Case study of Diesel Catalyst Sensitivity and Performance Degradation Due to Potassium Poisoning from the Use of Unregulated Fuel FCA US LLC

Format:

Book

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Ahari, Homayoun, author.

Contributor:

Andra, Ramesh

Pauly, Thomas

Conference Name:

SAE WCX Digital Summit (2021-04-13 : Live Online, Pennsylvania, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource cm

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2021

Summary:

The advances in diesel engine development and catalyst technologies have enabled light passenger vehicles in meeting LEV 3 emission levels. However, with this advancement in technology, and as catalysts become more sophisticated, they also become more sensitive to low levels of impurities known as poison. Design of an aftertreatment system (ATS) typically sets limits for lubricant and fuel quality, specific to the geographic region and availability of certain level of regulated fuels. Over the last two decades, sensitivity of these systems to the presence of sulfur and ash in fuels and oils and their impact on emission system performance has been well established and documented.In this study, we investigate a field-aged diesel vehicle where the tailpipe emissions had deteriorated to a level that exceeded engineering targets. Root causing this measured deterioration, revealed that the catalysts were exposed to high levels of sodium and potassium contamination causing irreversible physical and chemical damage which resulted in higher hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions during FTP-75. The level of these contaminants on the catalyst were found to be far greater than what would be expected from use of normal diesel or bio-diesel blends readily available in the market, that adhere to ASTM specifications. Although we have no way of determining the source of the contaminant, we heavily speculate that the level of contaminants seen on the catalysts could have resulted from the use of unregulated bio-diesel, which potentially wasn't commercially produced following industry standards for transesterification. This scenario creates a dilemma for the industry where there possibly exists the availability of unregulated fuels, which can potentially lead to accelerated catalyst degradation causing the tail pipe emission to exceed the mandated levels

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2021-01-0614

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license