Compatibility of NOx and PM Abatement in Diesel Catalysts

Stringent new emission regulations pose challenges for the development of diesel catalyst technology. Future 4-way catalyst technology must provide for the simultaneous control of CO, HC, NOx and particulate matter (PM). Since NOx abatement is a reduction process while control of CO, HC and PM emissions requires catalytic oxidation, it is difficult to simultaneously control all four regulated pollutants under the oxidizing conditions found in diesel exhaust. New catalysts for lean NOx control have been developed for systems that operate with injection of reductant (active systems) and without injection of reductant (passive systems). In this study, two experimental catalysts which have potential as lean NOx catalysts, Pt/ZSM-5 and an Ir catalyst, were evaluated under both passive and active conditions. Conditions required for simultaneous PM and NOx abatement are discussed for a lean NOx + a conventional diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) system. It was found that a Pt/ZSM-5 catalyst with mild HC oxidation activity showed selective NOx reduction, however, under the conditions of this investigation PM oxidation and NOx reduction were not compatible.