Catalytic reduction of NOx with H2/CO/CH4 over PdMOR catalysts

Conversion of NOx with reducing agents H2, CO and CH4, with and without O2, H2O, and CO2 were studied with catalysts based on MOR zeolite loaded with palladium and cerium. The catalysts reached high NOx to N2 conversion with H2 and CO (>90% conversion and N2 selectivity) range under lean conditions. The formation of N2O is absent in the presence of both H2 and CO together with oxygen in the feed, which will be the case in lean engine exhaust. PdMOR shows synergic co-operation between H2 and CO at 450–500 K. The positive effect of cerium is significant in the case of H2 and CH4 reducing agent but is less obvious with H2/CO mixture and under lean conditions. Cerium lowers the reducibility of Pd species in the zeolite micropores. The catalysts showed excellent stability at temperatures up to 673 K in a feed with 2500 ppm CH4, 500 ppm NO, 5% O2, 10% H2O (0–1% H2), N2 balance but deactivation is noticed at higher temperatures. Combining results of the present study with those of previous studies it shows that the PdMOR-based catalysts are good catalysts for NOx reduction with H2, CO, hydrocarbons, alcohols and aldehydes under lean conditions at temperatures up to 673 K.