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Gasoline particulate filters (GPF) with high filtration efficiency (>80%) at zero mileage are in growing demand to meet increasingly tight vehicle emission standards for particulate matter being implemented in US, EU, China and elsewhere. Current efforts to achieve high filter performance mainly focus on fine-tuning the filter structure, such as the pore size distribution and porosity of the bare substrate, or the washcoat loading and location of catalyzed substrates. However, high filtration efficiency may have a cost in high backpressure that negatively affects engine power. On the other hand, it has been recognized in a few reports that very low amounts of ash deposits (from non-combustible residue in the exhaust) can significantly increase filtration efficiency with only a mild backpressure increase.

It is likely that use of urea-based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) will be needed to meet U.S. Tier 2 diesel emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The ideal ratio of ammonia (NH3) molecules to NOx molecules (known as alpha) is 1:1 based on urea consumption and having NH3 available for reaction of all of the exhaust NOx. However, SCR efficiency can be less than 100% at low temperatures in general, and at higher temperatures with high exhaust SCR catalyst space velocities. At the low temperatures where NOx conversion efficiency is low, it may be advantageous to reduce the alpha ratio to values less than one (less NH3 than is needed to convert 100% of the NOx emissions) to avoid NH3 slip. At higher space velocities and high temperatures, the NOx conversion efficiency may be higher with alpha ratios greater than 1. There is however concern that the additional NH3 will be slipped under these conditions.

Copper/zeolite catalysts are the leading urea SCR catalysts for NOx emission treatment in diesel applications. Sulfur poisoning directly impacts the overall SCR performance and is still a durability issue for Cu/zeolite SCR catalysts. Most studies on sulfur poisoning of Cu/zeolite SCR catalysts have been based on SO2 as the poisoning agent. It is important to investigate the relative poisoning effects of SO3, especially for systems with DOCs in front of Cu/zeolite SCR catalysts. It was observed that SCR activity was significantly reduced for samples poisoned by SO3 vs. those poisoned by SO2. The sulfur was released mainly as SO2 for both samples poisoned by SO2 and SO3. The temperatures and the magnitudes of released SO2 peaks however, were very different between the samples poisoned by SO2 vs. SO3. The results indicate that sulfur poisoning by SO2 and SO3 are not equivalent, with different poisoning mechanisms and impacts.

Model low temperature NOx adsorbers (LTNA) consisting of Pd on a ceria/zirconia washcoat on monoliths were evaluated for low temperature NOx storage under lean conditions to assess their potential for adsorbing the cold-start NOx emissions on a diesel engine during the period before the urea/SCR system becomes operational. A reactor-based transient test was performed with and without C2H4, CO/H2, and H2O to assess the effects of these species on the NOx storage performance. In the absence of C2H4 or CO/H2, H2O severely suppressed the NOx storage of these model LTNAs at temperatures below 100°C, presumably by blocking the storage sites. When C2H4 was included in the feedgas, H2O still suppressed the NOx storage below 100°C. However, the C2H4 significantly increased the NOx storage efficiency above 100°C, attributable to the formation of alkyl nitrites or alkyl nitrates on the catalyst.

Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx is a promising technology to enable diesel engines to meet certification under Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions requirements. SCR catalysts for vehicle use are typically zeolitic materials known to store both hydrocarbons and ammonia. Ammonia storage on the zeolite has a beneficial effect on NOx conversion; hydrocarbons however, compete with ammonia for storage sites and may also block access to the interior of the zeolites where the bulk of the catalytic processes take place. This paper presents the results of laboratory studies utilizing surrogate hydrocarbon species to simulate engine-out exhaust over catalysts formulated to operate in both low (≈175-500°C) and high temperature (≈250-600°C) regimes. The effects of hydrocarbon exposure of these individual species on the SCR reaction are examined and observations are made as to necessary conditions for the recovery of SCR activity.

In anticipation that future gasoline engines will have improved fuel efficiency and therefore lower exhaust temperatures during low load operation, a project was initiated in 2014 to develop three-way catalysts (TWC) with improved activity at lower temperatures while maintaining the durability of current TWCs. This project is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Michigan and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The ultimate goal is to show progress towards the USDRIVE goal of 90% conversion of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) at 150°C after high mileage aging. A reactor was set up at Ford to follow the catalyst testing protocols established by the USDRIVE ACEC tech team for evaluating catalysts for stoichiometric gasoline direct-injection (S-GDI) engines; this protocol specifies a stoichiometric blend of CO/H2, NO, C3H6, C2H4, C3H8, O2, H2O, and CO2 for the evaluations.

An advanced diesel aftertreatment system utilizing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with urea for lean nitrogen oxides (NOx) control was tested on a 2.7L V6 Land Rover vehicle to demonstrate the capability of achieving Tier 2 Bin 5 and lower emission standards for light-duty trucks. SCR washcoat was applied to a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to perform NOx and particulate reduction simultaneously. Advanced SCR systems employed both traditional SCR catalysts and SCR-coated filters (SCRF) to improve the NOx reduction efficiency. The engine-out NOx level was adjusted by modifying the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) calibration. Cold start NOx performance was improved by SCR warm-up strategy and urea over injection. This study showed the advanced SCR system could tolerate higher NH₃ storage in the SCR catalyst, resulting in overall higher NOx conversion on the FTP-75 test cycle.

