The state of research on two catalysts that can work in lean-burn engines
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 - 06:00
in Physics & Chemistry
Lean-burn engines operate under net oxidizing conditions to improve fuel efficiency by more than 25 percent, compared to conventional engines. Unfortunately, the added air causes the performance of conventional exhaust emission systems to deteriorate as the reduction of nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen is suppressed. The presence of nitrogen oxides (commonly abbreviated NOx) in the atmosphere can lead to smog, a health risk. For about 5 years, scientists have studied two extremely heat-stable, highly efficient catalysts for NOx conversion: Cu-SSZ-13, a zeolite material, and the isostructural Cu-SAPO-34.