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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K03203/01
Title: THE CHARACTER OF DIESEL EMISSIONS AS A FUNCTION OF FUEL COMPOSITION
Principal Investigator: Rhead, Dr M
Other Investigators:
Bell, Dr M Braven, Dr J Trier, Dr C
Fussey, Professor D
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BP Perkins Engines
Department: Environmental Sciences
Organisation: University of Plymouth
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 1995 Ends: 31 December 1997 Value (£): 195,591
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Combustion
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Despite a sustained research effort in the UK and elsewhere to elucidate the composition of diesel emissions in relation to fuel/lube oil sources, it is apparent that the complex emissions matrix has not been unequivocally assigned to any particular source or mechanism. We propose to use a unique radiolabelling/stable isotope method to elucidate unequivocally the sources of selected PAC in diesel engine emissions. Selected 14C-PAH and 13C-PAH will be purchased or synthesised. By measuring the specific activity of the PAH spike collected in the emissions and comparing this with the corresponding specific activity added to the fuel, it will be possible to assess unequivocally the proportion of PAH surviving and that pyrosynthesised from other (non-labelled) sources. Pilot experiments have already indicated wide differences in this proportion. This method thus provides unique information on the sources of PAC in the emissions. In addition, the technique affords information on the production of other products from a particular spike, including possibly the mechanisms of pyrosynthesis. Statistical methods will be devised to derive a pattern recognition method that might enable fuel composition to be related to the emissions character.
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Organisation Website: http://www.plym.ac.uk