Atmospheric Pollutants

Unburnt hydrocarbons
1. Caused by evaporative emissions and incomplete combustion
2. Contributes to the formation of photochemical smog, causing respiratory problems
3. Reduced by catalytic converters and Oxygenates- but this means that CO2 is increased
Carbon monoxide
1. Incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
2. Toxic to humans, as it decreases the uptake of oxygen by the blood
3. Reduced by Catalytic convertors and oxygenates- but this means CO2 is increased. Also reduced by lean burn engines, but this may mean unburnt Hydrocarbons are increased
Carbon Dioxide
1. Complete combustion of hydrocarbons
2. Causes greenhouse effect and global warming
3. Hydrogen is the only petrol alternative that doesn't produced CO2
Nitrogen oxides
1. Nitrogen FROM THE AIR reacts with oxygen FROM THE AIR in the high temperature of the engine
2. Contributes to formation of photochemical smog, and causes acid rain
3. reduced by catalytic converters, but CO2 is increased. Also reduced in lean burn engines,but this may mean more unburnt hydrocarbons
Sulphur Oxides
1. Sulphur in petrol reacts with oxygen in air in the heat of the engine
2. Causes acid rain, with erodes limestone buildings and damages forests and lakes
3. Low sulphur fuel can be produced by DESULPHURISATION
Alternative fuels
1. Diesel
  1. non- sustainable
  2. Less CO produced
  3. Produces more NOx
2. LPG or Autogas
  1. Non sustainable, as crude oil is running out
  2. Less CO, CO2, unburnt hydrocarbons and NOx than from petrol engines
  3. Petrol engines are easily converted
  4. But needs to be stored under pressure so that it's a liquid
3. Ethanol
  1. possibly not sustainable- large amounts of energy needed for cultivating sugar cane for fermentation
  2. Less CO, SO2, and NOx produced
  3. higher octane number
  4. Sugar cane absorbs CO2 in growth
  5. Highly flammable
4. Biodiesel
  1. can be made from waste plant & animal oils and fats, so its renewable, but fossil fuels may be used as an energy source in production
  2. Living things absorbed CO2. it is biodegradable, so less CO, unburnt HC's SO2 and particulates than from diesel engine
  3. NOx emissions higher than diesel engine
5. Hydrogen
  1. Only sustainable if electricity needed for electrolysis of water is from a renewable source such as solar cells
  2. Water is the only product of combustion, but H2 is highly flammable, & a high pressure in fuel tank is needed to store it as a liquid

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Atmospheric Pollutants

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	Created by poppyekoronka almost 11 years ago