Dual layer automotive ammonia oxidation catalysts: Experiments and computer simulation

Today, platinum based ammonia oxidation catalysts are applied in automotive exhaust systems to avoid ammonia slip from the SCR catalyst. In this paper we present a dual layer catalyst design with an additional SCR layer on top of the Pt/Al2O3 layer. Laboratory experiments show that the additional SCR layer significantly reduces NO formation, improves N2 selectivity but also reduces the overall NH3 conversion.A mechanistically based kinetic model for NH3 oxidation on platinum is presented. The model is parameterised using experiments with a single layer Pt/Al2O3 catalyst and well describes the NH3 conversion and the selectivities for the products N2, N2O and NO. Additionally NO oxidation to NO2 is included in the model.Based on the mechanistic model for the platinum layer and a previously published model for the SCR layer, a 2-D model of the dual layer catalyst is set up. This model takes into account the diffusion and reaction in the two washcoat layers of one monolith channel. The 2-D model reproduces the experimental data well, with the mechanisms for the two layers parameterised in separate experiments and no additional parameters adjusted for the dual layer model.Finally, the model is used to study the effect of some design parameters such as catalyst size, NO oxidation capacity of the Pt-layer and the thickness or diffusion coefficient of the SCR layer.

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► A bi-functional dual layer design improves selectivity of NH3-oxidation catalysts.
► A mechanistic model for NH3 oxidation on platinum is presented.
► Diffusion effects in the dual layer catalyst are studied by a 2-D numerical model.
► The model well reproduces the experimental results for the dual layer catalyst.