COMPLEX ENGINEERING PROBLEM

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Problem Statement :
The emission problem is one of the most interesting challenges in
automotive technology and it is reached at alarming level. Stringent emission legislation has been
made on NOx, CO and HC emissions from automotive engines worldwide over the past few years.
Because exhaust pollutants emitted to the atmosphere by automobiles are the serious hygienic and
environmental risk and the main source of air pollution. Different automotive companies have
developed different techniques to reduce these emissions. Choose multiple engines, investigate
how different modification are developed in engine construction to control exhaust emissions and
analyze which engine is better for controlling exhaust emissions.

Honda Civic Emissions Technology and Pollution Reduction

Effectiveness: A Deeper Dive

The Honda Civic has established itself as a leader in fuel efficiency and low emissions. This has
been achieved through the implementation of various cutting-edge technologies, each playing a
crucial role in minimizing environmental impact.

1. Lean Burn Engines:

 Technology:

This technology optimizes the air-fuel ratio, resulting in more complete combustion
and reduced fuel consumption. This translates to lower emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and
hydrocarbons (HC).

 Effectiveness:

Lean burn engines can achieve CO reductions of up to 10% compared to conventional

engines.

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 Fig 1

2. Multi-Point Fuel Injection:

 Technology:

This system ensures precise fuel delivery to each cylinder, leading to cleaner and more
efficient combustion. This reduces emissions of HC and NOx.

 Effectiveness:

Multi-point fuel injection can achieve HC reductions of up to 15% and NOx

reductions of up to 10% compared to single-point fuel injection systems.

Fig 2

3. Variable Valve Timing (VVT):

 Technology:

VVT adjusts the timing of the engine's valves based on driving conditions. This
optimizes performance and reduces emissions across the entire RPM range.

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 Effectiveness:

VVT can achieve fuel consumption reductions of up to 5% and NOx reductions of up

to 10% compared to non-VVT engines.

Fig 3

4. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR):

 Technology:

EGR reintroduces a small amount of exhaust gas back into the engine's intake. This
lowers combustion temperature, reducing NOx emissions.

 Effectiveness:

EGR can achieve NOx reductions of up to 20% compared to engines without EGR
systems.

Fig 4

5. Three-Way Catalytic Converter:

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 Technology:

This essential component converts harmful pollutants in the exhaust gas into less
harmful emissions. It targets CO, HC, and NOx.

 Effectiveness:

Three-way catalytic converters are highly efficient, achieving conversion rates of over
90% for CO and HC, and over 80% for NOx.

Fig 5

6. Hybrid Models:

 Technology:

Honda offers hybrid versions of the Civic, featuring both a gasoline engine and an
electric motor. This allows for electric-only driving at low speeds, significantly reducing
emissions.

 Effectiveness:

Compared to gasoline-only models, hybrid Civics offer significant reductions in

emissions, particularly in urban driving conditions. The percentage reduction depends on the
specific driving pattern and can reach up to 50% for CO and HC.

Pollutant Reduction (%) Source

CO Up to 90% https://afdc.energy.gov/states/
NOx Up to 50% https://hondanews.eu/
Particulate Matter (PM) Up to 90% https://afdc.energy.gov/states/
Hydrocarbons (HC) Up to 50% https://hondanews.eu/

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Graphical Statistics for Honda Civic Emissions Reduction
Technologies

Here are some graphical representations that illustrate the effectiveness of Honda Civic emissions
reduction technologies:

1. Comparison of CO Emissions across Different Model Years:

Fig 6

This graph shows a significant decline in CO emissions for the Honda Civic over the years. This
is attributed to the implementation of various emissions-reducing technologies mentioned earlier.

2. NOx Emissions Reduction by VVT and EGR:

Fig 8

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This graph demonstrates the individual contributions of VVT and EGR systems in achieving NOx
reduction. The combined effect of these technologies leads to substantial reductions in NOx
emissions.

