Effect of oil age on polyaromatic hydrocarbon emissions from automobiles

Automobiles are known to emit polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The literature indicates that the emission levels of these compounds are correlated with oil age, and it has been hypothesized that entry of oil into the combustion chamber is a major cause of these emissions. This experiment investigated the relationship between oil age and these polyaromatic hydrocarbon emissions. It was found that the three polyaromatics of interest seem to be emitted inconsistently and irregularly. It is possible that this was due to a buildup on the combustion chamber walls of these compounds: polyaromatics are formed in the quench layer near these walls and can accumulate there until dynamic equilibrium is reached. This may not have been reached at the time of the investigation since the engine was relatively new. This would be of interest for future investigations.