Application of radio-chromatographic techniques to diesel emissions research

The development of radio-high-performance liquid chromatographic (radio-HPLC) techniques and radio-gas chromatographic (radio-GC) techniques and their application to the field of diesel emission research is described. These techniques have been used to investigate the emission of organic components and specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in diesel exhaust. In a series of experiments radiolabelled [C-14]PAH tracers were combusted in a 2-1 direct injection Perkins Prima diesel engine. Exhaust emissions were sampled using an exhaust gas sampling system, the total exhaust solvent scrubbing apparatus. Radioactive products of combustion in the exhaust emissions were identified and quantified using both radio-GC and radio-HPLC. The benefits and limitations of each technique are discussed in the context of diesel emissions research.