Combinatorial preparation and high-throughput catalytic tests of multi-component deNOx catalysts

A quaternary catalyst library of 56 samples comprising all combinations of four elements, viz. Ag, Co, Cu, In, with six equally spaced atomic fraction increments from 0 to 1 was prepared by impregnation of a proprietary mesoporous alumina support. Catalytic properties of the library were tested in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x by propane under lean conditions in the temperature range 400–500 °C. The catalytic data acquired by a parallel 64-channel microreactor system with automated time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis have been evaluated regarding selectivity–compositional relationships, synergistic effects for NO_x conversion, and efficiency of propane utilization. Full conversion of NO_x is achieved over Ag–Co combinations at 450 °C with N₂ selectivities of more than 90% and reductant utilization of 20% in a feed of 1500 ppm NO, 1500 ppm propane and 5 vol.% O₂ (space velocity of 36,000 cm³ g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹). For the single-component catalysts Ag/Al₂O₃, Co/Al₂O₃, Cu/Al₂O₃, and In/Al₂O₃, the state of the elements on the mesoporous alumina was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cobalt forms a spinel-like cobalt aluminate phase whereas copper and indium are present as oxides with small sizes not detectable by XRD. Silver occurs in both metallic state and as Ag₂O, and forms Ag_n clusters of at least two different sizes, predominantly with diameters of about 30 nm. The conclusions are consistent with the reducibility of the single-component catalysts samples by H₂. Surface area measurements and pore size distributions revealed reasonable modifications of the textural properties. The main pore size of the alumina support is decreased from 7 to ca. 5 nm after loading of the active components.     

Analysis of the structural parameters controlling the temperature window of the process of SCR-NOx by low paraffins over metal-exchanged zeolites

Catalytic activity of H- and FeH-ferrierite (FER) zeolites with iron content from 50 to 4000 ppm in NO–NO₂ equilibration and SCR of NO_x by propane was measured, both in NO₂-poor and NO₂-rich streams. The activity of FeH-FER in SCR in NO₂-poor streams depends strongly on the Fe content; this relationship is valid down to traces of iron, while no such correlation was indicated in NO₂-rich streams. This was rationalized by realizing the negligible activity of zeolite protons for NO–NO₂ equilibration. Accordingly the SCR activity of H-FER in NO₂-poor streams necessitates presence of iron traces. In the NO₂–O₂–propane mixtures a process in absence of zeolite catalyst initiating propane oxidation and NO₂→NO conversion, but without N₂ formation, was evidenced at temperatures over 350 °C. It is suggested that such a radical process participate in characteristic narrow temperature window for NO_x reduction by propane.     

Analysis of the thermodynamic feasibility of NOx decomposition catalysis to meet next generation vehicle NOx emissions standards

Free energy minimization calculations are used to determine the thermodynamic equilibrium concentrations of NO_x and other species in stoichiometric and lean gas mixtures over a range of temperatures and compositions. Under lean (excess N₂ and O₂) conditions, the NO decomposition (NO↔(1/2)N₂+(1/2)O₂) and NO oxidation (NO+(1/2)O₂↔NO₂) equilibria impose lower bounds on the NO_x concentrations achievable by thermodynamic equilibration or NO_x decomposition, and these equilibrium NO_x concentrations can be practically significant. Assuming a perfect isothermal catalyst acting on a representative diesel exhaust stream collected over the federal test procedure (FTP) cycle, equilibrium NO_x levels exceed upcoming California Low Emission Vehicle II (LEV-II) and Tier II NO_x emissions standards for automobiles and trucks at temperatures above approximately 800 K. Consideration of a perfect adiabatic catalyst acting on the same diesel exhaust shows that equilibrium NO_x values can fall below NO_x emissions standards at lower temperatures, but to achieve these low concentrations would require the catalyst to attain 100% approach to equilibrium at very low temperatures. It is concluded that NO_x removal based on a thermodynamic equilibrating catalyst under lean exhaust conditions is not practically viable for automotive application, and that to achieve upcoming NO_x standards will require selective NO_x catalysts that vigorously promote NO_x reactions with reductant and do not promote NO decomposition or oxidation. Finally, the ability of a selective NO_x catalyst system to reduce NO_x concentrations to or below thermodynamic equilibrium values is proposed as a useful measure for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) activity.     

