Evaluation of Real-World Gaseous Emissions Performance of Selective Catalytic Reduction and Diesel Particulate Filter Bus Retrofits

This study reports on the results of gaseous pollutants emission measurements of double-decker buses in an urban road network, using portable emission measurement systems (PEMS). Measured vehicles were tested by following in-service buses on regular routes. Six Euro II and Euro III buses were retrof...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2019-04, Vol.53 (8), p.4440-4449
Main Authors: Smit, Robin, Keramydas, Christos, Ntziachristos, Leonidas, Lo, Ting-shek, Ng, Kwok-lam, Wong, Hok-lai Anson, Wong, Carol Ka-lok
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
Air pollution control
Ammonia
Buses
Calibration
Catalysis
Diesel
Diesel fuels
Emission analysis
Emission measurements
Emission standards
Emissions
Environmental impact
Fluid filters
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen oxides
Nitrous oxide
Optimization
Particulates
Pollutants
Retrofitting
Selective catalytic reduction
Statistical analysis
Technology
Urban transportation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study reports on the results of gaseous pollutants emission measurements of double-decker buses in an urban road network, using portable emission measurement systems (PEMS). Measured vehicles were tested by following in-service buses on regular routes. Six Euro II and Euro III buses were retrofitted with diesel particulate filters (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or a combined SCR+DPF (SCRT) device. Substantial and statistically significant technology impacts were observed for several pollutants. Optimized SCR and SCRT retrofit technology reduced real-world NO x emissions by approximately 70%, on average. Retrofit DPF slightly reduced NO x emissions but increased direct NO2 emissions by more than a factor of 8, on average. SCRT led to about 70% lower NO2 levels than DPF alone, but for some vehicles higher NO2 levels were observed as compared with the “no retrofit” situation, warranting further investigation. None of the SCR systems were found to lead to a substantial increase in NH3 emissions after operation optimization. High NH3 and N2O emissions were occasionally observed while experience with the system calibration was being accumulated. Observed average N2O emission levels for “DPF+SCR” technology were relatively high at 182 mg/kg fuel, corresponding to 1.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The study shows that SCR retrofit programs can be effective for NO x reduction of transit buses but that proper calibration and regular emission monitoring are required.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.8b07223