A Comparison of the Emissions of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Automobiles Using Gasoline or a Methanol/Gasoline Blend

Individual polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in the exhaust gas from gasoline and gasoline/methanol blend fueled vehicles. Driving cycle tests as well as constant speed conditions were used.

Exhaust emission samples were collected on filters together with a condenser. Eleven PAHs were quantified by gas chromatography and FID. PAHs in the fuels were also determined.

There was no consistent difference in the amount of PAH-emission when the two fuels, gasoline and the gasoline/methanol blend, were compared. The emissions contain specific PAHs that cannot be found in the fuel.