Abstract

ARROYO TERAN, EDWIN SALOMÓN; CEVALLOS GONZALEZ, ANDRÉS FELIPE; IMBAQUINGONAVARRETE, ROMMEL PAÚL  and  MELO OBANDO, JORGE LUIS. Study of the effect of altitude on the emissions of exhaust gases in spark-ignition engines. Ing. Desarro. [online]. 2020, vol.38, n.1, pp.148-162.  Epub June 05, 2021. ISSN 0122-3461.  https://doi.org/10.14482/inde.38.1.629.25.

This research project shows the effect of altitude on the emissions of polluting gases from a spark ignition engine (SI engine), considering that in Ecuador and in Latin America, there are topographic variations that affect the conditions of vehicle operation. This work analyzes the emissions of polluting gases generated by a SI engine operating at different heights above sea level. Altitude is a very important factor in the performance of SI engine and in the emissions that it produces. Measurements were developed in three cities with different height above sea level (0, 2.200 and 3.000 masl), at four engine revolutions (idle, 2.000, 3.500 and 4.500 rpm) and at the same hour of the day. The emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) were measured. The results showed that the engine revolutions are the most important factor in the emission of CO and UHC; as the rpm increase, the percentage of CO is higher and the amount of UHC is reduced; however, in CO2 emissions, altitude has a more significant effect, decreasing as atmospheric pressure drops. Consequently, it is expected that the results achieved will promote future works to reduce harmful emissions to human health.

Keywords : altitude effect; emissions; exhaust gases; spark-ignition engine.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )