Diesel Particulates

Diesel fuel is a high-density high molecular “weight” liquid, which is difficult to burn to complete combustion products of steam and carbon dioxide UNLESS high-air temperatures and good fuel-spray conditions are established. Satisfactory, hot engine running temperature and high air to fuel ratios produce steam exhaust gases.

Unsatisfactory conditions, such as a cold engine, air to fuel ratios near to SMOKE POINT, dribbling injectors or poor spray cause emissions in the exhaust gases that are only hydrocarbons, which with unburned carbon (soot) cause heavy particles to be dumped from the exhaust pipe. Such particles are called DIESEL PARTICULATES.