The impact of particle immissions on the health of human beings is shown in different studies. First immission limits for particulates (PM10) are the consequences. Nevertheless, the exact manner, how particulates damage health is not known at the moment. Size, number and composition of the particulates are supposed to be of high importance. So the assessment of particulate emissions has not only to contain the mass, but also number, size and composition.
In the framework of the COST 346 project, EMPA has evaluated up to now the exhaust emissions of two in-use engines of heavy-duty trucks. Thereby the main emphasis was put on the measurement during transient test cycles, representing real-world driving behaviour. The measurements were completed by the isolation of characteristic single modes out of the engine map to show one specific operating condition of the engine.
During these tests, the state of the art gravimetric particulate measurement was performed using a full flow dilution system. In parallel, number and size distribution measurements have been done in the diluted exhaust gas as well. To complete the assessment, the particle filter papers were extracted to display the part of the soluble organic fraction.
These measurements are compared to the results of another project, in which three engines representing different engine technologies have been evaluated. The conclusions shall be, whether the in-use condition changes the particulate emissions of heavy-duty trucks and whether there are influences of some engine technologies on the particulate emission.