Co3O4 based catalysts for NO oxidation and NOx reduction in fast SCR process

Reaction activities of several developed catalysts for NO oxidation and NO_x (NO + NO₂) reduction have been determined in a fixed bed differential reactor. Among all the catalysts tested, Co₃O₄ based catalysts are the most active ones for both NO oxidation and NO_x reduction reactions even at high space velocity (SV) and low temperature in the fast selective catalytic reduction (SCR) process. Over Co₃O₄ catalyst, the effects of calcination temperatures, SO₂ concentration, optimum SV for 50% conversion of NO to NO₂ were determined. Also, Co₃O₄ based catalysts (Co₃O₄-WO₃) exhibit significantly higher conversion than all the developed DeNO_x catalysts (supported/unsupported) having maximum conversion of NO_x even at lower temperature and higher SV since the mixed oxide Co-W nanocomposite is formed. In case of the fast SCR, N₂O formation over Co₃O₄-WO₃ catalyst is far less than that over the other catalysts but the standard SCR produces high concentration of N₂O over all the catalysts. The effect of SO₂ concentration on NO_x reduction is found to be almost negligible may be due to the presence of WO₃ that resists SO₂ oxidation.     

Potassium–copper and potassium–cobalt catalysts supported on alumina for simultaneous NOx and soot removal from simulated diesel engine exhaust

This paper deals with the activity of bimetallic potassium–copper and potassium–cobalt catalysts supported on alumina for the reduction of NO_x with soot from simulated diesel engine exhaust. The effect of the reaction temperature, the soot/catalyst mass ratio and the presence of C₃H₆ has been studied. In addition, the behavior of two monometallic catalysts supported on zeolite beta (Co/beta and Cu/beta), previously used for NO_x reduction with C₃H₆, as well as a highly active HC-SCR catalyst (Pt/beta) has been tested for comparison. The preliminary results obtained in the absence of C₃H₆ indicate that, at temperatures between 250 and 400 °C, the use of bimetallic potassium catalysts notably increases the rate of NO_x reduction with soot evolving N₂ and CO₂ as main reaction products. At higher temperatures, the catalysts mainly favor the direct soot combustion with oxygen. In the presence of C₃H₆, an increase in the activity for NO_x reduction has been observed for the catalyst with the highest metal content. At 450 °C, the copper-based catalysts (Cu/beta and KCu2/Al₂O₃) show the highest activity for both NO_x reduction (to N₂ and CO₂) and soot consumption. The Pt/beta catalyst does not combine, at any temperature, a high NO_x reduction with a high soot consumption rate.     

On the dynamic behavior of “NOx-storage/reduction” Pt–Ba/Al2O3 catalyst

The NO_x storage and reduction functions of a Pt–Ba/Al₂O₃ “NO_x storage–reduction” catalyst has been investigated in the present work by applying the transient response and the temperature programmed reaction methods, by using propylene as the reducing agent. It is found that: (i) the storage of NO_x occurs first at BaO and then at BaCO₃, which are the most abundant sites following regeneration of catalyst with propylene; (ii) the overall storage process at BaCO₃ is slower than at BaO; (iii) CO₂ inhibits the NO_x storage at low temperatures; (iv) the amount of NO_x stored up to catalyst saturation at 350 °C corresponds to 17.6% of Ba; (v) the reduction of stored NO_x groups is fast and is limited by the concentration of propylene in the investigated T range (250–400 °C); (vi) selectivity to N₂ is almost complete at 400 °C but is significantly lower at 300 °C due to the formation of NO which can be tentatively ascribed to the presence of unselective Pt–O species.     

Selective catalytic reduction of N2O and NOx in a single reactor in the nitric acid industry

The nitric acid industry is a source of both NO_x and N₂O. The simultaneous selective catalytic reduction of both compounds using propane as a reductant has been investigated. A stacked catalyst bed with first a Co-ZSM-5 catalyst and second a Pd/Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst gives >80% conversion of N₂O and NO_x above 300 °C at atmospheric pressure. At 4 bar absolute pressure (bara) the Co-ZSM-5 DeNO_x catalyst shows higher NO_x and propane conversion. This leaves not enough propane for the Pd/Fe-ZSM-5 DeN₂O catalyst, which causes a ‘dip’ in N₂O conversion. Reducing the space velocity (SV) of the first catalyst bed secures high NO_x and N₂O conversions from 300 °C and up at 4 bara.     

