Co-optimisation of deNOx catalytic converters and fuels
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Chemical and Process Engineering
Abstract
NOx, particularly NO2, is a key air pollutant causing approximately 50,000 premature deaths annually in Europe1. Diesel engines are one of the major sources of NOx emissions. Though light duty vehicles are transitioning to electrified powertrains in some territories, heavy duty vehicles and machineries are likely to continue to depend on diesel or compression ignition engines for the near to medium term due to their high power and load density requirement.
To mitigate and control the impact of vehicular emissions, the EU has set the new and stringent emission legislation, Euro 7, to replace the currently Euro 6 emission standards for passenger cars and vans (EU Regulation (EC) 715/2007) and Euro VI emission standards for heavy goods vehicles and buses (EU Regulation (EC) 595/2009). A key requirement for the Euro 7 emission standards is highly efficient conversion of NOx during cold start and low power operation which requires effective low temperature catalytic conversion for NOx emissions.
Diesel engines are also a major power source for marine vessels. Marine diesel engines emit about 20 million tons of NOx every year, account for 15% of global anthropogenic pollution. To curb the pollutions from marine engines, the international Maritime Organisation (IMO) introduced strict emission regulations such as MARPOL Annex VI and US EPA Tier III-IV emission standards for marine diesel engines Category 1-2. This has pushed marine vessels/engines to deploy more effective emission mitigation measures such as using cleaner alternative fuels and more effective exhaust aftertreatment systems. One of the challenges for exhaust aftertreatment systems is the inefficiency of NOx conversion at lower exhaust temperatures.
We, at the University of Leeds, have developed a patented deNOx catalyst (LowCat) to be used in SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) exhaust aftertreatment system and able to convert NO2 at room temperature. The catalyst material was inspired initially by a STFC project investigating CO oxidation in Venus' atmosphere and synthesised in the lab as an analogue for meteoric material in Venus' atmosphere. This was further developed by a STFC IPS project "Demonstration of a base metal Low-temperature Catalytic converter for deNOx (LowCat Demo)" (Dec.2021-Feb.2024). Several prototype catalytic exhaust aftertreatment systems are being tested in our engine lab and demonstrated promising results.
The aim of the project is to develop co-optimised low temperature deNOx catalyst (LowCat) based exhaust aftertreatment systems with various fuels including low and zero carbon fuels, and widen the applications of the LowCat to cover off-road and marine propulsions. The objectives include:
a). Market research into future fuel strategies for engines and emissions
b). Investigation of impacts of current and low/zero carbon fuels on the performance of LowCat based exhaust aftertreatment systems.
c). Optimisation of configuration of LowCat based exhaust aftertreatment systems.
d). Establish a low/zero carbon fuels and emission testing and innovation centre.
e). Develop a design tool for LowCat based exhaust aftertreatment systems.
The project will provide effective measures to control NOx emissions for on-road vehicles and off-road machineries, and marine propulsions. The project will boost the use of low/zero carbon fuels.
The project will benefit manufacturers of exhaust aftertreatment systems, on-road and off-road (including marine) engines, low carbon fuels, and residents and workers exposed to highly polluted areas. The project will help UK manufacturers exporting to developing countries.
[1]. European Environment Agency (2022),Health impacts of air pollution in Europe.
To mitigate and control the impact of vehicular emissions, the EU has set the new and stringent emission legislation, Euro 7, to replace the currently Euro 6 emission standards for passenger cars and vans (EU Regulation (EC) 715/2007) and Euro VI emission standards for heavy goods vehicles and buses (EU Regulation (EC) 595/2009). A key requirement for the Euro 7 emission standards is highly efficient conversion of NOx during cold start and low power operation which requires effective low temperature catalytic conversion for NOx emissions.
Diesel engines are also a major power source for marine vessels. Marine diesel engines emit about 20 million tons of NOx every year, account for 15% of global anthropogenic pollution. To curb the pollutions from marine engines, the international Maritime Organisation (IMO) introduced strict emission regulations such as MARPOL Annex VI and US EPA Tier III-IV emission standards for marine diesel engines Category 1-2. This has pushed marine vessels/engines to deploy more effective emission mitigation measures such as using cleaner alternative fuels and more effective exhaust aftertreatment systems. One of the challenges for exhaust aftertreatment systems is the inefficiency of NOx conversion at lower exhaust temperatures.
We, at the University of Leeds, have developed a patented deNOx catalyst (LowCat) to be used in SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) exhaust aftertreatment system and able to convert NO2 at room temperature. The catalyst material was inspired initially by a STFC project investigating CO oxidation in Venus' atmosphere and synthesised in the lab as an analogue for meteoric material in Venus' atmosphere. This was further developed by a STFC IPS project "Demonstration of a base metal Low-temperature Catalytic converter for deNOx (LowCat Demo)" (Dec.2021-Feb.2024). Several prototype catalytic exhaust aftertreatment systems are being tested in our engine lab and demonstrated promising results.
The aim of the project is to develop co-optimised low temperature deNOx catalyst (LowCat) based exhaust aftertreatment systems with various fuels including low and zero carbon fuels, and widen the applications of the LowCat to cover off-road and marine propulsions. The objectives include:
a). Market research into future fuel strategies for engines and emissions
b). Investigation of impacts of current and low/zero carbon fuels on the performance of LowCat based exhaust aftertreatment systems.
c). Optimisation of configuration of LowCat based exhaust aftertreatment systems.
d). Establish a low/zero carbon fuels and emission testing and innovation centre.
e). Develop a design tool for LowCat based exhaust aftertreatment systems.
The project will provide effective measures to control NOx emissions for on-road vehicles and off-road machineries, and marine propulsions. The project will boost the use of low/zero carbon fuels.
The project will benefit manufacturers of exhaust aftertreatment systems, on-road and off-road (including marine) engines, low carbon fuels, and residents and workers exposed to highly polluted areas. The project will help UK manufacturers exporting to developing countries.
[1]. European Environment Agency (2022),Health impacts of air pollution in Europe.