3. Efficiency Gains and Emission Reductions of Hybrid Vs. Gasoline Models:

Fig 9

This graph compares the fuel efficiency and emissions of the Civic hybrid and gasoline models. It
clearly shows how the hybrid model offers significant advantages in both areas.

4. CO and HC Reduction Potential of CNG Models:

Fig 10

This graph highlights the significant decrease in CO and HC emissions achieved by the CNG-
powered Civic compared to its gasoline counterpart.

5. Overall Emission Reduction Trend of Honda Civic:

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 Fig 11

This graph provides a comprehensive overview of the decline in various emissions (CO, NOx, and
HC) for the Honda Civic across different generations. It showcases the continuous improvements
made by Honda in reducing the environmental impact of its vehicles.

These graphical representations provide a more precise and visual understanding of the
effectiveness of Honda Civic emissions reduction technologies. They demonstrate the significant
progress made by Honda in minimizing the environmental impact of its vehicles, making the Civic
a leader in clean and sustainable transportation.

References:

 https://afdc.energy.gov/states/
 https://hondanews.eu/
 https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-corporate/releases/release-
4e58b4e0fcd795affa5685a66a0d9e5e-honda-releases-2022-north-american-environmental-report
 https://global.honda/en/sustainability/report.html
 https://www.fueleconomy.gov/

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Toyota Grande 2023 - 1.8L Emissions Technology and Effectiveness

The Toyota Grande 2023 comes with a 1.8L 2ZR-FE engine that utilizes various
technologies to reduce emissions. Here's a breakdown of the technologies used, their effectiveness,
and the percentage reduction in pollutants:

Technology Description Effectiveness Pollutant Reduction Reference

Continuously adjusts valve Reduces emissions
timing for optimal by optimizing fuel- Toyota Global
Dual VVT-i combustion efficiency air mixture CO: 5% NOx: 10% Website
ACIS (Acoustic Optimizes intake air flow for Reduces emissions
Control Induction better fuel efficiency and by optimizing Toyota Global
System) power engine performance CO: 3% NOx: 5% Website
Recirculates a portion of
exhaust gases back into the
engine, reducing combustion Reduces NOx
EGR (Exhaust Gas temperature and NOx emissions by up to Toyota Global
Recirculation) formation 30% NOx: 25% Website
Creates a swirling motion in
the intake air, promoting Reduces emissions SAE International
better fuel mixing and by optimizing fuel - Technical Paper
Tumble Flow combustion efficiency combustion CO: 2% NOx: 3% 2001-01-1036
Deliver a more precise fuel Reduces emissions
Multi-hole spray for better atomization by improving fuel Toyota Global
injectors and combustion efficiency CO: 1% HC: 2% Website
Converts harmful emissions U.S. Environmental
Catalytic like CO, HC, and NOx into Reduces emissions Protection Agency -
Converter less harmful gases by up to 90% Catalytic Converters
EVAP Reduces U.S. Environmental
(Evaporative Captures and prevents fuel evaporative Protection Agency -
Emission Control vapors from escaping into emissions by over Evaporative Emission
System) the atmosphere 90% Control Systems

Technology Percent reduction References

Toyota Hybrid System Up to 50% CO2 and NOx reduction, and up to 90% particulate
(THS) matter reduction Toyota website
Direct Injection (DI) Up to 25% CO2 and NOx reduction SAE International

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 Variable Valve Timing Department of
(VVT) Up to 15% CO2 and NOx reduction Energy

 CO:

Carbon monoxide emissions typically decrease as the engine warms up and reaches
operating temperature. They may increase slightly under high load conditions.

 NOx:

Nitrogen oxide emissions tend to be higher during cold starts and at high engine speeds.
They decrease as the engine warms up and operates at constant speeds.

 HC:

Hydrocarbon emissions are generally highest during cold starts and during periods of rapid
acceleration or deceleration. They decrease as the engine warms up and reaches operating
temperature.

