DIESEL PARTICLE — Argonne researchers are using a unique combination of thermophoretic sampling techniques and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to observe the detailed geometry of diesel particulates.

Diesel particles give clues to cleaner engines

By Evelyn Brown

In the first use ever of a new three-dimensional technique to study diesel engine emissions, Argonne researchers developed information that could lead to improved exhaust-cleaning devices, ways for industry to meet environmental regulations, and new insights into the impact on public health from diesel engine emissions.

Engineers at Argonne's Center for Transportation Research determined that emission particles are not spheres, as is usually assumed, and that shape varies depending on engine speed and load.

Emissions from diesel engines are of concern because, like their gasoline counterparts, they contain nitrogen oxides -- NOx -- that contribute to smog and global warming. Also like gasoline engines, diesel engines produce exhaust that contains particles that can be inhaled and might cause health problems.

Diesels are the most efficient heat engines ever built. They are highly durable and 30 to 40 percent more fuel efficient than gasoline engines. Though not currently popular with U.S. auto buyers, diesels power trucks, trains and construction equipment in this country.

"Throughout Europe and the rest of the world, diesels are popular," explained mechanical engineer Raj Sekar, who leads the Engine and Emissions Research Group doing the research. "As the cost of fuel increases, diesel cars will look more attractive. If you have to pay $3 a gallon to fill your car, wouldn't you rather get 40 percent better fuel economy?"

Sekar's group studies in-cylinder combustion on engines ranging from cars to locomotives.

Using the dynamometer at Argonne's Engine Research Facility to operate the engines from idling to full load, engineers ran tests on a Mercedes 1.7 liter automotive diesel -- commonly used in passenger cars in Europe -- and a 2.4 liter single-cylinder version of Caterpillar truck diesel using pump-grade fuel.

Argonne mechanical engineers Kyeong Lee and Jerry Zhu (both ES), developed a bench-scale thermophoretic sampling technique to work on internal combustion engines. Their work revealed the form and structures of diesel engine particulates in three dimensions for the first time.

Emission samples were collected at two-foot-intervals along a nine-foot-long exhaust pipe. The exhaust temperatures ranged from 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit (650 degrees Celsius) near the engine to 200 degrees F (90 degrees C) at the tailpipe.

Lee analyzed the samples in the transmission electron microscope at Argonne's Electron Microscopy Center at 250,000 times magnification to reveal particle shape, form and microstructure. A spectroscope associated with the microscope revealed that the particulate matter is about 95 percent carbon, with smaller concentrations of oxygen, silicon and sulfur. "These chemicals may come mostly from fuel or lubrication oil," Sekar said.

"Small particles come out from the engine, but as they travel down the exhaust pipe and they start to cool, the particles attach to one another and may also chemically react," Sekar said. "What comes out of the engine may not necessarily be what comes out of the tailpipe, so this testing allows us to track particle transformation to understand what gets into the atmosphere."

"We hope that these results will guide the design of an advanced particulate trap or other mitigation devices," said Sekar. "We are also creating a database that will be used to study the health effects of emissions."

Previous tests have been simpler and mainly quantitative. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency standards are based on simple mass analyses. Exhaust is collected on filter paper and weighed to determine how much particulate matter is emitted.

Lee determined that temperature is the most sensitive parameter for particulate formation and destruction. The higher temperatures caused by carrying higher loads -- 2,500 revolutions per minute at 100 percent load -- reduced the primary particle sizes and produced significant oxidation, or combustion. He also found a broad size distribution of particles at various engine speeds and loads.

Particulate from the truck engine was more compact; particulate from the car engine was more chain-like.

Researchers also used an Argonne-patented technique called laser-induced incandescence on the engines, in addition to many commercial instruments. This technique provides real-time information about the mass, size and number of particles per liter of exhaust gas, even as engine operating conditions change.

Engineers are currently studying a gasoline-powered car engine for comparison. "Both diesel and gasoline engines produce the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide," Sekar said, "but since diesel is 30 to 40 percent more efficient, it produces 30 to 40 percent less carbon dioxide. And many more cars are powered by gasoline in this country."

Future research plans include investigating the relationship between engine operation and particulate formation and oxidation, examining particulate microstructure and exploring the impact of fuel properties on diesel particulate matter.

Argonne engineers worked with research partners at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Drexel University, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Brown University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Funding was provided by the FreedomCAR and Vehicles Technology Program in the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program.

An animated 3-D view of a diesel soot particle is online.

