Abstract
The aim in this study is to develop the combined EGR system with a non-thermal plasma reactor for reducing exhaust emissions and improving fuel economy in turbo intercooler ECU common-rail diesel engines. In this study, the characteristics of soot, CO and $CO_2$ emissions under four kinds of engine loads are experimentally investigated by using a four-cycle, four-cylinder, direct injection type, water-cooled turbo intercooler ECU common-rail diesel engine with a combined plasma exhaust gas recirculation(EGR) system operating at three kinds of engine speeds. The EGR and non-thermal plasma reactor system are used to reduce $NO_x$ emissions, and the non-thermal plasma reactor and turbo intercooler system are used to reduce soot and THC emissions. The plasma system is a flat-to-flat type reactor operated by a plasma power supply. The fuel is sprayed by pilot and main injections at the variable injection timing between BTDC $15^{\circ}$ and ATDC $1^{\circ}$ according to experimental conditions. It is found that soot emissions with increasing EGR rate are increased, but are decreased as the applied electrical voltage of the non-thermal plasma reactor is elevated at the same engine speed and load. Results also show that CO and $CO_2$ emissions are increased as EGR rate is elevated, and CO emissions are increased, but $CO_2$ emissions are decreased as the applied electrical voltage of the non-thermal plasma reactor is elevated at the same engine speed and load.