Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Particle- and gas-phase PAHs toxicity equivalency quantity emitted by a non-road diesel engine with non-thermal plasma technology

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) toxicity equivalency quantity (TEQ, denoted by benzo(a)pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) concentration) is more meaningful when evaluating the influence of non-road diesel engines PAH toxicity on environment. Particle- and gas-phase PAH BaPeq concentrations were calculated based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) results and toxic equivalency factors. A non-thermal plasma (NTP) reactor was applied to a non-road diesel engine to decrease PAH TEQ content. Only the gas-phase Nap BaPeq concentration increased slightly with the action of NTP at three different generator power outputs. BaP dominated the BaPeq concentration for 15 samples with, and without NTP except in the gas-phase at 4 kW. Almost all medium molecular weight (MMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) PAH TEQs increased for particle- and gas-phases at 3 kW power output compared to 2 kW without the use of NTP. Particle-phase Nap, Acp, and AcPy (low molecular weight, LMW) TEQ were under detection at 3 and 4 kW, while gas-phase BkF, IND, DBA, and BghiP (HMW) concentrations were below the limits of detection. The most abundant PAH TEQ compounds were MMW and HMW PAHs for gas- and particle-phase while they were BaA, CHR, BbF, BaP, and IND for PM aggregation. The total BaPeq emission factors were 15.1, 141.4, and 46.5 μg m−3 at three engine loads, respectively. Significant BaPeq concentration percentage reduction was obtained (more than 80 and 60 %) with the use of NTP for particle- and gas-phases. A high TEQ content was observed for PM aggregation (38.8, 98.4, and 50.0 μg kg−1) which may have caused secondary PAH toxicity emissions. With the action of NTP, the breakup of MMW and HMW into LMW PAHs led to reduction of some PAH concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Alkurdi F, Karabet F, Dimashki M (2013) Characterization, concentrations and emission rates of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the exhaust emissions from in-service vehicles in Damascus. Atmos Res 120:68–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babaie M, Davari P, Talebizadeh P et al. (2013) Study of particulate matter removal mechanism by using non-thermal plasma technology. Non-thermal plasma

  • Ballesteros R, Hernández J, Lyons L (2010) An experimental study of the influence of biofuel origin on particle-associated PAH emissions. Atmos Environ 44:930–938

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borrás E, Tortajada-Genaro LA, Vázquez M, et al. (2009) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exhaust emissions from different reformulated diesel fuels and engine operating conditions. Atmos Environ 43:5944–5952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen A (2003) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in exhaust emissions from mobile sources. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University Sweden, p 1–52.

  • Fan G, Li D, Zhang Z, et al. (2013) Emission characteristics of semi-volatile organic compounds from non-road diesel engine. J Tianjin Univ 52:4139–4147

    Google Scholar 

  • He C, Ge Y, Tan J, et al. (2010) Characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions of diesel engine fueled with biodiesel and diesel. Fuel 89:2040–2046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim MC, Ayoko GA, Morawska L, et al. (2005) Effect of fuel composition and engine operating conditions on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from a fleet of heavy-duty diesel buses. Atmos Environ 39:7836–7848

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin YC (2013) Reducing emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and greenhouse gases from engines using a novel plasma-enhanced combustion. Syst Aerosol Air Qual Res 13:1107–1115

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin YC, Lee WJ, Hou HC (2006a) PAH emissions and energy efficiency of palm-biodiesel blends fueled on diesel generator. Atmos Environ 40:3930–3940

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin YC, Lee WJ, Wu TS, et al. (2006b) Comparison of PAH and regulated harmful matter emissions from biodiesel blends and paraffinic fuel blends on engine accumulated mileage test. Fuel 85:2516–2523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu T, Huang Z, Cheung CS, et al. (2012) Size distribution of EC, OC and particle-phase PAHs emissions from a diesel engine fueled with three fuels. Sci Total Environ 438:33–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mabilia R, Cecinato A, Guerriero E, et al. (2006) Uncertainties of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and carbonyl measurements in heavy-duty diesel emission. J Sep Sci 29:302–307

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nisbet IC, LaGoy PK (1992) Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 16:290–300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Organization WH (1998) Selected non-heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

  • Pham CT, Kameda T, Toriba A, et al. (2013) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulates emitted by motorcycles. Environ Pollut 183:175–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Portet-Koltalo F, Machour N (2013) Analytical methodologies for the control of particle-phase polycyclic aromatic compounds from diesel engine exhaust. Diesel Engine Combustion, Emissions and Condition Monitoring Intech, ISBN, p 978–953

  • Song C-L, Bin F, Tao Z-M, et al. (2009) Simultaneous removals of NO x, HC and PM from diesel exhaust emissions by dielectric barrier discharges. J Hazard Mater 166:523–530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spezzano P, Picini P, Cataldi D, et al. (2008) Particle-and gas-phase emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from two-stroke, 50-cm 3 mopeds. Atmos Environ 42:4332–4344

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye D, Gao D, Yu G, et al. (2005) An investigation of the treatment of particulate matter from gasoline engine exhaust using non-thermal plasma. J Hazard Mater 127:149–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zielinska B, Sagebiel J, Arnott W, et al. (2004) Phase and size distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel and gasoline vehicle emissions. Environ Sci Technol 38:2557–2567

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the ‘Science and Technology Planning Project of Hebei Province, China (Grant No. 15273703D)’ for the financial support and the Beijing Centre of Physical and Chemical Analysis for the PAH measurements in diesel engine exhaust samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China

    Jianbing Gao, Chaochen Ma, Yajie Zhang, Jiangquan Liu & Hao Feng

  2. School of Vocational and Technical, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China

    Shikai Xing

Authors
  1. Jianbing Gao
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chaochen Ma
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shikai Xing
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yajie Zhang
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jiangquan Liu
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hao Feng
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chaochen Ma.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gao, J., Ma, C., Xing, S. et al. Particle- and gas-phase PAHs toxicity equivalency quantity emitted by a non-road diesel engine with non-thermal plasma technology. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 20017–20026 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7356-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7356-z

Keywords