Control of oxides of nitrogen emissions from high grade low heat rejection diesel engine with crude pongamia oil by catalytic reduction

Aim: The present study attempted to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust of low heat rejection (LHR) diesel engine, with an air gap insulated piston with superni (an alloy of nickel) crown, an air gap insulated liner with superni insert and ceramic coated cylinder head with crude pongamia oil (CPO, a non-edible vegetable oil) with varied injection pressure and injection timing using the principle of catalytic reduction. Study Design: The effect of temperature of catalyst, space velocity, and void ratio on the reduction of NOx in the exhaust of the engines were studied and compared with the conventional engine (CE) with pure diesel operation under identical conditions. Methodology: Exhaust emissions of NOx were recorded at different values of brake mean effective pressure. NOx emissions were controlled with catalytic reduction using lanthanum ion exchanged zeolite (catalyst-A) and urea infused lanthanum ion exchanged zeolite (catalyst-B). Result: The study showed a considerable reduction by 40-50% in NOx emissions.