Morphological Analysis of Particulate Matter emitted by a Diesel Engine using Digital Image Analysis Algorithms and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer

This paper shows the morphological analysis results of particulate matter emissions from an indirect injection Diesel engine working in two operating modes using Digital Image Analysis Algorithms (DIAA) and a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS). Two typical engine operating modes were selected among the collection of steady stages, which reproduce the sequence of operating conditions that the vehicles equipped with this type of engines must follow during the transient cycle established in the European Emission Directive 70/220. The DIAA results were obtained from images of particulate matter collected in filters. The filters were charged in a dilution mini-tunnel, connected up-stream and down-stream of a cyclone-based particulate filtration system, which was coupled to the engine exhaust line. The images were obtained by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) from samples taken directly from the charged filters. All the obtained results were compared with the SMPS measurements at the same operating condition and the same sampling points.