A study on the catalytic activity of new catalysts for removal of NOx, CH and CO emitted from car exhaust

Three catalysts were prepared from copper oxide carried on a matrix of a mixture of Syrian, Jordanian natural zeolite, Syrian bentonite, and Al2O3–CuO. As a simulation to the field motor car condition, a good quantity of macrosize granules of the catalyst was used, and the initial reacting agents were the car exhaust gases (C.E.G.). Catalytic experiments were conducted by means of a flow micro pulse–like reactor using the gases emitted from car exhaust. When the (ZJB–CuO, Al2O3–CuO) catalyst was applied, the maximal de-CO conversion was as estimated as 60% at 250 °C, and 90% for de-CH at 400 °C, whereas the de-CH rate conversion of the (ZB–CuO, Al2O3–MoO3–CuO) catalyst was as much as 80% at 360 °C and 78% for de-CO at 360 °C. The catalytic data made it possible to suggest a mechanism for each of the ongoing reactions. A maximal de-CH, conversion rate on the (ZB–CuO, Al2O3–CuO) catalyst was reached at 450 °C. The N2 adsorption–desorption measurements were carried out at (−196 °C), thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction for the catalysts were studied as well. A comparative study was conducted between the catalysts [(ZB–CuO, Al2O3–MoO3–CuO), and (ZJB–CuO, Al2O3–CuO)] and a honeycomb structure commercial catalyst manufactured for use in gasoline vehicles.