Simultaneous Removal of Soot and Nitrogen Oxides from Diesel Engines Exhaust

M.L. PISARELLO, C. SAUX, M.A. PERALTA, C.A. QUERINI, E.E. MIRÓ

Maiori, Italia

Workshop; 3rd European Workshop on Environmental Catalysis; 2001

Società Chimica Italiana-Gruppo Intedivisionale di Catalisi, Università di Salerno

Particulate matter (soot) and NOx are the main pollutants in diesel engine emissions. One alternative for soot elimination is the use of catalytic filter. The temperature in the exhaust gases may be as low as 200 ºC for small engines, and can exceed 600 ºC for full load for heavy engines. The reaction mechanism and therefore a rational catalyst design for this system has only recently been studied. In this paper, the reaction mechanisms are compared using different supports  promoted with potassium and/or cobalt. Barium is studied as a promoter of the reaction between NO2 and soot. The contact problem between the soot and the catalyst is also addressed.