Experimental and Modelling Study of a Dual-Layer NH3 Slip Monolith Catalyst for Automotive SCR Aftertreatment Systems

The approach to the development of a chemically and physically consistent mathematical model of ASC dual-layer (SCR + PGM) washcoated monolith converters is herein presented. Steady-state and transient kinetic runs were performed over each one of the two ASC components (SCR and PGM) in the form of powders and also over the two mixed powdered catalysts, thus acquiring information on the interactions between the SCR and the PGM catalytic chemistries. Global kinetic models were fitted to the SCR and to the PGM catalyst data, and validated against experiments performed over both washcoated single-layered SCR and PGM monoliths and over a full dual-layer ASC honeycomb catalyst (SCR layer on top). It was found that the dual-layer (SCR + PGM) ASC architecture grants increased N₂ selectivities compared to a PGM-only washcoat.