What types of emissions are produced by diesel engines?
Diesel fuel is injected under pressure into the engine cylinder, where it mixes with air and combustion occurs. Compared to gasoline-powered engines, the lean nature of the diesel-air mixture results in a cooler combustion with smaller volumes of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) being produced. However, diesel engines do produce relatively high levels of gaseous emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and diesel particulate matter. These pollutants are particularly troublesome when diesel-powered engines are operated in enclosed spaces, such as underground mines, construction zones, tunnels or warehouses.
