Evaluating agricultural tractors emissions using remote monitoring and emission tests in Beijing, China

• Published in: Biosystems engineering 2022-01, Vol.213, p.105-118
• Main Authors: Hou, Xiuning, Xu, Chen, Li, Jinfeng, Liu, Siyao, Zhang, Xuemin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural machinery emissions; Emission test; Remote monitoring system; Spatio-temporal variation; Tractor emissions
• ISSN: 1537-5110; 1537-5129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2021.11.017

Agricultural machinery has increasingly become a significant source of air pollution in China, more in-depth research is needed regarding the emissions. Given the seasonal and regional characteristics with agricultural machinery usage, it is necessary to accurately estimate the emission intensity and spatio-temporal distribution. This study using Beijing as the case study area, evaluated agricultural tractors emissions using remote monitoring and emission tests during 2020. The results show that tractors in Beijing emitted 80 t of carbon monoxide (CO), 21 t of hydrocarbons (HC), 104 t of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 10 t of particulate matter (PM), totalling 215 t in 2020 and that the emissions were unevenly distributed with the districts and counties of Beijing. Shunyi District contributed the most (31.546%) whilst Haidian District contributed the least, less than 1% of the total. The spatio-temporal variation of NOx and PM emissions showed that the higher emissions occurred in Spring and Autumn because of agricultural activities. Using the annual utilisation hours determined by remote monitoring throughout the year, the emission factors for tractors obtained from emission tests and the estimated emission inventory could supplement the emission database from agricultural machinery in the different regions of China to assist environmental pollution research and policy making. •Remote monitoring system of agricultural tractors was established.•71 agricultural tractors were monitored all the year round in Beijing.•Gaseous and PM emission rates of 14 tractors were measured using PEMS.•The spatio-temporal distribution analysis of emissions was established.