Technical Paper
The Challenges of Meeting Future Emissions Legislation with a Novel Low Precious Metal TWC
2004-10-25
2004-01-2984
This paper describes the development of a novel low precious metal nano-technology catalyst (Nanocat) and its application in a modern European gasoline vehicle. Three iterations of low precious metal nano-technology catalysts were tested on a Euro 3 certified gasoline vehicle over the European drive cycle (EDC). Engine dynamometer lean spike ageing was used to simulate aged catalysts representing approximately 100 000 km on-road ageing. The fresh and aged nano-technology catalysts were tested and compared to the vehicle production catalyst. The third iteration of fresh nano-technology catalyst met Euro 3 emissions legislation and also met Euro 4 limits for HC and NOx. However, after lean spike ageing the NOx levels exceeded Euro 3 limits but the HC tailpipe remained within Euro 4 limits. The ageing process caused an 18% reduction in the NOx conversion but the HC conversion was maintained.
