Originally Posted By: outoforder
Originally Posted By: DriveHard
EGR reduces NOx, that is correct. It does that by lowering the temperature of the combustion event. NOx is formed during very high combustion temperatures (which are ideal for lowering Particulate). It also makes the combustion event less efficient (complete) and increases the amount of particulate matter that is produced.
EGR functions in two ways to reduce the combustion event temperature. FIrst is displaces oxygen, making it harder for the vaporized fuel molecules to find an oxygen atom and combust. It slows the reaction in other words. Without the EGR, and just air in the combustion chamber, the reaction is much faster, and therefore creates higher temperatures (which creates NOx, but lowers particulate).
The second way EGr functions is by raising the thermal inertia of the system. The specific heat of exhaust gas is higher than that of normal air. That means it takes more energy to raise the temperature of exhaust gas than it does normal air. This means we have a lower peak temperature at the end of combustion...which also means a lower overall average pressure, and less torque that is produced from that given amount of fuel.
NOx and particulate have a direct inversely proportional relationship. There are several key "tuning" attributes to a diesel engine (timing, EGR, intake temp, combustion ratio, etc.) These tuning opportunities always have a trade-off. If you try to increase combustion efficiency and temperature, you increase NOx production. If you lower combustion temps and try to reduce NOx, you almost always increase particulate matter and lower overall efficiency. Remember, this is not a spark ignited engine where EGR can actually increase low power efficiency.
Ok, tell me if I'm understanding this correctly: by disabling the EGR, I decrease the amount of soot generate by the engine which will cause less DPF regeneration and possibly prolong the lifespan of the DPF. Without an EGR, how well would the SCR handle the NOx emissions? Would it just consume more DEF since there would be more NOx in the exhaust stream?
Because I did not design the control system for your particular application I can't say for certain how the system will respond. What may happen is that the system will throw an error and go into some sort of emissions limp mode...but really it is just a guess. You can be certain if you just disable EGR without some sort of reflash or new ECU, the computer is going to know it, and not be happy. It could "pull timing" or move the injection to later in the cycle, which can also reduce temperatures, and decrease NOx and increase particulate in an effort to offset the lack of EGR.
If the system were to react like you are describing, then yes, your logic holds true. If everything else remains the same, and you disable EGR, and the computer does not try to compensate, then your engine should produce less particulate and more NOx. The regen function of the particulate filter (PF) is usually based around a delta pressure across the filter...so less build up means less regen functions which means longer life. More NOx in the exhaust would for sure use more def fluid in the SCR system. That system relies on Urea (ammonia) to complete the reaction to break down the NOx. This may also mean a shorter lifespan of your ammonia slip catalyst (final step in SCR) as it is trying to deal with all the added ammonia that it was not originally made to handle...but I don't know that for certain.