Plasma Catalysis for NOx Reduction from Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles
This annual report reviews FY 2003 progress of a program aimed at the development of a novel plasma/catalyst technology for the remediation of NOx under lean (excess oxygen) conditions, specifically for compression ignition direct injection (CIDI) diesel engines that have significant fuel economy benefits over conventional stoichiometric gasoline engines. Our previous work has shown that a non-thermal plasma in combination with an appropriate catalyst can provide NOx emission reduction efficiency of 60-80% using a simulated diesel exhaust. Based on these levels of NOx reduction obtained in the lab, a simple model was developed in this program that allows for the estimation of the fuel economy penalty that would be incurred by operating a plasma/catalyst system. Results obtained from this model suggest that a 5% fuel economy penalty is achievable with the then current (FY2000) state-of-the-art catalyst materials and plasma reactor designs. In this last year, we have continued to focus on (1) improving the catalyst and plasma reactor efficiencies for NOx reduction, (2) studies to reveal important details of the reaction mechanism(s) that can then guide our catalyst and reactor development efforts (focus 1), and (3) evaluating the performance of prototype systems on real engine exhaust. While studies of the effects of the plasma on PM in real diesel engine exhaust is meant to be part of the program, this year we did not conduct any experiments along these lines due to the major effort required to carry out the engine testing (focus 3).
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 964239
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-41975; VT0401000
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Advanced Combustion Engine R&D: 2003 Annual Progress Report, 129-136
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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