E60 Evaporative Emissions
The control of the evaporative fuel vapors (Hydrocarbons) from the fuel tank is important for the overall reduction in vehicle emissions. The evaporative system has been combined with the ventilation of the fuel tank, which allows the tank to breath (equalization). The overall operation provides:
- An inlet vent, to an otherwise "sealed" fuel tank, for the entry of air to replace the fuel consumed during engine operation.
- An outlet vent with a storage canister to " trap and hold" fuel vapors that are produced by the expansion/evaporation of the fuel in the tank, when the vehicle is stationary.
The canister is then "purged" using the engine vacuum to draw the fuel vapors into the combustion chamber. This "cleans" the canister allowing for additional storage. Like any other form of combustible fuel, the introduction of these vapors on a running engine must be controlled.
The ECM controls the Evaporative Emission Valve which regulates purging of evaporative vapors. The evaporative system must be monitored for correct purge operation and Leak Detection.
The E60 fuel tank design reduces the potential evaporative emissions. This design reduces the number of external connections and openings by increasing the amount of "in tank" or integral components including molding the filler pipe to the tank. In addition, the plastic walls of the fuel tank are made up of several layers.
- Service vent gases - service vent gases are created at high ambient temperatures by heating of the fuel.
- Filler vent gases - filler vent gases are created by the air displaced by fuel during refuelling.