Application of potash glass as a catalyst for diesel soot oxidation

A novel approach for catalyzing diesel soot oxidation with a potash glass is reported. A simple potash glass (35K2O:2SiO2:13CaO weight ratio) was synthesized and examined for activity for the combustion of diesel soot under various contact and atmospheric conditions by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The glass was found to be an effective soot oxidation catalyst. Leaching of potassium from the glass helps to mitigate the effect of potassium loss during combustion, offering an effective means to maintain the surface activity of the glass catalyst, as seen from repeated TGA cycling.