An investigation of the thermal stability and sulphur tolerance of Ag/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for the SCR of NOx with hydrocarbons and hydrogen

The sulphur tolerance and thermal stability of a 2 wt% Ag/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was investigated for the H₂-promoted SCR of NO_x with octane and toluene. The aged catalyst was characterised by XRD and EXAFS analysis. It was found that the effect of ageing was a function of the gas mix and temperature of ageing. At high temperatures (800 °C) the catalyst deactivated regardless of the reaction mix. EXAFS analysis showed that this was associated with the Ag particles on the surface of the catalyst becoming more ordered. At 600 and 700 °C, the deactivating effect of ageing was much less pronounced for the catalyst in the H₂-promoted octane-SCR reaction and ageing at 600 °C resulted in an enhancement in activity for the reaction in the absence of H₂. For the toluene + H₂-SCR reaction the catalyst deactivated at each ageing temperature. The effect of addition of low levels of sulphur (1 ppm SO₂) to the feed was very much dependent on the reaction temperature. There was little deactivation of the catalyst at low temperatures (≤235 °C), severe deactivation at intermediate temperatures (305 and 400 °C) and activation of the catalyst at high temperatures (>500 °C). The results can be explained by the activity of the catalyst for the oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃ and the relative stability of silver and aluminium sulphates. The catalyst could be almost fully regenerated by a combination of heating and the presence of hydrogen in the regeneration mix. The catalyst could not be regenerated in the absence of hydrogen.     

2D simulation of the regeneration performance of a catalysed DPF for heavy-duty applications

The objective of this work is to study the regeneration performance of a heavy-duty DPF application. The simulation of the local temperatures and pressure drop during the regeneration could be validated with experimental data, indicating the need for a 2D model approach to describe this particular catalysed DPF configuration. Furthermore, the model was applied to illustrate the axial and radial regeneration phenomena focusing on soot and temperature distribution.     

Sauerstoff - spinelle mit ruthenium und iridium

In the systems Co/1bRu/1bO and Co/1bIr/1bO cubic spinel type phases of composition Co_3?xRu_xO₄ (～0, 4≤ x ≤1) and Co_2,5Ir_0,5O₄ have been synthesized. The cobalt can be partially substituted by iron and manganese (Co_2,3?yM_yRu_0,7O₄; 0≤y～0,7; M = Mn, Fe) or copper. By vibrational spectroscopic investigations a transition from low to high concentration of free electrons can be detected.     

Exceptional activity for NO x reduction at low temperatures using combinations of hydrogen and higher hydrocarbons on Ag/Al2O3 catalysts

Topics in Catalysis - The effect of the addition of hydrogen on the SCR of NO x with a hydrocarbon reaction was investigated. It was found that hydrogen had a remarkable effect on the temperature...     

Reactivity of NO/NO2–NH3 SCR system for diesel exhaust aftertreatment: Identification of the reaction network as a function of temperature and NO2 feed content

We present a systematic study of the NH₃-SCR reactivity over a commercial V₂O₅–WO₃/TiO₂ catalyst in a wide range of temperatures and NO/NO₂ feed ratios, which cover (and exceed) those of interest for industrial applications to the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from diesel vehicles. The experiments confirm that the best deNO_x efficiency is achieved with a 1/1 NO/NO₂ feed ratio. The main reactions prevailing at the different operating conditions have been identified, and an overall reaction scheme is herein proposed.

Particular attention has been paid to the role of ammonium nitrate, which forms rapidly at low temperatures and with excess NO₂, determining a lower N₂ selectivity of the deNO_x process. Data are presented which show that the chemistry of the NO/NO₂–NH₃ reacting system can be fully interpreted according to a mechanism which involves: (i) dimerization/disproportion of NO₂ and reaction with NH₃ and water to give ammonium nitrite and ammonium nitrate; (ii) reduction of ammonium nitrate by NO to ammonium nitrite; (iii) decomposition of ammonium nitrite to nitrogen. Such a scheme explains the peculiar deNO_x reactivity at low temperature in the presence of NO₂, the optimal stoichiometry (NO/NO₂ = 1/1), and the observed selectivities to all the major N-containing products (N₂, NH₄NO₃, HNO₃, N₂O). It also provides the basis for the development of a mechanistic kinetic model of the NO/NO₂–NH₃ SCR reacting system.     

A Novel Approach to Catalysis for NO x Reduction in Diesel Exhaust Gas

With the introduction of stringent emission standards in the US in 2007 (Tier II Bin8, 5) an exhaust aftertreatment for NO _x reduction is required for compliance with the emission regulations. A new approach consists in the synergetic combination of existing technologies NSC (NO _x Storage Catalyst) and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) with onboard generation of ammonia as the reducing agent for the SCR. It is shown in this work that the performance of the combined system exceeds those of each one considered separately, especially after ageing. The generation of ammonia is correlated to the ammonia selectivity during the regeneration of the NSC. The selectivity is primarily dependent on the temperature, A/F ratio (Air/Fuel) and the rich time. It is shown that the development of a suitable control strategy leads to a high level of NO _x reduction under transient conditions in an FTP driving cycle. Due to the complexity and high development costs of current exhaust aftertreatment systems, modelling and simulation were identified as an important aspect in the development process. A system simulation tool named ExACT (Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment Components Toolbox) developed at Daimler is presented. By using the simulation already at an early stage, specific development work can be carried out prior to the experimental work on an engine test bench.