NOx storage and reduction characteristics of Pd/MnOx–CeO2 at low temperature

The reaction between hydrogen and NO was studied over 1 wt.% Pd supported on NO_x-sorbing material, MnO_x–CeO₂, at low temperatures. The result of pulse mode reactions suggest that NO_x adsorbed as nitrate and/or nitrite on MnO_x–CeO₂ was reduced by hydrogen, which was spilt-over from Pd catalyst. The NO_x storage and reduction (NSR) cycles were carried out over Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ in a conventional flow reactor at 150 °C. In a storage step, NO was removed by the oxidative adsorption from a stream of 0.04–0.08% NO, 5–10% O₂, and He balance. This was followed by a reducing step, where a stream of 1% H₂/He was supplied to ensure the conversion of nitrate/nitrite to N₂ and thus restore the adsorbability. It was revealed that the NSR cycle is much more suitable for the H₂–deNO_x process in excess O₂, compared to a conventional steady state reaction mode.     

Selective reduction of NOx by liquid hydrocarbons with supported HPW–metal catalysts

The catalytic multifunctional system based on H₃PW₁₂O₄₀·6H₂O (HPW), Pt and support (Zr–Ce or Zr–Ti mixed oxides) has been investigated for lean NO_x storage and reduction. It was applied in the NO_x storage and reduction (NSR) concept by including a cyclic operation of short NO_x storage (oxygen rich phase) and reduction (hydrocarbon rich phase: hexane). For NO_x reduction, the assistance of hydrogen is one of the key parameters possibly as a result of the regeneration of metallic sites active for mild oxidation of the hydrocarbon (by forming C_xH_yO_z). The difference in oxygen mobility of supports (higher in the case of Zr–Ce than for Zr–Ti) became another strategic parameter for catalyst selection since the possibility of total hydrocarbon oxidation. The influence of temperature was also considered for optimizing NO_x storage and reduction.     

Reactivity in the removal of SO2 and NOx on Co/Mg/Al mixed oxides derived from hydrotalcites

Metal containing hydrotalcites, where metal oxides present redox properties and hydrotalcite shows a basic character, appear to be new important environmental catalysts for the removal of SO_x and NO_x. Redox and basic properties of a mixed Co/Mg/Al oxide derived from hydrotalcites are tuned in order to achieve the optimal catalytic behavior required. This sample has been characterized showing that cobalt is present in two forms, as isolated and well dispersed paramagnetic ions, and as very small Co-containing particles (in the nanometric range), with an internal antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperature. The redox properties of cobalt allow the reduction of NO with propane at high temperatures and in presence of oxygen. The reduced cobalt species are proposed as the active sites. Nevertheless, for the removal of SO₂ and contrary to the case of Cu/Mg/Al samples, the addition of an oxidant as cerium oxide on Co/Mg/Al is necessary in order to oxidize SO₂ to SO₃. In this case, similar results than those obtained with previously reported catalyst, i.e. cerium or copper–cerium hydrotalcite, are obtained. These results indicate that this catalyst could be an adequate material for the simultaneous removal of SO₂ and NO_x in a FCC unit.     

Low-temperature SCR of NO with NH3 over AC/C supported manganese-based monolithic catalysts

Metal oxide/active carbon/ceramic (MO_x/AC/C) monolithic catalysts were prepared by impregnation method for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with NH₃ at low-temperature, and they also had been characterized by elemental analysis, N₂-BET, XRD, SEM and NO-TPD. The adsorption capability of the monolithic catalyst was greatly enhanced due to the attached active carbon. An ultrasonic treatment was used to improve the impregnation process, and which can increase their catalytic activities. More than 90% NO_x conversion could be achieved over the Mn-based monolithic catalysts at low-temperature, and which could be improved further by doping Ce, from 30% to 78% at 100 °C. Mn–Fe–Ce and Mn–V–Ce monolithic catalysts had better tolerance to SO₂ than Mn or Mn–Ce monolithic catalysts.     

