Combination of LNT and SCR for NOx reduction in passenger car applications

Abstract

The removal of NOx and particulate emissions in light-duty diesel vehicles will require the use of aftertreatment methods like Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with urea and Lean NOx Trap (LNT) (Euro 6 and beyond). A new concept is the combination of LNT + SCR, which enables on-board synthesis of ammonia (NH3), which reacts with NOx on the SCR catalyst. The main application for this kind system will be lighter passenger cars, where LNTs may be used instead of full urea-SCR system. That particular combinatory system was investigated by developing platinum (Pt) and rhodium (Rh) containing LNTs and SCR catalysts in this study. In the use conditions, the maximum temperature may reach temperatures up to 800 °C and NOx reduction reactions should proceed without NO2 assistance in the SCR position after LNT and DPF. PtRh/LNT with the total loadings of 85 g/cft (2.8 g/L) and higher resulted in a high NOx efficiency above 80–90% with a broad operation window in the laboratory simulations. In the experimental conditions, a higher NH3 concentration after LNT was essential to simulate well the operation of SCR catalysts. The developed Cu-SCR catalyst showed a high hydrothermal durability up to the ageing temperature of 800 °C and a wide operation window without the NO2 assistance (NO only in feed). Fe-SCR and V-SCR catalysts were more dependent on NO2. A studied concept had an air injection after LNT to keep SCR condition always in lean side, where the SCR reaction was promoted by oxygen resulting in high reduction selectivity to nitrogen (N2) without NH3 emissions. The simulations in reaction conditions and system design resulted in the proposals for the optimal design and main reaction mechanism in DOC + DPF + LNT + SCR systems.