Reduction of Emissions from the Curtiss-Wright Rotating Combustion Engine with an Exhaust Reactor

The Curtiss-Wright RC2-60 engine exhaust emissions were measured, with and without an exhaust reactor, under steady-state conditions at the University of Michigan and in a vehicle operated on the simulated California cycle at an independent facility. The reactor successfully reduced the emission levels in both cases. Data are presented for the steady-state trends of engine emissions as a function of engine performance variables; trends are generally similar to those of conventional gasoline engines. The particular effectiveness of an exhaust reactor with the RC engine is attributed to port characteristics and higher exhaust gas temperatures unique to this engine together with new reactor design features. Theoretical considerations and future investigations are discussed.