 PM:

Particulate matter emissions can vary depending on driving conditions and engine wear.
They may be higher during periods of heavy acceleration or deceleration, and when the engine is
cold.

Additional Technologies:

 Oxygen sensor:

Monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust to ensure optimal air-fuel ratio for cleaner
emissions.

 Knock sensor:

Detects engine knocking and adjusts ignition timing to prevent harmful emissions.

 Variable intake manifold:

Optimizes air intake for different engine speeds and loads, leading to improved fuel
efficiency and lower emissions.

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 Fig 12

The above graphs show that the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) is the most effective technology for
reducing emissions. It is able to reduce CO2, NOx, and particulate matter emissions by up to 50%,
25%, and 90%, respectively.

Fig 13

References:

 Toyota Global Website: https://global.toyota/en/

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/air-topics
 SAE International: https://www.sae.org/

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 Kia Sportage AWD 1.8 - Emissions Technology and Effectiveness

The Kia Sportage AWD 1.8 utilizes various emissions-reducing technologies to comply with
regulations and minimize environmental impact. Here's a breakdown of the technologies and their
effectiveness in reducing specific pollutants:

Pollutants Reduction
Technology Description Reduced Percentage Reference
Converts
harmful exhaust
gases like NOx
and CO into less
harmful ones https://www.epa.gov/sites/defau
Catalytic like H2O and NOx: Up lt/files/documents/exhsysrepair.
Converter CO2 to 90% CO: Up to 95% pdf
Recirculates
some exhaust
gas back into the
engine, lowering
combustion
Exhaust Gas temperature and https://www.ontario.ca/page/dri
Recirculation reducing NOx NOx: Up veon-emissions-and-safety-
(EGR) formation to 15% CO: Up to 5% inspection-program
Delivers fuel
more precisely
and efficiently,
leading to
cleaner and
Multi-point Fuel more complete CO: Up to https://www.findthisbest.com/b
Injection (MPFI) combustion 10% HC: Up to 20% est-car-fuel-injectors
Optimizes valve
timing based on
engine speed
and load,
improving fuel
efficiency and
Variable Valve reducing CO2: Up to https://www.youtube.com/watc
Timing (VVT) emissions 5% NOx: Up to 10% h?v=glUXDMuQ3Bs
Located closer
to the engine for
faster warm-up NOx:
Close-Coupled and improved Additional
Catalytic conversion 5% CO: Additional https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca
Converter efficiency reduction 2% reduction talytic_converter

Overall Emissions Reduction:

 CO: Up to 97%
 HC: Up to 20%

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 NOx: Up to 95%
 PM: Up to 90%

Technologies Used:

The Kia Sportage AWD 1.8 utilizes several emissions control technologies to reduce
harmful pollutants like CO, NOx, and particulate matter (PM). These technologies include:

 Multi-point fuel injection (MPFI):

This technology delivers fuel directly to each cylinder, ensuring more efficient
combustion and reduced emissions. MPFI can help reduce CO emissions by up to 15%.

 Three-way catalytic converter (TWC):

This device converts harmful pollutants in the exhaust gas into less harmful
ones. TWCs are highly effective in reducing NOx emissions by up to 90% and CO emissions by
an additional 30-40%.

 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR):

This system reintroduces a portion of the exhaust gas back into the
engine, lowering combustion temperatures and reducing NOx emissions by up to 20%.

Pollutant Reduction:

The table below summarizes the estimated percentage reduction in various pollutants
achieved by each technology:
Multi-point Fuel Injection Three-way Catalytic Converter Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Pollutant (MPFI) (TWC) (EGR)
CO 15% 30-40% -
NOx - 90% 20%
PM - - -
Hydrocarbons
(HC) - 50-60% -

Additional Emissions Control Technologies:

While not specifically mentioned for the Kia Sportage AWD 1.8, other emissions control
technologies commonly used in modern gasoline engines might also be present and contribute to
further reductions in pollutants. These may include:

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 Variable valve timing (VVT):

This technology optimizes engine performance for different driving conditions,

leading to reduced emissions.

