New approaches for monitoring exhaust particulates
Particulates from road transport emissions have traditionally been controlled and reduced over the years through legislation based on their mass. Additional characteristics including size, number, surface area and composition also represent a possible basis for legislation. The Particulates project undertook an exhaustive study of particulate emissions from current and near future diesel and petrol vehicles under transient and steady-state conditions. Researchers also developed a harmonised measuring and sampling methodology and better tools for modelling air quality. Selected laboratories tested the procedure to determine the effectiveness of different technical solutions for reducing particulate emissions. The work undertaken included vehicle case studies, wind tunnel studies and measurement of non-exhaust emissions. Techniques based on particle number measurement were found to be highly sensitive and may be applied to research into vehicles and fuels that produce lower emissions. Results also indicated in some cases the number of solid particles did not always correlate with their mass. Therefore, further investigation was needed before solid particle number measurements could be used in a regulatory role. Project partners also recommended that developments in particle emissions performance of direct injection petrol vehicles should be closely monitored. Further research is also required into the chemical makeup of nucleation mode particles, and what happens to them in the atmosphere. Data from the Particulates project can help in the development of more effective regulations for controlling road transport emissions. The work will also contribute to the development of cleaner vehicles and fuels, thereby protecting both the environment and the health of the European public.