The role of zeolite type on the lean NOx reduction by methane over Pd loaded pentasil zeolites

The lean selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by methane over protonic palladium loaded ZSM-5, FER and MOR, as well as, on bimetallic Pd–Pt-HMOR was examined. Special emphasis was paid on the combined effects of water and SO₂ in the feed stream. Under dry conditions and in the absence of SO₂, the degree of NO_x conversion at 450°C decreases as follows: Pd-HZSM-5>Pd-HMOR>Pd-HFER. Sulfur dioxide alone has no apparent effect on the activity for NO_x reduction, but the coexistence of water and SO₂ inhibits both NO_x and methane conversions. The extent of inhibition by water and SO₂ on NO_x reduction is Pd-HFER>Pd-HZSM-5>Pd-HMOR. Acid mordenite doped with low levels of Pt and Pd leads to an active catalyst that is more tolerant to the presence of either water or SO₂ than the corresponding monometallic Pt- and Pd-HMOR. Nevertheless, NO_x reduction is also inhibited at temperatures below 450°C when SO₂ and water are both present. TPD experiments of water over calcined samples of protonic Pd supported pentasil zeolites, Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ and Pt–Pd-HMOR with and without pretreatment in SO₂+O₂ indicate that sulfation of the surface increases water chemisorption by the support. Therefore, the observed decrease of NO_x reduction on Pd-loaded zeolite catalysts when SO₂ and H₂O coexist in the feed stream may be due to enhanced water inhibition and presumably active site poisoning.     

An examination of the role of plasma treatment for lean NOx reduction over sodium zeolite Y and gamma alumina Part 1. Plasma assisted NOx reduction over NaY and Al2O3

The role of plasma processing on NO_x reduction over γ-alumina and a basic zeolite, NaY was examined. During the plasma treatment NO is oxidized to NO₂ and propylene is partially oxidized to CO, CO₂, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. With plasma treatment, NO as the NO_x gas, and a NaY catalyst, the maximum NO_x conversion was 70% between 180 and 230 °C. The activity decreased at higher and lower temperatures.

As high as 80% NO_x removal over gamma alumina was measured by a chemiluminescent NO_x meter with plasma treatment and NO as the NO_x gas.

For both catalysts a simultaneous decrease in NO_x and aldehydes concentrations was observed, which suggests that aldehyde may be important components for NO_x reduction in plasma-treated exhaust.     

The low-temperature performance of NOx storage and reduction catalyst

The catalytic performance and the behavior of NO_x storage and reduction (NSR) over a model catalyst for lean-burn gasoline engines have been mainly investigated and be discussed based on the temperature and reducing agents use in this study. The experimental results have shown that the NO_x storage amount in the lean atmosphere was the same as the NO_x reduction amount from the subsequent rich spike (RS) above the temperature of 400 °C, while the former was greater than the latter below the temperature of 400 °C. This indicated that when the temperature was below 400 °C compared with the NO_x storage stage, the reduction of the stored NO_x is somehow restricted. We found that the reduction efficiencies with the reducing agents decrease in the order H₂ > CO > C₃H₆ below 400 °C, thus not all of the NO_x storage sites could be fully regenerated even using an excessive reducing agent of CO or C₃H₆, which was supplied to the NSR catalyst, while all the NO_x storage sites could be fully regenerated if an adequate amount of H₂ was supplied. We also verified that the H₂ generation more favorably occurred through the water gas shift reaction than through the steam reforming reaction. This difference in the H₂ generation could reasonably explain why CO was more efficient for the reduction of the stored NO_x than C₃H₆, and hinted as a promising approach to enhance the low-temperature performance of the current NSR catalysts though promoting the H₂ generation reaction.     

Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite highly active in reduction of NO with decane under water vapor presence: Comparison of decane, propane and propene by in situ FTIR

Selective catalytic reduction of NO_x (SCR-NO_x) with decane, and for comparison with propane and propene over Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite (Cu/Al 0.49, Si/Al 13.2) was investigated under presence and absence of water vapor. Decane behaves in SCR-NO_x like propene, i.e. the Cu-zeolite activity increased under increasing concentration of water vapor, as demonstrated by a shift of the NO_x–N₂ conversion to lower temperatures, in contrast to propane, where the NO_x–N₂ conversion is highly suppressed. In situ FTIR spectra of sorbed intermediates revealed similar spectral features for C₁₀H₂₂– and C₃H₆–SCR-NO_x, where –CH_x, R–NO₂, –NO₃⁻, Cu⁺–CO, –CN, –NCO and –NH species were found. On contrary, with propane –CH_x, R–NO₂, NO₃⁻, Cu⁺–CO represented prevailing species. A comparison of the in situ FTIR spectra (T–O–T and intermediate vibrations) recorded at pulses of propene and propane, moreover, under presence and absence of water vapor in the reaction mixture, revealed that the Cu²⁺–Cu⁺ redox cycle operates with the C₃H₆–SCR-NO_x reactions in both presence/absence of water vapor, while with C₃H₈–SCR-NO_x, the redox cycle is suppressed by water vapor. It is concluded that decane cracks to low-chain olefins and paraffins, the former ones, more reactive, preferably take part in SCR-NO_x. It is concluded that formation of olefinic compounds at C₁₀H₂₂–SCR-NO_x is decisive for the high activity in the presence of water vapor, while water molecules block propane activation. The increase in NO_x–N₂ conversion due to water vapor in C₁₀H₂₂–SCR-NO_x should be connected with the increased reactivity of intermediates. These are suggested to pass from R–NO_x → –CN → –NCO → NH₃; the latter reacts with another activated NO_x molecule to molecular nitrogen. The positive effect of water vapor on the NO_x–N₂ conversion is attributed to increased hydrolysis of –NCO intermediates.     

Mn/MFI catalyzed reduction of NOx with alkanes

Mn/MFI catalysts were prepared by different methods and probed as catalysts for the catalytic reduction of NO_x with CH₄ or iso-butane in a gas flow containing excess O₂. Mn/MFI with high manganese loading was obtained by solid state ion exchange (SSI). The intensity of an IR band at 957 cm⁻¹, which is due to the perturbation of zeolite lattice vibrations by Mn ions attached to cage walls is proportional to the Mn content of the catalysts. Conversely, the intensity of the 3610 cm⁻¹ band, assigned to Brønsted acid sites decreases linearly with the Mn loading. A catalyst obtained by exchanging Na/MFI with an aqueous solution of Mn acetate is found most active for NO_x reduction with methane. Transport by surface diffusion of Mn ions from MnI₂ to exchange positions in MFI is more efficient than their transport through the gas phase. High NO conversion over proton-free catalysts indicates that protons are not instrumental in NO_x reduction over Mn/MFI.     

Alumina- and titania-based monolithic catalysts for low temperature selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides

The selective catalytic reduction of NO+NO₂ (NO_x) at low temperature (180–230°C) with ammonia has been investigated with copper-nickel and vanadium oxides supported on titania and alumina monoliths. The influence of the operating temperature, as well as NH₃/NO_x and NO/NO₂ inlet ratios has been studied. High NO_x conversions were obtained at operating conditions similar to those used in industrial scale units with all the catalysts. Reaction temperature, ammonia and nitrogen dioxide inlet concentration increased the N₂O formation with the copper-nickel catalysts, while no increase was observed with the vanadium catalysts. The vanadium-titania catalyst exhibited the highest DeNO_x activity, with no detectable ammonia slip and a low N₂O formation when NH₃/NO_x inlet ratio was kept below 0.8. TPR results of this catalyst with NO/NH₃/O₂, NO₂/NH₃/O₂ and NO/NO₂/NH₃/O₂ feed mixtures indicated that the presence of NO₂ as the only nitrogen oxide increases the quantity of adsorbed species, which seem to be responsible for N₂O formation. When NO was also present, N₂O formation was not observed.     