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is a promising technology for diesel aftertreatment to meet NOx emissions targets in several countries. In established markets such as the US and Europe, zeolite SCR systems are expected to be used due to their ability to survive the exhaust gas temperatures seen in an active diesel particulate filter regeneration. In emerging markets where the fuel sulfur level may be as high as 2000 parts per million, zeolite SCR catalysts may have durability issues. In these markets, low sulfur fuel is needed overall to meet emissions standards and to avoid high sulfate emissions, but the aftertreatment system must be durable to high sulfur levels because there is a risk of exposure to high sulfur fuel. Also, emissions standards may be met without a DPF in some applications, so that the exhaust system would not see temperatures of 600°C or higher.

The 2007 emission standards for both light-duty and heavy-duty diesel vehicles remain a challenge. A level of about 90% NOx conversion is required to meet the standards. Technologies that have the most potential to achieve very high NOx conversion at low temperatures of diesel exhaust are lean NOx traps (LNTs) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx using aqueous urea, typically known as Urea SCR. The LNT has the advantage of requiring no new infrastructure, and does not pose any new customer compliance issues. However, Urea SCR has high and durable NOx conversion in a wider temperature window, a lower equivalent fuel penalty, and lower system cost. On a technical basis, Urea SCR has the best chance of meeting the 2007 NOx targets. This paper reviews the results of some demonstration programs for both light-and heavy-duty applications.

A laboratory study was performed to assess the potential capability of TWC+LNT/SCR systems to satisfy the Tier 2, Bin 2 emission standards for lean-burn gasoline applications. It was assumed that the exhaust system would need a close-coupled (CC) TWC, an underbody (U/B) TWC, and a third U/B LNT/SCR converter to satisfy the emission standards on the FTP and US06 tests while allowing lean operation for improved fuel economy during select driving conditions. Target levels for HC, CO, and NOx during lean/rich cycling were established. Sizing studies were performed to determine the minimum LNT/SCR volume needed to satisfy the NOx target. The ability of the TWC to oxidize the HC during rich operation through steam reforming was crucial for satisfying the HC target.

Base metal/zeolite catalysts, particularly containing copper and iron, are among the leading candidates for treatment of NOx emissions for diesel applications. Even with the use of ultra low sulfur fuel, sulfur poisoning is still a durability issue for base metal/zeolite SCR catalysts. In this study, the impact of sulfur poisoning on SCR activity and the stored sulfur removal effectiveness were investigated on several Cu and Fe/zeolite SCR catalysts after different thermal aging. The impact of sulfur was more significant on the Cu than on Fe/zeolite SCR catalysts for the NOx activity. It was found that the sensitivity of thermal aging status to the sulfur poisoning impact was different. The impact of sulfur on NOx activity changed with thermal aging on some catalysts, while it remained relatively the same for other catalysts. The most thermally durable SCR catalyst was not necessarily the most durable to sulfur poisoning.

Lean NOx Traps (LNTs) are one type of lean NOx reduction technology typically used in smaller diesel passenger cars where urea-based Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems may be difficult to package . However, the performance of lean NOx traps (LNT) at temperatures above 400 C needs to be improved. The use of Rapidly Pulsed Reductants (RPR) is a process in which hydrocarbons are injected in rapid pulses ahead of a LNT in order to expand its operating window to higher temperatures and space velocities. This approach has also been called Di-Air (diesel NOx aftertreatment by adsorbed intermediate reductants) by Toyota. There is a vast parameter space which could be explored to maximize RPR performance and reduce the fuel penalty associated with injecting hydrocarbons. In this study, the mixing uniformity of the injected pulses, the type of reductant, and the concentration of pulsed reductant in the main flow were investigated.

A laboratory study was performed to assess the potential capability of passive TWC+SCR systems to satisfy the Tier 2, Bin 2 emission standards for lean-burn gasoline applications. In this system, the TWC generates the NH3 for the SCR catalyst from the feedgas NOx during rich operation. Therefore, this approach benefits from high feedgas NOx during rich operation to generate high levels of NH3 quickly and low feedgas NOx during lean operation for a low rate of NH3 consumption. It was assumed that the exhaust system needed to include a close-coupled (CC) TWC, an underbody (U/B) TWC, and an U/B SCR converter to satisfy the emission standards during the FTP and US06 tests while allowing lean operation for improved fuel economy during select driving conditions. Target levels for HC, CO, and NOx during lean/rich cycling were established. With a 30 s lean/10 s rich cycle and 200 ppm NO lean, 1500 ppm NO rich and the equivalent of 3.3 L of SCR volume were required to satisfy the NOx target.