Ask the Directorate

Q. I've noticed that there are new vending machines at Argonne-East.  Everyone who gets a soda from the vending machine does not necessarily want a large, 20-ounce soda. Why do the vending machines no longer carry 12-ounce sodas?  Likewise, why were the Coke machines replaced? The vending machines I've seen have only a limited number of Cokes. Has the lab agreed to sell almost exclusively Pepsi?

A. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (BEPB), asked the Department of Energy (DOE) to grant a permit to operate vending services at Argonne-East. DOE did this, in accordance with existing law, in December 2003.

BEPB installed new vending machines, concentrating on 20-ounce bottles because their operating experience shows the industry has moved from 12-ounce cans to the bottles, which are deemed more desirable because of resealable caps and potentially fewer spills.

BEPB's decision to use Pepsi products was based on the ability to offer a wider selection of other Pepsi products (various juices, energy drinks, Gatorade, Starbucks chilled coffee, etc.), which can be found either in the Pepsi machines or in the beverage machines installed in some of the larger buildings.

Recognizing that there are probably employees who prefer Coke, BEPB added bottles of these products to the beverage machines.  Also, Coke products are available on site in the cafeteria as fountain drinks or in 20-ounce bottles and at the service station in 8-ounce glass bottles, 12-ounce cans, or 20-ounce bottles.

Employees may submit questions to askthedirectorate @anl.gov or fax them to ext. 2-5274. A link to the Ask-the-Directorate Web site can be found on the Inside Argonne home page at www.inside.anl.gov/.

Meetings to cover OSHA inspection

A series of lunchtime discussions will focus on the actions being taken at Argonne-East in the wake of a U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection in 2003.

Last summer, OSHA representatives toured the site to gain knowledge of hazards associated with our facilities and to assess Argonne-East against the general industry standards.  The laboratory received a list of OSHA citations, many of which are being addressed and corrected.

The Environment, Safety and Health/Quality Assurance Division will host educational working lunches on May 13, 20 and 27, in the Building 213 Cafeteria, Dining Room A, from noon to 1 p.m. Attendees can bring their own lunches or purchase them from the cafeteria.

Attendees will receive an informative packet covering the 26 cited sections. Each packet will include OSHA's recommended abatement, abatement discussion, representative photographs and the applicable OSHA subpart section notation. Other subparts will be reviewed in upcoming lunch seminars.

Class size is limited to 30. For more information or to register, contact Greg Dely (EQO) at gdely@anl.gov or ext. 2-6440. 

ES invited to demonstrate
new decontamination tech

Members of the Energy Systems Division have been invited to present their work at the Technology Days 2004 at Scott Air Force Base to be held May 5-6. This base, near Belleville, is the headquarters of the Air Mobility Command of the U.S. Air Force.

The presentation will center on "Gas-Phase Decontamination Technology for Sensitive Equipment and Other Applications," a project led by Jack O'Neill with participation of Patrick Wilkey, John Schneider, Laura Skubal, Larry Reed, and Ken Brubaker (all ES), and co-investigators Karl Arnold from Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies and Alan Snelson of Alion Science and Technology. The presentation will also summarize other Argonne technologies and activities.

The project focuses on the development of a portable gas-phase decontamination unit that can be used directly on sensitive equipment contaminated with chemical or biological agents. The project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences and by the Department of Homeland Security.

Running Club plans events
for beginners, early risers

The Argonne Running Club's May calendar includes a morning run Tuesday, May 11, and a beginner's run Monday, May 17.

Early risers can take part in a four-mile run or a two-mile walk, beginning at 7:15 a.m. at the Waterfall Glen trailhead (in the parking lot at Cass and Northgate roads). This event takes place on the crushed limestone path in Waterfall Glen.

The beginner's run will start from the Argonne Pool at noon. There will be one-, two- and three-mile courses for runners or walkers to choose from. There will be a wide array of routes to encourage all levels of runners and walkers to participate.

All site employees and their guests are welcome, and refreshments will be served after each event.

'Xtreme run' to support local schools

All Argonne employees are welcome to join the Argonne Running Club in a run to support Anne M. Jeans Elementary and Burr Ridge Middle schools. The Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 run will take place Saturday, Aug. 14, at Argonne Park.

The money raised from registration fees for the race and from sponsors will be used for programs in School District 180.

Cost is $30 prior to Aug. 7; employees can register online. The 10-mile adult run will start at 8 a.m. and 1¹/₄-mile youth run will start at 10:15 a.m. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded following the race.

