Small Utility Engine Emissions Reduction Using Automotive Technology

Recent legislation including the California Clean Air Act of 1988 and the Federal Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 will regulate exhaust emissions from small utility, lawn, and garden equipment engines. In an attempt to gain as much understanding as possible in a short time, SwRI has conducted a series of tests to investigate the effectiveness of late 1960's automotive emission reduction technology on small engines. Experiments were conducted utilizing air injection into the exhaust, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and ignition timing changes. The test engine was a 4 stroke generator set engine rated 5.88 Kw at 3600 rpm. Results show these technologies to be very effective in reducing hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), and carbon monoxide (C0).