Effect of sulfur loading on the desulfation chemistry of a commercial lean NOx trap catalyst

We investigate the effects of initial sulfur loadings on the desulfation chemistry and subsequent final activity of a commercial LNT catalyst. Identical total amounts of SO2 are applied to the samples, albeit with the frequency of desulfation varied. The results indicate that performance is better with less frequent desulfations. The greater the amount of sulfur deposited before desulfation, the more amount of SO2 evolution before H2S is observed during desulfation, which can be explained by two sequential reactions; initial conversion of sulfate to SO2, followed by the reduction of SO2 to H2S. After completing all sulfation/desulfation steps, the sample with only a single desulfation results in a fairly uniform sulfur distribution along the z-axis inside of the monolith. We expect that the results obtained in this study will provide useful information for optimizing regeneration strategies in vehicles that utilize the LNT technology.

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► Multiple desulfation strategies studied for a commercial lean NOx trap catalyst system.
► Frequent desulfations of low amounts of sulfur versus rare desulfations of catalysts with high sulfur loading assessed.
► The distribution of products from desulfation is affected by sulfur loading.
► Desulfations result in a redistribution of sulfur as well as sulfur removal.