Diesel vehicles have significant advantages over their gasoline counterparts including a more efficient engine, higher fuel economy, and lower emissions of HC, CO, and CO2. However, NOx control is more difficult on a diesel because of the high O2 concentration in the exhaust, making conventional three-way catalysts ineffective. Two current available technologies for continuous NOx reduction onboard diesel vehicles are Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) using aqueous urea and lean NOx trap (LNT) catalysts. This paper discusses an application with SCR. SCR with ammonia has been used for many years at stationary sources. Aqueous urea is a convenient way to deliver ammonia onboard a vehicle and high NOx efficiencies have been shown in past work by Ford and others using urea. Tailpipe NOx emissions from a modified European production level 1.8L diesel Ford Focus TDCi were reduced to the range of ULEVII levels (0.05 g/mi NOx) with a green catalyst system.

The increasing use of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines coupled with the implementation of new particulate matter (PM) and particle number (PN) emissions regulations requires new emissions control strategies. Gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) present one approach to reduce particle emissions. Although primarily composed of combustible material which may be removed through oxidation, particle also contains incombustible components or ash. Over the service life of the filter the accumulation of ash causes an increase in exhaust backpressure, and limits the useful life of the GPF. This study utilized an accelerated aging system to generate elevated ash levels by injecting lubricant oil with the gasoline fuel into a burner system. GPFs were aged to a series of levels representing filter life up to 150,000 miles (240,000 km). The impact of ash on the filter pressure drop and on its sensitivity to soot accumulation was investigated at specific ash levels.

Diesel exhaust systems equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts based on urea were subjected to an aging process where the exhaust gas temperature was below 300°C. Solid deposits related to urea injection were found on the wall of the exhaust pipe down stream of the urea injector and on a urea mixer in front of the SCR catalyst. In laboratory tests, an aqueous solution of urea (1.5wt%) was dripped onto an SCR catalyst core in a simulated lean gas mixture at a rate corresponding to a 1:1 NH3-to-NOx ratio (NOx = 350ppm) and a space velocity (SV) of 15,000 h-1 at various temperatures. At 300°C and below, urea-related deposits appeared on the SCR catalyst surface and totally plugged the SCR catalyst monolith within 250 hours. When the aging temperature was 350°C or above, no deposits were observed on the SCR catalyst core.

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx with aqueous urea and a Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter (CDPF) has been considered as one of the emission control systems for diesel vehicles required to meet Federal Tier 2 and California LEVII emission standards. At Ford Motor Company, a DOC-SCR-CDPF system containing a copper / zeolite SCR catalyst was aged to 120k mi on the engine dynamometer using an aging cycle that mimicked both city and highway driving modes. A total of 643 CDPF regenerations occurred during the aging that raised the SCR catalyst to a temperature of up to 650°C on a regular basis. A series of lab analyses including activity tests, ammonia thermal desorption, BET surface area, XRF, XRD, and EPMA was conducted on cores taken from the 120k mi engine aged SCR catalyst brick. The lab post-mortem characterizations revealed the changes of catalyst properties, and the deterioration profile of the SCR catalyst brick after undergoing real aging conditions.

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is a technology capable of meeting Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOX) for diesel engines. Base metal zeolite catalysts show the best combination of thermal durability and NOX conversion activity. It is shown in this work that some base metal zeolite catalysts can store high levels of hydrocarbons (HCs). Also, base metal zeolite catalysts can catalyze oxidation of HCs under certain conditions. Oxidation of stored hydrocarbons can lead to permanent catalyst deactivation due to the exotherm generated in the SCR catalyst (over-temperature condition leading to SCR catalyst damage). This paper discusses a laboratory bench test to characterize hydrocarbon storage and burn-off characteristics of several SCR catalyst formulations, as well as engine dynamometer tests showing hydrocarbon storage and exotherm generation.

The need for gasoline particulate filter (GPF) technology is expected to grow with increasingly tight particle emissions standards being implemented in US, EU, China and elsewhere. Derived from the successful experience with diesel particulate filters (DPF), GPFs adopted the characteristic alternately plugged honeycomb structure that provides a large area of porous cordierite wall for filtering particles with minimal additional backpressure. However, unlike DPFs, continuous soot regeneration in GPFs makes it difficult to grow and sustain the soot cake on the filter wall that gives DPFs their high filtration efficiency. Therefore, filtration performance of low mileage GPFs relies heavily on the porous structure of filter media, which depends on both the substrate and the applied washcoat. In this work, a blank, two fresh washcoated filters and two washcoated filters with 3000 km mileage accumulation were characterized to compare their filtration performance.

Reducing cold-start emissions to meet increasingly stringent emissions limits requires fast activation of exhaust system sensors and aftertreatment control strategies. One factor delaying the activation time of current exhaust sensors, such as NOx and particulate matter (PM) sensors, is the need to protect these sensors from water present in the exhaust system. Exposure of the ceramic sensing element to water droplets can lead to thermal shock and failure of the sensor. In order to prevent such failures, various algorithms are employed to estimate the dew point of the exhaust gas and determine when the exhaust system is sufficiently dry to enable safe sensor operation. In contrast to these indirect, model-based approaches, this study utilized radio frequency (RF) sensors typically applied to monitor soot loading levels in diesel and gasoline particulate filters, to provide a direct measurement of stored water levels on the ceramic filter elements themselves.