Reduction of NOx in C3H6/air mixtures over Cu/Al2O3 catalysts

The reduction of nitrogen oxides by propene in the presence of air under net oxidising conditions has been studied for two Cu/alumina catalysts of low (1%) and high (5%) copper loadings in a flow microreactor and by DRIFT. The reaction was studied in the range 473–773 K using mixtures of 2.5% NO, 1% C₃H₆ and 10% O₂ with a balance of nitrogen or helium, using samples which were pretreated in air at 673 K and also over samples which had been pre-exposed to SO₂ at 473 K. The surface species present under reaction conditions have been identified and the sensitivity of their adsorption sites in the two different loaded catalysts to SO₂ pre-treatment has been investigated. SO₂ adsorption enhanced NO adsorption at 473 K in the absence of oxygen and, in reaction, enhanced formation of NCO species leading to increased levels of adsorbed CO as a decomposition product.     

Promoting effect of calcium on reduction of NO by C3H6 over V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts

The reduction of nitrogen monoxide by propene on V₂O₅/ZrO₂ doped with or without calcium has been studied by FTIR spectroscopy as well as by analysis of the reaction products. Considerable promoting effect of calcium doping on the reduction of nitrogen monoxide by propene was observed on the V₂O₅/ZrO₂ catalysts. For the reaction of a mixture of NO+C₃H₆, carbonyl and carboxylate species were observed above 373 K, although nitrate species formed at room temperature on V₂O₅/ZrO₂ doped with calcium. No bands due to a compound including both carbon and nitrogen atoms were observed. Thus, the redox mechanism, i.e. propene reduces the catalyst and nitrogen monoxide oxidizes the catalyst, is confirmed on V₂O₅/ZrO₂ catalysts doped with or without calcium. The analysis of the V=O band in the region of 1100–900 cm⁻¹ indicates that this promotion is mainly due to new V=O species formed by the addition of calcium onto the catalyst. This species is easily reproduced in comparison with the other V=O species on the surface in the reoxidation process of the catalyst.     

Study of Ag/La0.6Ce0.4CoO3 catalysts for direct decomposition and reduction of nitrogen oxides with propene in the presence of oxygen

Perovskite-type oxide La_0.6Ce_0.4CoO₃ and its doped Ag catalysts were prepared and their catalytic performances were evaluated for the direct decomposition of NO and the selective reduction of NO with propene in the presence of oxygen. A noticeable enhancement in activity was achieved by doping Ag and the optimum Ag loading was 1%. The effects of H₂O, SO₂, CO₂ and O₂ on the performances of Ag/La_0.6Ce_0.4CoO₃ catalysts for NO decomposition were also investigated. The resistance against H₂O and SO₂ appears satisfactory. The inhibition by CO₂ is strong, although it is reversible. Oxygen did not inhibit the NO decomposition reaction but significantly promoted it. Compared with other perovskite-type oxides reported previously, higher conversions were obtained over the present catalysts for the NO reduction by propene. We speculate that the decomposition of NO is the predominant process even in the presence of propene. The catalysts were characterized by N₂-adsorption, XRD, XPS and NO-TPD and some explanations were put forward.     

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by C2H2 over MoO3/HZSM-5

Molybdenum impregnated HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts with MoO₃ loading from 1 to 8 wt.% were studied in detail for the selective catalytic reduction (C₂H₂-SCR) of NO by acetylene. A 83.9% of NO could be removed by the reductant at 350 °C under 1600 ppm of NO, 800 ppm of C₂H₂ and 9.95% of O₂ in He over 2%MoO₃/HZSM-5 catalyst with a specific activity of in NO elimination and the competitiveness factor (c.f.) of 33.6% for the reductant. The NO elimination level and the c.f. value were ca. 3–4 times as high as those using methane or propene as reductant over the catalyst in the same reaction condition. About same reaction rate was estimated in NO oxidation as that in the NO reduction over each xMoO₃/HZSM-5 (x = 0–8%) catalyst, which confirms that NO₂ is a crucial intermediate for the aimed reaction over the catalysts. Appropriate amount of Mo incorporation to HZSM-5 considerably enhanced the title reaction, both by accelerating the intermediate formation and by strengthening the adsorption NO_x on the catalyst surface under the reaction conditions. Rather lower adsorption tendency of acetylene compared with propene on the catalysts explains the catalyst's steady performance in the C₂H₂-SCR of NO and rapid deactivation in the C₃H₆-SCR of NO.     

