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The catalytic converter on a European diesel car must operate under extremely variable conditions, ranging from very low temperature during city-driving to high temperature during Autobahn-driving. Therefore, the development of new catalyst technology for European applications requires simultaneous achievement of properties that have long been considered incompatible. In this paper, it is shown how extremely good low temperature activity for CO and hydrocarbons (and VOF), negligible storage of sulfates, and very good thermal durability were obtained simultaneously with an appreciable reduction of NOx. Through the systematic analysis of basic catalytic phenomena, under conditions of relevance to the real-world application, it was possible to control the interaction between support, stabilizers and promoters with the precious metal package in an efficient way. The large-scale manufacturing aspects formed an important part of the development program.

The application of oxidation catalyst and particulate filter technology for the reduction of particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from heavy duty diesel engines has become an established practice. The design and performance of such systems have been commercially proven to the point that the application of these technologies is cost effective and durable. The application of an effective NOx reduction technology in heavy duty diesel applications is more complicated since there are no passive NOx reduction technologies that can be fit onto HDD vehicles. However, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems using Urea injection to achieve NOx reduction have become the technology of choice in Europe and have been applied to achieve Euro IV emissions levels on new HDD vehicles. In addition, retrofit SCR emission control systems have also been developed that can provide high NOx reduction when applied on existing HDD vehicles.