Sub-ambient cold-start emissions reduction using SwRI® PO x catalyst technology

This paper describes the application of SwRI’s cold-start PO _x catalyst technology to reduce cold-start hydrocarbon emissions from a US Tier 2 vehicle at −7 °C. A reduction in −7 °C (20 °F) cold-start hydrocarbons will help US Tier 2 vehicles meet the proposed EPA NMOG standards. Improvements in cold temperature hydrocarbon emissions would also be beneficial in many parts of Europe during the winter months. In this work, a total hydrocarbon reduction of 19% was realized at 24 °C, in line with previous results, but only up to 3% at −7 °C. Insufficient oxygen in the engine-out exhaust gas at −7 °C was determined to be the reason why the PO _x catalyst failed to significantly reduce HC emissions. Addition of supplemental oxygen to the exhaust during the cold-start, to simulate an adjustment in the engine calibration to less rich operation, resulted in a total hydrocarbon reduction of 18% with the PO _x catalysts in place, but no benefit when the PO _x catalysts were removed. Hence, the PO _x catalyst approach can be used to good effect, even under sub-ambient cold-start conditions.