Nb2O5-supported WO3: a comparative study with WO3/Al2O3

WO₃/Nb₂O₅-supported samples prepared by impregnation are characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the W–L₃ absorption edge, as well as temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and FT-IR monitoring of pyridine adsorption. Results are compared with those obtained for WO₃/Al₂O₃ samples prepared in the same conditions, showing that niobia is able to disperse tungsta better than alumina does. Formation of a crystalline WO₃ needs larger tungsten contents on niobia than on alumina, since tungsten solution into niobia is easier than into alumina. Raman and XAS spectra recorded under ambient conditions suggest that similar WO_x species are formed on both supports at tungsten contents 0.5–1 theoretical monolayers; however, TPR results for the low tungsten loaded samples indicate that, when reduction starts (always at temperatures higher than 700 K under H₂/Ar flow) there is a larger concentration of tetrahedral [WO₄] species on alumina, than on niobia. Samples with low tungsten loading have been tested in isopropanol decomposition and ethylene oxidation, following both processes by FT-IR of adsorbed species up to 673 K. Results show that adsorption of ethylene on WO₃/Nb₂O₅ yields acetaldehyde and acetate at 473 K, while this adsorption is non-reactive either on the supports or on WO₃/Al₂O₃. Isopropanol adsorbs dissociatively on both supports, leading to acetone and propene formation on tungsta–niobia, but only propene on tungsta–alumina, probably due to the larger reducibility of the tungsten-containing phases.     

The activity and characterization of sol–gel Sn/Al2O3 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx in the presence of oxygen

Catalytic performance of Sn/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by impregnation (IM) and sol–gel (SG) method for selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by propene under lean burn condition were investigated. The physical properties of catalyst were characterized by BET, XRD, XPS and TPD. The results showed that NO₂ had higher reactivity than NO to nitrogen, the maximum NO conversion was 82% on the 5% Sn/Al₂O₃ (SG) catalyst, and the maximum NO₂ conversion reached nearly 100% around 425 °C. Such a temperature of maximum NO conversion was in accordance with those of NO_x desorption accompanied with O₂ around 450 °C. The activity of NO reduction was enhanced remarkably by the presence of H₂O and SO₂ at low temperature, and the temperature window was also broadened in the presence of H₂O and SO₂, however the NO_x desorption and NO conversion decreased sharply on the 300 ppm SO₂ treated catalyst, the catalytic activity was inhibited by the presence of SO₂ due to formation of sulfate species (SO₄²⁻) on the catalysts. The presence of oxygen played an essential role in NO reduction, and the activity of the 5% Sn/Al₂O₃ (SG) was not decreased in the presence of large oxygen.     

Activity enhancement of SnO2-doped Ga2O3–Al2O3 catalysts by coexisting H2O for the selective reduction of NO with propene

Catalytic reduction of NO by propene in the presence of oxygen was studied over SnO₂-doped Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ prepared by sol–gel method. Although SnO₂-doped Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ gave lower NO conversion than Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ in the absence of H₂O, the activity was enhanced considerably by the presence of H₂O and much higher than that of Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃. The presence of SnO₂ and Ga₂O₃–Al₂O₃ species having intimate Ga–O–Al bondings was found to be essential for the promotional effect of H₂O. The promotional effect of H₂O was interpreted by the following two reasons. The first one is the removal of carbonaceous materials deposited on the catalyst surface by H₂O. The other is the selective inhibition by H₂O of the reaction steps resulting in propene oxidation to CO_x without reducing NO.     

