Catalytic performance of Ag/Al2O3-C2H5OH-Cu/Al2O3 system for the removal of NOx from diesel engine exhaust

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by C2H5OH was studied in excess oxygen over Ag/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ag loadings at lab conditions. The 4% Ag/Al2O3 has the highest activity for the C2H5OH-SCR of NOx with a drawback of simultaneously producing CO and unburned THC in effluent gases. An oxidation catalyst 10% Cu/Al2O3 was directly placed after the Ag/Al2O3 to remove CO and unburned THC. Washcoated honeycomb catalysts were prepared based on the 4% Ag/Al2O3 and 10% Cu/Al2O3 powders and tested for the C2H5OH-SCR of NOx on a diesel engine at the practical operating conditions. Compared with the Ag/Al2O3 powder, the Ag/Al2O3 washcoated honeycomb catalyst (SCR catalyst) has a similar activity for NOx reduction by C2H5OH and the drawback of increasing the CO and unburned THC emissions. Using the SCR + Oxi composite catalyst with the optimization of C2H5OH addition, the diesel engine completely meets EURO III emission standards.