It is evident that a novel engineering solution is required in order to elevate a greater number of polluting cars into a higher category. There appears to be a paucity of direct interest in upgrading Euro 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 vehicles to the highest possible level, primarily through software modifications of the parameters determining the performance of the internal combustion engine (ICE). The potential for advancement in this area is evidenced by the presence of systems that enhance environmental efficiency, even in Euro 2 vehicles. These include exhaust gas recirculation, catalytic converter, lambda sensor, electronic control fuel injection, and ignition timing. It is precisely these vehicles that are subject to optimization, a process which would allow the maximum service life of otherwise more reliable but older vehicles to be exploited.

This study investigates the relationship between exhaust gas composition, particle number (PN) emissions, and soot microstructure of a 1.9 L compression-ignition engine operated under six controlled steady-state load regimes at 2000 min⁻¹. Unlike standardized transient procedures (e.g., WLTP), the steady-state approach enables isolation and quantification of fundamental thermochemical processes governing soot formation and NO_x production, providing engine-out data highly relevant for understanding Euro 7 emission behavior at the source. The novel contributions of this study include (i) a combined macroscopic–microscopic analysis linking PN emissions with SEM/EDS-based soot morphology; (ii) distribution-based estimation of soot mass concentration using experimentally derived primary particle sizes; and (iii) an experimental demonstration of the NO_x–soot trade-off across increasing load, supported by microstructural evidence of soot oxidation and agglomeration. The results show a clear decrease in PN concentrations with increasing load (from 1.31 × 10⁷ to 6.4 × 10⁶ cm⁻³), accompanied by a marked rise in NO_x emissions and exhaust temperature. SEM analysis confirms a transition from fine, weakly agglomerated soot structures at low load to more compact, oxidized aggregates at high load. Distribution-based particle sizing (20–80 nm, average ~45 nm) yields soot mass estimates that are consistent with theoretical trends and more accurate than fixed-radius approaches. These findings provide experimentally supported insights into engine-out particulate behavior that complements regulatory PN metrics in Euro 7, offering a mechanistic basis for improved emission control strategies and for interpreting PN-focused regulatory thresholds under real-world operating conditions.

This study provides a comparison between the impact of two gas fuels, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen (H₂), on the exhaust emissions of a single-cylinder diesel engine operating in dual-fuel mode. The analysis is conducted with a constant and maximum achieved gas-to-total-fuel ratio (K = 20% and K = max) under varying load conditions, specifically at an engine speed of 2000 min⁻¹ and brake mean effective pressures ranging from 0.2 to 0.43 MPa. The results reveal that H₂ significantly improves the engine’s emissions profile compared to CNG. When H₂ is used as the secondary fuel, reductions in soot, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and unburned hydrocarbons (CHs) are more pronounced. However, under certain load conditions, nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions are higher with H₂ than with CNG and can even surpass those observed during diesel-only operation. These findings suggest that while H₂ demonstrates superior overall emissions performance, its impact on NO_x emissions under specific conditions requires further optimization to maximize environmental benefits.

The publication presents the methodologies developed by the authors for conducting experimental studies in the field of gaseous fuels used in internal combustion engines (ICEs). These methodologies are applicable to engine operation under test bench conditions. They cover both engines with compression ignition and those with spark ignition of the fuel mixture. For spark ignition engines, the methodologies consider both their operation solely on gaseous fuel and in dual-fuel mode with gasoline. The implementation of the methodologies is illustrated through various examples related to ICE operation with gaseous fuels.

This study presents a single-case multi-sensor experimental study of thermal loading and emission variation in a high-mileage gasoline engine operating at idle under deliberately impaired cooling until mechanical failure. A production vehicle equipped with a naturally aspirated gasoline engine with a displacement of 1600 cc was operated under relatively steady-state conditions at idle, while gaseous emissions (CO, CO₂, HC, NO_x, and O₂), air–fuel ratio λ, particle number (PN), oil temperature, infrared thermal indicators, and acoustic performance variation were continuously monitored. The results are interpreted primarily in terms of their dependence on the engine oil temperature. They show that despite stable conditions of the air–fuel ratio and an almost constant amount of residual oxygen in the exhaust gases, progressive thermal loading leads to pronounced changes in the behavior of the emissions emitted by the engine during its operation. Hydrocarbon emissions show increased variability and escalation at elevated engine oil temperatures, while nitrogen oxides show a strong temperature-dependent increase, consistent with thermally driven formation mechanisms. The most significant response is observed in the particle number (PN) emissions, which go from low and stable levels to a rapid, multi-step increase in a narrow temperature range preceding mechanical failure. Under the tested cooling impairment scenario, emission behavior was dominated by cumulative thermal stress rather than mixture composition effects. In the investigated case, particle number emissions emerged as a sensitive indicator of system-level thermal instability. The findings provide experimentally documented insight into the system-level progression toward thermal runaway under impaired cooling conditions and its measurable impact on emission behavior in the tested engine.

This article delves into the influence of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) on the heat release rate of a D3900 diesel engine operating under a dual-fuel cycle, specifically at mid loads (45%). The study explores the effects of varying proportions of CNG in the total fuel supplied to the engine. Experimental investigations reveal a consistent reduction in heat release rate during dual-fuel operation, proportionate to the quantity of CNG introduced into the combustion process. Notably, the research identifies that the maximum heat release rate occurs at higher crankshaft angles. The article also contains information regarding the in-cylinder pressure and temperature when the engine operates in dual-file mode. These findings contribute valuable insights into the combustion characteristics of dual-fuel systems, shedding light on the interplay between CNG proportions and heat release dynamics in the D3900 diesel engine at mid loads.