Automobiles and The Pollutants
Automobiles and The Pollutants
a) Name the three sources of atmospheric pollutions from automobiles and the pollutants they emit,
1. Exhaust Emissions
2. Evaporative Emissions
3. Secondary Pollutants
b) Blow-by" refers to the phenomenon in internal combustion engines where combustion gases leak past the
piston rings and enter the crankcase,
Blow-by" refers to the phenomenon in internal combustion engines where combustion gases leak past the
piston rings and enter the crankcase. This happens because the seals created by the piston rings are not perfect,
allowing a small amount of high-pressure gases from the combustion chamber to escape.
incomplete combustion occurs when a fuel burns in insufficient oxygen, leading to the production of by-
products other than carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). In a complete combustion process, the fuel reacts
fully with oxygen, producing CO₂ and H₂O. However, when there isn't enough oxygen, the combustion process is
incomplete, and other by-products are formed.
d) State four conditions of engine operation under which the pollutants levels are usually high,
Cold Start:
During the initial start of the engine, the combustion chamber and catalytic converter have not yet reached their
optimal operating temperatures. This results in incomplete combustion and higher emissions of carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HCs), and particulate matter (PM).
: High Load/Acceleration
When the engine is under high load, such as during rapid acceleration or carrying heavy loads, it operates at a
richer air-fuel mixture to provide extra power. This can lead to higher emissions of CO, HCs, and nitrogen oxides
(NOx).
Idling:
Prolonged idling, especially in stop-and-go traffic, results in inefficient combustion and can lead to elevated
emissions of CO, HCs, and NOx.
e) Write two emission standards related to emission control in Sri Lanka
In 2018, Sri Lanka adopted the Euro 4 emission standard for all new light-duty vehicles, including passenger cars
and light commercial vehicles. This standard limits emissions of pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).
Sri Lanka has a mandatory Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) program for all in-use vehicles. Vehicles must undergo
regular emissions testing and meet the prescribed limits to be re-registered or renewed for road use. Those that
fail must be repaired and retested.
Q2
A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system works by redirecting crankcase gases from the engine back into
the intake manifold, where they are mixed with the air-fuel mixture and burned in the combustion chamber,
reducing emissions.
Recycling: It recycles gases from the crankcase through a valve (PCV valve) to the intake manifold.
Vacuum: The engine's intake manifold creates a vacuum that opens the PCV valve.
Filtered air: Filtered air flows through the engine, picking up fumes and vapors.
Combustion: The air exits through another hose, connected to manifold vacuum, and burns the fumes
harmlessly in the engine.
Draw any blow-by gases out of the crankcase and recycle them through the inlet.
Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) systems are designed to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the
atmosphere from a vehicle's fuel system. These systems are crucial for reducing air pollution and meeting
environmental regulations. Here’s a brief explanation of how evaporative emission control works
d) Explain how the charcoal canister helps in an evaporative emission control system to reduce pollution
The charcoal canister in the EVAP system captures and stores fuel vapors, preventing them from escaping into
the atmosphere and reducing pollution by releasing them for combustion when conditions are right.