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1256089 
Journal Article 
Characterization of lubrication oil emissions from aircraft engines 
Yu, Z; Liscinsky, DS; Winstead, EL; True, BS; Timko, MT; Bhargava, A; Herndon, SC; Miake-Lye, RC; Anderson, BE 
2010 
1 
Environmental Science & Technology
ISSN: 0013-936X
EISSN: 1520-5851 
44 
24 
9530-9534 
English 
21090602 
WOS:000285266900046 
In this first ever study, particulate matter (PM) emitted from the lubrication system overboard breather vent for two different models of aircraft engines has been systematically characterized. Lubrication oil was confirmed as the predominant component of the emitted particulate matter based upon the characteristic mass spectrum of the pure oil. Total particulate mass and size distributions of the emitted oil are also investigated by several high-sensitivity aerosol characterization instruments. The emission index (EI) of lubrication oil at engine idle is in the range of 2-12 mg kg(-1) and increases with engine power. The chemical composition of the oil droplets is essentially independent of engine thrust, suggesting that engine oil does not undergo thermally driven chemical transformations during the ∼4 h test window. Volumetric mean diameter is around 250-350 nm for all engine power conditions with a slight power dependence.