Sabine Calvo

NOx reduction over CeO2–ZrO2 supported iridium catalyst in the presence of propanol

The 1-propanol assisted-reduction of NOx was investigated over Ir/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2. The catalytic performances of such a catalyst, the associated FTIR characterizations, and transient experiments suggest the formation of adsorbed R-NOx species as intermediates of the deNOx process; they provide the partially oxidized species required by the deNOx model.

Non-Thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic NOx Remediation from a Lean Model Exhaust

No efficient catalyst presently exists for deNOx in lean burn conditions. Furthermore, actual catalysts generally deactivate during reaction. A cylindrical DBD non-thermal plasma reactor was coupled with a stable three-function catalyst in order to verify the nature of the effect of the plasma on the catalytic process. A mixture of NO/O2/C3H6 in N2 was used as a lean model exhaust. The plasma was found to perform two of the three functions: NO oxidation to NO2 and propene activation through the partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon to aldehyde or alcohol. A complete catalyst containing the first two previous functions and the associative chemisorption of NO (third function) was used, as well as a simplified catalyst containing only the third function. Results suggest an advantageous plasma-catalyst coupling effect on NOx remediation in accordance with the proposed catalytic model.