In-Plume Emission Test Stand 2: Emission Factors for 10- to 100-kW U.S. Military Generators

Abstract

Although emissions of air pollutants from some military tactical equipment are not subject to the emissions standards, local communities near military bases must conform to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Military diesel generators are widely used in training. A portable in-plume system was used to measure fuel-based emission factors (EFs) for particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and hydrocarbons (HCs) for 30-, 60-, and 100-kW generators at five load levels and for cold starts. It was found that EFs depend on multiple parameters including engine size, engine load, unit age, and total running hours. The average CO EF of generators tested was 5% lower, and the average NO_x EF was 63% lower than AP-42 estimates; average PM EF was 80% less than the AP-42 estimates. A 2002 model-year 60-kW engine produced 25% less PM than a 1995 engine of the same family with similar running hours. CO EFs decrease with increasing engine load, NO_x EFs increase up to mid-loads and decrease slightly at high loads, PM EFs increase with loads for 30- and 60-kW engines. CO and PM have higher EFs and NO_x has a lower EF during cold starts than during hot-stabilized operation. PM chemical source profiles were also examined.