Performance characterization of a selective catalytic reduction on filter aftertreatment system in a heavy-duty diesel engine tested on a laboratory dynamometer

Abstract

Increasingly stringent emission regulations call for improvement in the current emissions control technology in heavy-duty diesel engines. In the existing aftertreatment system utilized in diesel engines, there is already a challenge with space and volume, and an attempt to add more components would lead to the consumption of more space and impracticable. The Selective Catalytic Reduction on Filter (SCRF)-an integration of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in a single component, offers space saving and favorable thermal inertia opportunities. However, literatures are conflicting on the effect of the SCR and DPF activities on the operations of the SCRF, as both require NO2 for fast SCR reaction, and passive soot oxidation respectively. This paper presents a detailed experimental characterization of a Silicon-Carbide (Si–C) coated with Copper-Zeolite (Cu-Ze) catalyst SCRF after-treatment component in a heavy-duty diesel engine, evaluated on a laboratory dynamometer. The effect of particulate matter loading on the SCRF activities in steady state, and transient operations was investigated, with emphasis on the simultaneous utilization of NO2 between the passive soot oxidation activities and SCR reactions-which is a determinant of the NOx conversion efficiency. The SCRF was loaded from 0 g/L up to 5 g/L while passive regeneration and NOx conversion activities were investigated over steady and transient cycles. The investigation has shown that both NOx conversion efficiency and passive soot oxidation increase with particulate matter loading in the SCRF system of a heavy-duty diesel engine.