cars. The potential of natural gas to reduce CO 2 emissions was also highlighted. Concerning the NO x emissions of the diesel car, the real-world results were significantly higher than the respective WLTC levels. On the other hand, the bi-fuel car exhibited very low NO x emissions with both fuels. Natural gas resulted in increased NO x emissions compared to gasoline, always remaining below the Euro 6 limit, with the only exception being the Dynamic driving schedule. Finally, it was found that the overall cycle dynamics are not sufficient for the complete assessment of transient emissions, and the instantaneous engine, and aftertreatment behavior can reveal additional details.

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