Is an Air-Fuel Ratio Greater Than 14.7 Rich or Lean?
1 Answers
An air-fuel ratio greater than 14.7 is considered rich. Below is an introduction to the air-fuel ratio: 1. Overview: The air-fuel ratio (A/F, where A stands for air and F stands for fuel) is the ratio of air mass to fuel mass in a combustible mixture. It is a crucial parameter for engine operation, significantly impacting exhaust emissions, engine power, and fuel economy. 2. Principle: To achieve optimal catalytic efficiency (over 90%), an oxygen sensor must be installed in the engine's exhaust pipe for closed-loop control. The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen concentration in the exhaust and converts it into an electrical signal sent to the ECU, keeping the engine's air-fuel ratio within a narrow, near-ideal range (14.7:1). If the air-fuel ratio is too high, although the conversion rates of CO and HC slightly improve, the NOx conversion rate drops sharply to 20%. Therefore, maintaining the optimal air-fuel ratio is essential, and ensuring the proper functioning of the oxygen sensor is key to achieving this.