Study of the Temperature Behavior in the Flow of Combustion Gases of a Gasoline Engine in its Exhaust System Using the PTEC-593 Driving Cycle

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to analyze the temperature behavior along the exhaust system based on the PTEC-593 conduction cycle using thermocouples. A bibliographic review has been carried out to understand the temperature distribution throughout the system; therefore, four points were chosen for the study the exhaust manifold, before the catalyst, then the catalyst, and the end of the exhaust pipe. Thus, the vehicle exhaust system is coupled with type K thermocouples and modified to include a three-way catalyst and a new system with SAE J403 1008 steel pipe of 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The tests during the driving cycle were carried out in the city of Latacunga at an altitude of 2800 meters and an average temperature of 12 ∘ C. Other tests involved idling at different times of the day, and the last one was on the route of “the chasqui," so the vehicle is in several possible scenarios. As a result, the exhaust manifold temperature was higher than 417 ∘ C, the initial system temperature after the catalyst was 310 ∘ C, the exhaust pipe end temperature was lower than 160 ∘ C, and the idling temperature did not exceed 230 ∘ C. It was concluded that the best place to place a TEG is after the catalyst because at this time we do not affect the wrong readings of the lambda probe, which would lead to fuel consumption and high emissions of polluting gases.

Keywords

• thermal energy, exhaust temperatura, exhaust manifolds, catalysts, driving cycle, energy efficiency.