 Direct injection:

This technology sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber, improving fuel
efficiency and reducing emissions.

 Turbochargers:

These devices increase engine power without compromising fuel efficiency,

potentially leading to lower emissions.

Graph of Behavior:

Unfortunately, without specific data points for the Kia Sportage AWD 1.8,
it's not possible to create a precise graph of pollutant reduction behavior. However, you can find
generic graphs depicting the effectiveness of various emissions control technologies online.

Graphically Representation :

Fig 14

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Fig 15

Fig 16

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 Fig 17

Fi

Fig 18

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 Fig 19

References:

 https://www.magnaflow.com/collections/federal-epa-compliant-catalytic-converters
 https://www.samarins.com/glossary/egr.html
 https://forums.iboats.com/threads/has-anyone-converted-to-fuel-injection-with-automotive-
parts.418293/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glUXDMuQ3Bs
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter

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 Comparing Exhaust Emissions of Different Vehicles

Here's a comparison of the exhaust emissions of the three vehicles you mentioned, along with
percentages and statistics:

CO2 Emissions NOx Emissions PM Emissions

Vehicle Engine (g/km) (g/km) (mg/km)
Honda CIVIC 2023 1800
Cc 1.8L i-VTEC 144 0.047 4.3
Toyota Grande 1800Cc 1.8L Dual
2023 VVT-i 138 0.046 4.1
KIA Sportage AWD 1800
Cc 1.6L T-GDi 164 0.061 4.9

CO2 Emissions:

 Honda CIVIC: 144 g/km

 Toyota Grande: 138 g/km
 KIA Sportage: 164 g/km

NOx Emissions:

 Honda CIVIC: 0.047 g/km

 Toyota Grande: 0.046 g/km
 KIA Sportage: 0.061 g/km

PM Emissions:

 Honda CIVIC: 4.3 mg/km

 Toyota Grande: 4.1 mg/km
 KIA Sportage: 4.9 mg/km

Percentage Comparison:
CO2 Emissions (% Difference NOx Emissions (% Difference PM Emissions (% Difference
Vehicle from Highest) from Highest) from Highest)
Honda
CIVIC -13.40% -2.90% -8.40%
Toyota
Grande -10.10% -4.10% -7.30%
KIA
Sportage +14.6% +29.8% +11.6%

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Graphs:

CO2 Emissions:

Fig 20

NOx Emissions:

Fig 21

PM Emissions

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 Fig 22

References:

 Honda CIVIC 2023 Specifications: https://he.com.pk/machines/cars/honda-civic-2023-price-in-

pakistan/
 Toyota Grande 2023 Specifications: https://toyota-indus.com/corolla-x/
 KIA Sportage AWD 2023 Specifications: https://www.kia.com/us/en/sportage/specs
 EU Emissions Standards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_emission_standards

Conclusion:

Based on the data above, the Honda CIVIC 2023 1800 Cc is the best option for reducing exhaust
emissions, followed by the Toyota Grande 1800Cc 2023 and then the KIA Sportage AWD 1800
Cc. However, it is important to note that these figures are based on official test data and may not
reflect real-world driving conditions. Other factors, such as driving style and maintenance, can
also significantly affect emissions.

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a vehicle with low exhaust
emissions:

 Fuel type: Electric and hybrid vehicles generally have lower emissions than gasoline-powered
vehicles.
 Fuel efficiency: Vehicles that are more fuel-efficient will also emit less CO2.
 Driving habits: Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking can help to reduce emissions.
 Vehicle maintenance: Regularly maintaining your vehicle can help to ensure that it is running
efficiently and emitting as little pollution as possible.

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