NO decomposition and reduction by CH4 over Sr/La2O3

Both NO decomposition and NO reduction by CH₄ over 4%Sr/La₂O₃ in the absence and presence of O₂ were examined between 773 and 973 K, and N₂O decomposition was also studied. The presence of CH₄ greatly increased the conversion of NO to N₂ and this activity was further enhanced by co-fed O₂. For example, at 773 K and 15 Torr NO the specific activities of NO decomposition, reduction by CH₄ in the absence of O₂, and reduction with 1% O₂ in the feed were 8.3·10⁻⁴, 4.6·10⁻³, and 1.3·10⁻² μmol N₂/s m², respectively. This oxygen-enhanced activity for NO reduction is attributed to the formation of methyl (and/or methylene) species on the oxide surface. NO decomposition on this catalyst occurred with an activation energy of 28 kcal/mol and the reaction order at 923 K with respect to NO was 1.1. The rate of N₂ formation by decomposition was inhibited by O₂ in the feed even though the reaction order in NO remained the same. The rate of NO reduction by CH₄ continuously increased with temperature to 973 K with no bend-over in either the absence or the presence of O₂ with equal activation energies of 26 kcal/mol. The addition of O₂ increased the reaction order in CH₄ at 923 K from 0.19 to 0.87, while it decreased the reaction order in NO from 0.73 to 0.55. The reaction order in O₂ was 0.26 up to 0.5% O₂ during which time the CH₄ concentration was not decreased significantly. N₂O decomposition occurs rapidly on this catalyst with a specific activity of 1.6·10⁻⁴ μmol N₂/s m² at 623 K and 1220 ppm N₂O and an activation energy of 24 kcal/mol. The addition of CH₄ inhibits this decomposition reaction. Finally, the use of either CO or H₂ as the reductant (no O₂) produced specific activities at 773 K that were almost 5 times greater than that with CH₄ and gave activation energies of 21–26 kcal/mol, thus demonstrating the potential of using CO/H₂ to reduce NO to N₂ over these REO catalysts.     

In situ FTIR study on NO reduction by C3H6 over Pd-based catalysts

The reaction mechanism of the reduction of NO by propene over Pd-based catalysts was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. It was observed that the reaction between NO and propene most probably goes via isocyanate (2256–2230 cm⁻¹), nitrate (1310–1250 cm⁻¹) and acetate (1560 and 1460 cm⁻¹) intermediates formation. Other possible intermediates such as partially oxidized hydrocarbons, NO₂, and formates were also detected. The reaction between nitrates and acetates or carbonates reduced nitrates to N₂ and oxidized carbon compounds to CO₂. In situ DRIFT provides quick and rather easily elucidated data from adsorbed compounds and reaction intermediates on the catalyst surface. The activity experiments were carried out to find out the possible reaction mechanism and furthermore the kinetic equation for NO reduction by propene.     

NO removal by CH4 on Co-NaX-CO and Ag-NaX catalysts in a dual-bed system

NO removal using CH₄ as a reductant in a dual-bed system has been investigated with Co-NaX and Ag-NaX catalysts, which were prepared by Co²⁺-, Ag⁺-ion exchange into zeolite NaX, respectively, and activation for 5 h at 500 °C. The experimental result has been compared with that of a Co-NaX-CO catalyst, additionally pre-treated under CO flow for the Co-NaX catalyst. The cobalt crystal structure of a Co-NaX-CO catalyst is Co₃O₄, which promotes NO oxidation to NO₂ by excess O₂ at a low temperature (523 K). The mechanical mixture of Co-NaX-CO and Ag-NaX catalysts shows a synergy effect on NO reduction to N₂ by CH₄ in the presence of excess O₂ and H₂O, but the NO reduction decreases quickly as time passes. However, the NO reduction to N₂ in a deNO bed at 523 K and a deNO₂ bed at 423 K, which are relatively lower than the reaction temperatures for common SCR systems, still remained at 67% even in a H₂O 10% gas mixture after 160 min.     

