Abstract:
An apparatus and method for vehicle emissions control. More particularly, an apparatus and method for insuring that the temperature of a vehicle's exhaust gas stream entering the underfloor catalytic converter during engine operation does not exceed the temperature at which the capability of the multi-functional catalyst in the converter to absorb NOx starts to fall off. A first temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet leading from the exhaust manifold of the engine and a second temperature sensor is provided in the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter contains a multi-functional catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst and a NOx trap as well as a NOx sensor at its outlet for sensing when NOx breakthrough is occurring. The sensors transmit their readings to a controller which transmits signals to a proportional valve located in the exhaust outlet downstream of the first temperature sensor. In response to the signals received from the controller, the proportional valve divides the exhaust gas stream received from the engine exhaust manifold into a first stream in communication with the catalytic converter and a second stream in communication with a heat exchanger. Any stream exiting the heat exchanger is then blended with the non-heat exchanged stream and the blended stream is passed into the catalytic converter. The amount of the exhaust gas stream in the first conduit will vary from that in the second conduit such that the temperature entering the catalytic converter is maintained in the range of about 300 to about 600null C. during the lean mode operation of the engine and further such that the multi-functional catalyst is periodically purged of NOx and/or SOx.
Abstract:
The invention provides low temperature NO2 trap compositions useful for adsorbing NO2 from a gas stream at lower temperatures, and releasing the NO2 at higher temperatures. The low temperature trap compositions are useful for incorporation into a diesel exhaust system equipped with a soot filter. The NO2 from the diesel exhaust can be stored when the exhaust temperature is cool, e.g., during startup and at times of low load, and released when the exhaust is at higher temperatures. The released NO2 serves as an effective oxidant for the combustion of soot deposited on the soot filter. These temperatures are significantly lower than those required for the combustion of soot using O2 as an oxidant. The methods of the invention thereby provide a method for regenerating the soot filter within operating temperature ranges typical of diesel engine exhaust systems.
Abstract:
A catalytic trap disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine which is operated with periodic alternations between lean and stoichiometric or rich conditions, for abatement of NOx in an exhaust gas stream which is generated by the engine. The trap comprises a catalytic trap material and a refractory carrier member on which the catalytic trap material is disposed. The catalytic trap material comprises: (i) a refractory metal oxide support; (ii) a catalytic component effective for promoting the reduction of NOx under stoichiometric or rich conditions; and (iii) a NOx sorbent effective for adsorbing the NOx under lean conditions and desorbing and reducing the NOx to nitrogen under stoichiometric or rich conditions. The NOx sorbent comprises a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of one or alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides and mixtures of one or more alkali metal oxides and alkaline earth metal oxides. The manganese component is selected from the group consisting of: (1) a manganese oxide, (2) a mixed oxide of manganese and a transition metal and/or a rare earth metal, (3) a compound of an alkali metal and a manganese oxide, (4) a compound of an alkaline earth metal and a manganese oxide and (5) mixtures of the foregoing oxides and compounds.
Abstract:
A catalyst system combining a low temperature conversion catalyst (LTC), a hydrocarbon adsorbent and, optionally, a three-way catalyst (TWC), is designed to achieve an ultra low vehicle emission standard for internal combustion engine powered vehicles, while never exposing the low temperature conversion catalyst to a temperature in excess of about 550null C.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a layered catalyst composite of the type generally referred to as a three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides. The structure of the layered catalyst composite of the present invention is designed wherein there are three layers in conjunction with a carrier: a first layer deposited on the carrier and comprising a high surface area refractory metal oxide; a second layer deposited on the first layer and comprising palladium and/or platinum deposited on a high surface area refractory metal oxide, and having substantially no oxygen storage components; and a third layer deposited on the second layer and comprising platinum and/or rhodium as well as an oxygen storage component, deposited on a high surface area refractory metal oxide.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an article comprising a catalyst composition and a method useful for the removal of NOx and SOx contaminants from a gaseous stream, especially gaseous streams containing sulfur oxide contaminants. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with catalysts of the type generally referred to as nullclose coupled catalystsnull which are designed to reduce pollutants in engine exhaust emissions during engine cold start conditions. The article comprises a lean burn gasoline engine having an exhaust outlet, an upstream section having a close coupled catalyst composite in communication with the exhaust outlet, and a downstream section. The upstream close coupled catalyst composite comprises a first support; a first platinum group component; and a SOx sorbent component selected from the group consisting of oxides and mixed oxides of barium, lanthanum, magnesium, manganese, neodymium, praseodymium, and strontium. The downstream section comprises a second support; a second platinum group component; and a NOx sorbent component. The upstream section has substantially no components adversely affecting three-way conversion under operating conditions.