Variation in Long-Term Emissions Data from NSCR-Equipped Natural Gas-Fueled Engine

Authors: Kirby S. Chapman (speaker), Mohamed Toema, and Sarah Nuss-Warren, Kansas State University National Gas Machinery Laboratory.

Venue: ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division 2009 Spring Technical Conference, May 3–6, Milwaukee, WI. http://www.asmeconferences.org/ICES09/index.cfm [external site].

Abstract: This paper describes work on a project to characterize pollutant emissions performance of non-selective catalytic reduction (NSCR) technology, including a catalyst and air-to-fuel ratio controller (AFRC), applied to four-stroke cycle rich-burn engines. Emissions and engine data were collected semi-continuously with a portable emissions analyzer on three engines in the Four Corners area. In addition, periodic emissions measurements that included ammonia were conducted several times. Data collected from October 2007 through August 2008 show significant variation in emissions levels over hours, days, and longer periods of time, as well as seasonal variation. As a result of these variations, simultaneous control of NOx to below a few hundred parts per million (ppm) and CO to below 1,000 ppm volumetric concentration was not consistently achieved. Instead, the NSCR/AFRC systems were able to simultaneously control both species to these levels for only a fraction of the time the engines were monitored. Both semi-continuous emissions data and periodically collected emissions data support a NOx-CO trade-off and a NOx-ammonia tradeoff in NSCR-equipped engines.

Related NETL Project
This presentation is related to the NETL project DE-FC26-02NT15464, “Cost-effective Reciprocating Engine Emissions Control and Monitoring for E&P and Gathering Engines.” This project is intended to create a computerized database inventory of compressor engines being used in the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry to evaluate emissions control technologies in the lab and in field tests and to encourage technology transfer.

NETL Project Contact
KSU - Kirby Chapman (chapman@ksu.edu or 785-532-2319)