Catalytic activation of ceramic filter elements for combined particle separation, NOx removal and VOC total oxidation

The development of a catalytically active filter element for combined particle separation and NO_x removal or VOC total oxidation, respectively, is presented. For NO_x removal by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) a catalytic coating based on a TiO₂–V₂O₅–WO₃ catalyst system was developed on a ceramic filter element. Different TiO₂ sols of tailor-made mean particle size between 40 and 190 nm were prepared by the sol–gel process and used for the impregnation of filter element cylinders by the incipient wetness technique. The obtained TiO₂-impregnated sintered filter element cylinders exhibit BET surface areas in the range between 0.5 and 1.3 m²/g. Selected TiO₂-impregnated filter element cylinders of high BET surface area were catalytically activated by impregnation with a V₂O₅ and WO₃ precursor solution. The obtained catalytic filter element cylinders show high SCR activity leading to 96% NO conversion at 300 °C, a filtration velocity of 2 cm/s and an NO inlet concentration of 500 vol.-ppm. The corresponding differential pressures fulfill the requirements for typical hot gas filtration applications. For VOC total oxidation, a TiO₂-impregnated filter element support was catalytically activated with a Pt/V₂O₅ system. Complete oxidation of propene with 100% selectivity to CO₂ was achieved at 300 °C, a filtration velocity of 2 cm/s and a propene inlet concentration of 300 vol.-ppm.     

Desorption study of NO and O2 on Cu-ZSM-5

A detailed temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) study on NO and O₂ saturated Cu-ZSM-5 at different temperatures (300–723 K) has been performed. In the temperature range 373–723 K, the evolution of O₂ and NO₂ accompanying the desorption of NO from NO saturated Cu-ZSM-5 suggested the formation of nitrite/nitrate species. The amount of O₂ absorbed was very much lower than that of NO. The desorption profile of O₂ after contacting Cu-ZSM-5 with O₂ at 623 K showed a low temperature peak (369K) confirming the spontaneous ability of O₂ desorption from copper zeolite. Moreover, successive saturation cycles of NO followed by O₂ and vice versa have been performed at various temperatures (298–623 K) to understand the modifications which the adsorption sites undergo when the two molecules NO and O₂ are available together for adsorption on the catalyst sites. After each saturation cycle, a TPD profile was recorded following the evolution of NO, O₂ and other NO_x species. The competitive adsorption experiments revealed that, at 623 K, NO was not able to successfully compete with O₂ for the adsorption sites, therefore the adsorption of NO at 623 K on O₂ saturated catalyst was not completely restored. On the basis of the experimental work, an overall adsorption reaction scheme of NO on Cu-ZSM-5 was proposed     

A study of the catalytic activity of cobalt–zinc manganites for the reduction of NO by hydrocarbons

In this work the catalytic behaviour of pure zinc manganite, ZnMn₂O₄, and cobalt–zinc manganites for the reduction of NO by propane and propene is reported. The NO and N₂O decomposition as well as the reduction of N₂O by propane and propene were also investigated. The catalysts are prepared starting from carbonate monophasic precursors that are decomposed in air at 973 K for 24 h. In all cases a spinel-like phase is obtained. Pure zinc manganite is an efficient catalyst for the NO reduction with both propane and propene and the selectivity to N₂ and CO₂ was almost one. However the presence of cobalt in the catalyst enhances the catalytic activity, in particular when propene is used as reducing agent of NO. All catalysts are stable up to 873 K upon contacting with the propane containing reactant stream whereas in the case of propene they preserve the original spinel structure up to about 773 K. In fact with propene the catalysts start to lose their stability as the reaction temperature increases above 773 K and disaggregate, by reduction of the spinel framework Mn³⁺ cations to Mn²⁺, forming a complex mixture of ZnO and MnO oxides. Despite the collapsing of the spinel phase, the disaggregated polyphasic catalysts still show a good activity and selectivity. An hypothesis for explaining this unusual behaviour is formulated. Finally, the reaction mechanisms presented in literature are consequently revisited on the basis of the results found in this work.     

