Analysis of nano-particle emissions from gasoline direct injection engines utilizing non-thermal plasma and nickel foam technologies

Abstract

The present investigation aims to assess the efficacy of the integration of Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) technology with porous substrates, particularly nickel foam, for the mitigation of particulate matter (PM) emissions originating from Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. GDI engines, while offering enhanced fuel efficiency, are associated with higher concentrations of ultrafine PM, which pose significant environmental and health risks. Nickel foam, selected for its high surface area, thermal stability, and catalytic properties, is utilized to enhance PM filtration. Experimental results demonstrate that the integration of NTP technology with nickel foam significantly reduces both the number and mass of particles emitted by GDI engines. Specifically, PM removal efficiencies of up to 83 % were achieved at higher voltages (10 kV). However, energy consumption was found to increase substantially with voltage, emphasizing the need to optimize the balance between energy input and PM reduction. The study further reveals that increasing the thickness of the nickel foam from 0 to 6 mm enhances PM capture, but also increases the specific energy density required for PM reduction. The results showed that at lower voltages (2–4 kV), the combination of NTP and nickel foam was particularly effective, achieving significant PM reduction with lower energy consumption.