Cold start

The implementation of very effective devices on vehicles such as catalytic converters makes extremely low exhaust emissions possible as long as the temperatures are sufficient to initiate and carry out the catalytic reactions however, there are numerous operating conditions such as cold starting and... 

EGR can seriously degrade engine performance, especially at idle, under load at low speed, and during cold start. Control of the amount of EGR during these phases can be accompHshed by the same electronic computer controller used in the closed loop oxygen sensor TWC system. Thus the desired NO reduction is achieved while at the same time retaining good driveabiUty. 

Evaporative Emission. Fumes emitted from stored fuel or fuel left in the fuel dehvery system are also regulated by U.S. EPA standards. Gasoline consists of a variety of hydrocarbons ranging from high volatility butane (C-4) to lower volatility C-8 to C-10 hydrocarbons. The high volatility HCs are necessary for cold start, and are especially necessary for temperatures below which choking is needed to start the engine. Stored fuel and fuel left in the fuel system evaporates into the atmosphere. 

The main converter, which is located downstream of the EHC, heats to functional temperature much more quickly because of catalytic combustion of exhaust gases that would otherwise pass unconverted through the catalyst during the cold start period. The EHC theoretical power required for a reference case (161) was 1600 watts to heat an EHC to 400°C in 15 s in order to initiate the catalytic reactions and obtain the resultant exotherm of the chemical energy contained in the exhaust. Demonstrations have been made of energy requirements of 15—20 Wh and 2 to 3 kW of power (160,161). Such systems have achieved nonmethane HC emissions below the California ULEV standard of 0.025 g/km. The principal issues of the EHC are system durabihty, battery life, system complexity, and cost (137,162—168). 

Fig. 15. Low hydrocarbon emission control system utilising a cross-flow heat exchanger TWC catalyst, A, and a 2eohte-based hydrocarbon absorber system. Cold start HCs are absorbed by the hydrocarbon trap, B, until the cross-flow heat exchanger catalyst is hot enough to destroy the HCs that...

J. K. Hockmuth and co-workers. Hydrocarbon Trapsfor Controlling Cold Start Emissions, SAE 930739, Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale,... 

M. J. Heim rich, L. R. Smith, andj. Kitowski, Cold-Start IPydrocarbon Collection for Advanced Exhaust Emission Control, SAE 920847, Society of... 

Exhaust system The engine operating mode controls the tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). Over 80% of HC and CO emissions are generated during cold-start and warm-up due to incomplete combustion. Fuel vaporization and fuel/ air mixing are important factors in achieving thorough combustion of the hydrocarbons. 

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