Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Reduction of NOx
Abstract
Many studies suggest that lean-NOx SCR proceeds via oxidation of NO to NO2 by oxygen, followed by the reaction of the NO2 with hydrocarbons. On catalysts that are not very effective in catalyzing the equilibration of NO+O2 and NO2, the rate of N2 formation is substantially higher when the input NOx is NO2 instead of NO. The apparent bifunctional mechanism in the SCR of NOx has prompted the use of mechanically mixed catalyst components, in which one component is used to accelerate the oxidation of NO to NO2, and another component catalyzes the reaction between NO2 and the hydrocarbon. Catalysts that previously were regarded as inactive for NOx reduction could therefore become efficient when mixed with an oxidation catalyst. Preconverting NO to NO2 opens the opportunity for a wider range of SCR catalysts and perhaps improves the durability of these catalysts. This paper describes the use of a non-thermal plasma as an efficient means for selective partial oxidation of NO to NO2. When combined with some types of SCR catalyst, the plasma can greatly enhance the NOx reduction and eliminate some of the deficiencies encountered in an entirely catalyst-based approach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA379892
Entities
People
- B. M. Penetrante
- B. T. Merritt
- G. E. Vogtlin
- R. M. Brusasco
- W. J. Pitz