Recent advances in Pb resistance over SCR catalysts: Reaction mechanisms and anti-inactivation measures

Abstract

The study of SCR catalysts for nitrogen oxides reduction with NH3 had recently attracted much attention. As a typical heavy metal element, Pb was prone to seriously damage the denitrification performance of SCR catalysts in flue-gas environment. This work systematically reviewed the mechanisms of Pb poisoning and anti-deactivation measures reported these years for SCR catalysts. The mechanisms of Pb poisoning were summarized from both physical and chemical aspects, including the specific surface area, redox ability and surface acidity of the catalysts, and the corresponding reaction paths of the catalysts were also considered during the SCR process. In the meantime, this paper reviewed the anti-deactivation mechanisms and measures currently used to solve the problem of lead poisoning for SCR catalysts. The main methods included adding active substances to improve the redox ability and surface acidity of the catalysts, using ions or anti-poisoning sites to preferentially bind to Pb species, or using the structural characteristics of the carriers to prevent Pb from contacting with active substances. The concrete measures included the modification of catalysts with metal oxides and solid super acids, the change of carriers’ structure, and the dual effect of carriers and active materials. Finally, a prospect of lead poisoning for further research on SCR catalysts was proposed.