The Effects of 2-Ethylhexyl Nitrate and Di-Tertiary-Butyl Peroxide on the Exhaust Emissions from a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine

The effects of the cetane improvers* 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (EHN) and di-tertiary-butyl peroxide (DTBP) on regulated exhaust emissions from a 1993 Detroit Diesel Series 60 heavy-duty diesel engine were studied. EHN and DTBP were added to two commercially available fuels at concentrations ranging from 500 to 12,000 ppm by volume. Both additives reduced CO, NO_x, and particulate emissions as measured in the hot start portion of the FTP heavy-duty transient emissions cycle. A comparison of the emissions response of the two additives shows that the nitrogen in EHN does not contribute to NO_x emissions at typical treat rates.