Characteristics of ultrafine particles emitted from a dimethyl ether (DME) engine

Measurements of exhaust particle number concentration and size distribution from a dimethyl ether (DME) engine at different engine loads and speeds were carried out by using a two-stage dilution system and an SMPS. The results of the DME engine were compared with those of the original diesel engine. The fuel composition had significant effects on the exhaust particle size distribution, the total exhaust particle number and mass concentrations. Compared with those of the DME engine, the particle mass emissions of the diesel engine increased 5.7-17.7 times. At high engine speed (n=2200 r/min), compared with those of the DME engine, the total particle number emissions of the diesel engine increased 0.75-2.2 times, while the total particle number emissions of the diesel engine decreased by about 50%-80% for middle and high loads at middle engine speed (n=1400 r/min). Compared with those of the DME engine, the total exhaust particle number concentrations in the accumulation mode of the diesel engine increased 4.2-62.6 times and the exhaust particle geometric number mean diameters in the accumulation mode increased by about 10-30 nm. This correlated with higher oxygen level and lack of C-C bonds in DME. A lot of nucleation mode particles were emitted from the DME engine, this correlated with the processes of nucleation and condensation of the volatile and semi-volatile compounds in the exhaust gas. © 2008 Science in China Press.