The mechanism of SO2 effect on NO reduction with propene over In2O3/Al2O3 catalyst

An In₂O₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst shows high activity for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with propene in the presence of oxygen. The presence of SO₂ in feed gas suppressed the catalytic activity dramatically at high temperatures; however it was enhanced in the low temperature range of 473–573 K. In TPD and FT-IR studies, the formation of sulfate species on the surface of the catalyst caused an inhibition of NO_X adsorption sites, and the absorbance ability of NO was suppressed by the presence of SO₂, and the amount of ad-NO₃⁻ species decreased obviously. This leads to a decrease of catalytic activity at higher temperatures. However, addition of SO₂ enhanced the formation of carboxylate and formate species, which can explain the promotional effect of SO₂ at low temperature, because active C₃H₆ (partially oxidized C₃H₆) is crucial at low temperature.     

Synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides: Use of reticular oxygen of Al2O3 or Al2O3-supported CeOx for the selective epoxidation of propene

Reticular oxygen of Al₂O₃ or CeO_x supported on Al₂O₃ was used for the epoxidation of propene without any double bond cleavage. In batch reaction, Al₂O₃ alone was able to convert propene into propene oxide (PO) with 100% selectivity and 2% conversion of propene with a close to 3:1 ratio with respect to the number of Al(III) reduced to elemental Al. When Ce₂O₃/Al₂O₃ or CeO₂/Al₂O₃ was used, Al remained in its +3 oxidation state, while the Ce oxide was the oxidant as demonstrated by XPS analyses. CeO_x/Al₂O₃ was more active (propene conversion yield of 4–5%) but the selectivity was lower (70%) as PO was isomerized into acetone and propionaldehyde.

Interestingly the use of reticular oxygen very much improves the selectivity with respect to the use of pure O₂. In fact, while propene was more efficiently oxidized (10%) with O₂ in presence of Al₂O₃ or CeO_x/Al₂O₃, the selectivity was as low as 40% because C1 and C2 products were formed. However, the use of reticular oxygen represents a selective two-step technique for the use of molecular oxygen as oxidant of propene. The used oxides can be re-oxidized and the whole process can be further improved towards higher yields.

PO is quantitatively converted into propene carbonate by reaction with CO₂ in presence of Nb₂O₅.     

Surface properties and reactivity of Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for NO reduction by C3H6: Influences of calcination temperatures and additives

The influences of calcination temperatures and additives for 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts on the surface properties and reactivity for NO reduction by C₃H₆ in the presence of excess oxygen were investigated. The results of XRD and XPS show that the 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts calcined below 973 K possess highly dispersed surface and bulk CuO phases. The 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ and 10 wt.% Mn–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts calcined at 1073 K possess a CuAl₂O₄ phase with a spinel-type structure. In addition, the 10 wt.% La–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K possesses a bulk CuO phase. The result of NO reduction by C₃H₆ shows that the CuAl₂O₄ is a more active phase than the highly dispersed and bulk CuO phase. However, the 10 wt.% Mn–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K possesses significantly lower reactivity for NO reduction than the 10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K, although these catalysts possess the same CuAl₂O₄ phase. The low reactivity for NO reduction for 10 wt.% Mn–10 wt.% Cu/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst calcined at 1073 K is attributed to the formation of less active CuAl₂O₄ phase with high aggregation and preferential promotion of C₃H₆ combustion to CO_x by MnO₂. The engine dynamometer test for NO reduction shows that the C₃H₆ is a more effective reducing agent for NO reduction than the C₂H₅OH. The maximum reactivity for NO reduction by C₃H₆ is reached when the NO/C₃H₆ ratio is one.     

NO decomposition and reduction by C3H6 over transition metal oxides supported on MgF2

The monooxides copper, manganese, molybdenum and chromium catalysts supported on MgF₂ were tested in NO decomposition and reduction by propene. The effect of the oxides content, time on stream and O₂ concentration in reaction mixture during NO reduction on their catalytic activity was investigated. All the catalysts showed the optimum active phase concentration corresponding to 2–4 wt.% of the metal. For the best copper catalyst an effect of introduction of another oxide (manganese or chromium oxide) on the catalytic performance was studied. The double copper-manganese oxide sample containing 2 wt.% Cu and 4 wt.% Mn was proved to ensure the best catalytic performance.     

