Exhaust Composition<i>in Relation to Fuel</i>Composition

Abstract

Among six fuels studied it was found that the hydrocarbon composition of the integrated exhaust gases was in each case related to the composition of its parent fuel. The make-up of the fuel determines the exhaust composition not only in regard to relative concentrations of the unburned fuel components but also the types and quantities of cracked products formed. The cracked products were found to consist almost entirely of C/sub 2/ to C/sub 4/ olefins and C/sub 2/-C/sub 3/ acetylenes. The paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons recovered in the exhaust gases were shown to follow closely the relative concentrations found in the parent fuel. The aromatic compounds benzene and toluene did not follow this trend but are found in greater relative concentrations in the exhaust. The reason for this apparent increase is not known. The olefinic compounds are of major interest in that they have been found to be one of the principal reactants in Los Angeles smog. 10 references, 5 figures, 6 tables.