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In this work, a new tool is proposed and tested to investigate the early phase of spark ignition (SI) processes. The diagnostic tool is based on Spark-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (SIBS), a consolidated technique in which the plasma formed by spark generation between two electrodes is used as the excitation source for optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The spark discharge of a commercial ignition system was analyzed through OES to correlate the characteristic evolution of the discharge with the formation of reactive species inside the activated volume. Specifically, an open-source spectrum simulation program (Lifbase) together with the NIST database was used for defining relations between the ultraviolet emission bands of nitrogen first negative system (FNS_N2) in the glow phase for different plasma temperature and pressure values.

It is well known that ethanol can be used in spark-ignition (SI) engines as a pure fuel or blended with gasoline. High enthalpy of vaporization of alcohols can affect air-fuel mixture formation prior to ignition and may form thicker liquid films around the intake valves, on the cylinder wall and piston crown. These liquid films can result in mixture non-homogeneities inside the combustion chamber and hence strongly influence the cyclic variability of early combustion stages. Starting from these considerations, the paper reports an experimental study of the initial phases of the combustion process in a single cylinder SI engine fueled with commercial gasoline and anhydrous ethanol, as well as their blend (50%vol alcohol). The engine was optically accessible and equipped with the cylinder head of a commercial power unit for two-wheel applications, with the same geometrical specifications (bore, stroke, compression ratio).

The role of Spark Ignition (SI) and Diesel engines as nanoparticles sources in urban area was investigated. Detection, sizing and counting of particles were realized at the exhaust of a Port Fuel Injection Spark Ignition (PFI SI) engine equipped with a Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) and a Unijet Common Rail (CR) Diesel engine equipped first with an Oxidation Catalyst (OC) and then with a Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter (CDPF). Engine operating conditions in high road traffic were considered. Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) was used as real-time measurements device for particle size distribution in the range from 7 nm up to 10000 nm. Broadband UV-Visible Extinction and Scattering Spectroscopy (BUVESS) allowed investigating the chemical and physical nature of emitted particles. It was observed that the major contribution to particulate mass is due to Diesel engine equipped with the OC, the other engines contribute only in terms of number concentration.

Two different optical techniques for detection, sizing and counting nanoparticles were applied to undiluted exhaust from 16 v–1900 cc Common Rail diesel engine upstream and downstream a Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter (CDPF): Broadband Ultraviolet–Visible Extinction and Scattering Spectroscopy (BUVESS) and Laser Induced Incandescence (LII). They are powerful “in situ” and non-intrusive techniques; they are able to measure mass concentration and size of particles, considering their chemical properties. BUVESS overcomes the intrinsic limitations of single wavelength techniques because it takes advantage of data at several wavelengths to retrieve primary particle size distribution. LII measures mean size of primary particles with a large dynamic range, not limited by aggregate size and by complex retrieving procedure.

The aim of the paper is the characterization in terms of chemical and physical nature of particles at exhaust of spark ignition (SI) engine. Measurements were carried out at exhaust of 16v - 1.2 litre Port Fuel Injection Spark Ignition engine downstream a catalyst. The emission of nanoparticles was investigated by optical techniques and conventional methods. In particular laser induced incandescence (LII), and broadband multiwavelength extinction-scattering spectroscopy (BUVESS) were used. LII allowed the detection and sizing primary particles of carbonaceous nature. BUVESS measured particle size distribution by numerical procedure that took advantage by data at several wavelengths. The optical results were compared with those obtained by conventional methods like opacimeter for mass concentration and Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) for sizing. Different engine operating conditions were selected in order to evaluate their influence on the particle nature and size distribution.