Temperature programmed desorption/surface-reaction study of an anodic alumina supported Ag catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with propene

On an anodic alumina supported silver catalyst with a low Ag loading (1.68 wt.%), NO_x (NO/He, NO/O₂/He, NO₂/He) adsorption measurements and NO_x-temperature programmed decomposition (TPD)/temperature programmed surface-reaction (TPSR) measurements in different gas streams (He, C₃H₆/He, C₃H₆/O₂/He) were conducted to investigate the formation, consumption and reactivity of surface adsorbed NO_x species.

During NO adsorption, no noticeable uptake of NO was detected. Introducing oxygen greatly improved the formation of ads-NO_x species. A greater quantity of surface nitrate species was found after NO₂ adsorption, accompanied with gaseous NO release. The result of TPSR demonstrates the surface nitrate species can be effectively and preferentially reduced by propene. When introducing oxygen into the propene gas stream of TPSR test, the significantly increased amount of reacted nitrate undoubtedly shows the importance of oxygen in activating propene. The pathway for the selective reduction of NO_x in the presence of excess oxygen is proposed to pass through the selective reduction of the adsorbed nitrate species with the activated propene.

The enhanced NO_x conversion when replacing NO with NO₂ was attributed to the stronger NO_x adsorption capacity and oxidation ability of NO₂, than those for NO. With increasing oxygen concentration, the difference between NO and NO₂ would gradually decrease, and finally disappear in a high excess of oxygen.     

Na/K添加剂对SNCR脱硝及NO还原机制的影响

基于构建的Na-K-C-H-O-N-Cl化学反应机理模型，采用Chemkin动力学模拟软件，研究Na/K添加剂（NaOH、Na₂CO₃、NaCl、KOH、K₂CO₃和KCl）对选择性非催化还原（SNCR）脱硝性能影响，通过敏感性分析和产率分析，探讨Na/K添加剂对SNCR过程中NO还原的促进机理和路径。模拟结果表明，在温度为700~800℃且无Na/K添加剂条件下，SNCR脱硝效率几乎为零；Na/K添加剂能够显著提高低温区（小于800℃）SNCR脱硝效率，而其对高温区（大于900℃）SNCR脱硝的促进作用不明显。在温度为700℃和Na/K添加剂参与条件下SNCR脱硝效率可达43.86%~60.76%。不同Na/K添加剂对NO还原促进顺序为NaOH≈Na₂CO₃ > KOH≈K₂CO₃ > KCl > NaCl，但同一种Na/K添加剂的浓度变化（6.25~25.0 μmol·mol^-1）对SNCR脱硝效率影响较小。Na/K添加剂通过不同的循环路径产生OH基，进而通过NH2基团促进NO的还原，其中碱金属氢氧化物（MOH）对SNCR脱硝的促进路径为NaOH→NaO₂→Na→NaO→NaOH，碱金属氯化物（MCl）则主要通过MCl→M→MCl削弱Na/K添加剂的促进作用。     

Effect of promoters including tungsten and barium on the thermal stability of V2O5/sulfated TiO2 catalyst for NO reduction by NH3

The effect of tungsten and barium on the thermal stability of V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst for NO reduction by NH₃ was examined over a fixed bed flow reactor system. The activity of V₂O₅/sulfated TiO₂ catalyst gradually decreased with respect to the thermal aging time at 600 °C. The addition of tungsten to the catalyst surface significantly enhanced the thermal stability of V₂O₅ catalyst supported on sulfated TiO₂. On the basis of Raman and XRD measurements, the tungsten on the catalyst surface was identified as suppressing the progressive transformation of monomeric vanadyl species into crystalline V₂O₅ and of anatase into rutile phase of TiO₂. However, the NO removal activity of V₂O₅/sulfated TiO₂ catalyst including barium markedly decreased after a short aging time, 6 h at 600 °C. This may be due to the transformation of vanadium species to inactive V–O–Ba compound by the interaction with BaO which was formed by the decomposition of BaSO₄ on the catalyst surface at high reaction temperature of 600 °C. The addition of SO₂ to the feed gas stream could partly restore the NO removal activity of thermally aged V₂O₅/sulfated TiO₂ catalyst containing barium.