For more information, call Paul Eident (CHM) at ext. 2-3579.

HR planning college fair

Representatives from 16 area colleges will answer questions about course offerings, degree requirements and class schedules at Argonne-East Tuesday, May 11.

The event will be held in the Building 213 Cafeteria from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The college fair is open to all employees.

Human Resources' Performance Development office will provide information about Argonne's Educational Assistance Program and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). CLEP is a program through which college credits can be granted for learning derived from life experiences.

For more information about the college fair, call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410.

IPD's newest color copier is fast, flexible

A latest-generation color copier has been installed at the Information and Publishing Division (IPD) Print Shop which can digitally print documents, flyers and other print materials from electronic files.

Customers can pick a specific weight and type of paper stock and print up to 11 by 17 inches from edge to edge or double-sided.

Electronic files to be printed can be sent in PDF or Microsoft Word format as an e-mail attachment, or supplied on CD-ROM, Zip disk and other media.

IPD designers can assist with files needing extra attention, or those with embedded graphics or unusual fonts. Contact Mary Jo Koelbl at ext. 2-8820 for help.

The fast, inexpensive, high-quality printing system is automated. Color pages can be inserted automatically into the bulk of a black and white text document. This eliminates labor-intensive hand-insertion, saving time and money.

To tour IPD facilities, or for more information, contact Gary Weidner at ext. 2-7213 or Carole Szpunar at ext. 2-6063.

CIS Classes

Classes offered by Computing and Instrumentation Solutions are held in Argonne-East's Building 201, Room 167. Unless otherwise specified, classes are limited to eight participants and cost $215. Complete computer class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are available online. For information about enrollment, contact Diane Cavazos (CIS) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov.

June classes

"Advanced Word 2000" (CIS108) -- Tuesday, June 1, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Advanced Excel 2000" (CIS109) -- Wednesday, June 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Advanced Access 2000" (CIS110) -- Thursday, June 3, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Introduction to PowerPoint 2000" (CIS106) -- Friday, June 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"Advanced PowerPoint 2000" (CIS107) -- Monday, June 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Unix Classes

"Beginning Unix" (CIS564) -- Tuesday, June 8, 9 a.m. _ noon and Thursday, June 10, 9 a.m. - noon. No cost.

"vi Editor in Unix" (CIS567) -- Friday, June 11, 9 a.m. - noon. No cost.

TIAA Interest Rates

TIAA has revised the interest rates for the second quarter of 2004.

Retirement vendors to visit ANL-E

The laboratory's retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne-East during May.

To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.

Fidelity -- Tuesday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 25. Call the appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.

TIAA-CREF -- Tuesday, May 25, and Wednesday, May 26. Call the appointment desk at (800) 842-2005.

Prudential -- Wednesday, May 19. Call Cheryl at (847) 619-3519.

Questions about Social Security to be answered

A representative of the Social Security Administration's Joliet office will visit Argonne-East's Human Resources office Wednesday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to noon.

To schedule a meeting with the Social Security representative, call ext. 2-2989.

Zeiss 'scopes to be shown in mobile lab

The "Mat Mobile," an 18-wheel microscopy laboratory from Carl Zeiss, Inc., will visit Argonne-East Wednesday, May 19.

The Mat Mobile will exhibit materials microscopes in the Building 212 parking lot, just south of the Building 213 Cafeteria, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In Memoriam

Herbert G. Brown, a retired quality control engineer with six years of service in the Quality Assurance Division, died March 12. His wife, Nora, and daughter, Jean Sanders, survive him.

Edmund Glowacki, a retired maintenance mechanic with 19 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division, died March 23. His wife, Florence, survives him.

Thomas J. Lahey, a retired waste management operator foreman with 48 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division, died March 3. His wife, Phyllis, survives him.

David H. Lennox, a retired senior chemical engineer with 36 years of service in the Reactor Engineering Division, died March 15. His son and daughter survive him.

Clara Moffat, a retired executive secretary with 25 years of service in the Materials Science Division, died Jan. 3. Her nephew, Donald Myers, survives her.

Thaddeus Rybarczyk, a retired foreman with 34 years of service in the Supply Division, died March 21. His wife, Phyllis, survives him.

Ed Simek, an associate designer with 27 years of service in the Nuclear Engineering Division, died March 30. His wife, Shannon, survives him.

Roger Smith, a retired plant operations foreman with 28 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division, died March 5. His wife, Rosa Lee, and son, Roger, Jr., survive him.