Impact of support oxide and Ba loading on the NOx storage properties of Pt/Ba/support catalysts: CO2 and H2O effects

A series of 1 wt.%Pt/_xBa/Support (Support = Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Al₂O₃-5.5 wt.%SiO₂ and Ce_0.7Zr_0.3O₂, x = 5–30 wt.% BaO) catalysts was investigated regarding the influence of the support oxide on Ba properties for the rapid NO_x trapping (100 s). Catalysts were treated at 700 °C under wet oxidizing atmosphere. The nature of the support oxide and the Ba loading influenced the Pt–Ba proximity, the Ba dispersion and then the surface basicity of the catalysts estimated by CO₂-TPD. At high temperature (400 °C) in the absence of CO₂ and H₂O, the NO_x storage capacity increased with the catalyst basicity: Pt/20Ba/Si < Pt/20Ba/Al5.5Si < Pt/10Ba/Al < Pt/5Ba/CeZr < Pt/30Ba/Al5.5Si < Pt/20Ba/Al < Pt/10BaCeZr. Addition of CO₂ decreased catalyst performances. The inhibiting effect of CO₂ on the NO_x uptake increased generally with both the catalyst basicity and the storage temperature. Water negatively affected the NO_x storage capacity, this effect being higher on alumina containing catalysts than on ceria–zirconia samples. When both CO₂ and H₂O were present in the inlet gas, a cumulative effect was observed at low temperatures (200 °C and 300 °C) whereas mainly CO₂ was responsible for the loss of NO_x storage capacity at 400 °C. Finally, under realistic conditions (H₂O and CO₂) the Pt/20Ba/Al5.5Si catalyst showed the best performances for the rapid NO_x uptake in the 200–400 °C temperature range. It resulted mainly from: (i) enhanced dispersions of platinum and barium on the alumina–silica support, (ii) a high Pt–Ba proximity and (iii) a low basicity of the catalyst which limits the CO₂ competition for the storage sites.     

Nature of nitrogen specie in coke and their role in NOx formation during FCC catalyst regeneration

NO_x emission during the regeneration of coked fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts is an environmental problem. In order to follow the route to NO_x formation and try to find ways to suppress it, a coked industrial FCC catalyst has been prepared using model N-containing compounds, e.g., pyridine, pyrrole, aniline and hexadecane–pyridine mixture. Nitrogen present in the FCC feed is incorporated as polyaromatic compounds in the coke deposited on the catalyst during cracking. Its functionality has been characterized using XPS. Nitrogen specie of different types, namely, pyridine, pyrrolic or quaternary-nitrogen (Q-N) have been discriminated. Decomposition of the coke during the catalyst regeneration (temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and isothermal oxidation) has been monitored by GC and MS measurements of the gaseous products formed. The pyrrolic- and pyridinic-type N specie, present more in the outer coke layers, are oxidized under conditions when still large amount of C or CO is available from coke to reduced NO_x formed to N₂. “Q-N” type species are present in the inner layer, strongly adsorbed on the acid sites on the catalyst. They are combusted last during regeneration. As most of the coke is already combusted at this point, lack of reductants (C, CO, etc.) results in the presence of NO_x in the tail gas.     

Multifunctional catalysts for de-NOx processes: The case of H3PW12O40·6H2O-metal supported on mixed oxides

The role of a multifunctional catalyst for de-NO_x process has been investigated. The NO_x storage capacity of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀·6H₂O (HPW) was improved by the presence of a noble metal (Pt, Rh or Pd). Both HPW and noble metal were deposited on a specific support (based on Zr–Ce or Zr–Ti). The presence of noble metal in several oxidation states, as evidenced by TPR and IR, involves the possibility of forming different catalytic sites: (i) M⁰ (zero-valent metal) and perhaps (ii) (metal–H)^δ+ from specific interactions between noble metal and the HPW proton. Supports were also able to adsorb and activate NO_x and to generate cationic catalytic sites (M^x+). These cationic sites seem to be the clue for their important activity toward NO_x reduction. This catalyst presents an outstanding resistance to SO₂ poisoning which can be related to NO and NO₂ absorption mechanism in HPW. The use of alternating short cycles of lean/rich mixtures allows us optimising the performance of this catalytic system in terms of both NO_x reduction capacity and NO_x storage efficiency: up to 48 and 84%, respectively (with a 2% CO + 1% H₂ mixture for reducing). Experimental results sustain two hypotheses: first, HPW-metal-support catalyst includes several (independent) catalytic functions required for a de-NO_x process to occur and second, the formation of oxygenate active species must be indispensable for NO_x reduction into nitrogen.