Rhodia Launches New Materials for NOx Reduction On Diesel Vehicles

www.greencarcongress.com ^ | 04/15/2008 | Staff

[Red Badger]

International chemical company Rhodia is launching two sets of materials for the formulation of deNOx catalysts showing high performance and hydrothermal durability for NOx trap technologies. Rhodia presented the emissions control materials, along with new light weight materials for weight reduction, at this week’s SAE 2008 World Congress in Detroit.

Both NOx Storage Catalyst (NSC) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technologies have shown limited efficiency at low temperature (<250°C) and poor durability due to the thermal deterioration at temperatures > 750°C with steam. Rhodia’s new materials address these limitations.

Materials for NOx Storage Catalyst technologies (NSC). NSC are sensitive to sulfur poisoning and have to be periodically desulfated at 800°C. This desulfation step at high temperature damages the NOx storage material, and the precious metal dispersion, and thus deteriorates the performances and the durability of the catalyst. With 20 years of R&D experience in synthesizing mixed oxides with high thermal resistance for gasoline catalysts, Rhodia has prepared a new generation of NSC materials based on ceria and alumina.

These recently developed ceria-based mixed oxides show an 80% NOx storage capacity at temperatures as low as 200°C after hydrothermal aging at 750°C. They are completely desulfated at 500°C. These materials maintain precious metal finely dispersed even after hydrothermal aging at 850°C. At the same time, new functionalized alumina with improved durability shows a high NSC over a wide range of temperature from 200 up to 400°C.

NOx trap AlBaCe materials are in the industrial upscaling phase. Rhodia can supply 100 kg batches, prepared in pilot tools on request. NOx trap ceria-based mixed oxides are fully industrial and Rhodia already supplies significant volumes for growing NOx trap applications.

Materials for Selective Catalytic Reduction technologies (SCR). SCR features continuous reduction of NOx by ammonia. The industry has sought a substitute for the first generation of SCR catalysts based on vanadium – titania, due to a low thermal stability, and due to the potential health effect of vanadium. Base metal-exchanged zeolites are promising NH3-SCR catalysts. However, they show poor conversion rates at low temperature (150°C – 200°C) and a limited thermal stability over 700°C. This is a major drawback for passenger car, and light-duty applications, when the exhaust line is fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

Rhodia and MEL Chemicals, the world’s leading manufacturer of zirconium chemicals, are collaborating in the field of Zirconia-based acidic materials. The collaboration proposes mixed oxides with high thermal stability promoted by rare earths and base metals. These materials show pure phase, high surface area (more than 100 m²/g at 900°C in air) and a high stability after ageing at 750°C/16h in wet air. These oxides show a high NOx conversion at 200°C, no N2O formation and a very low NH3 slip.

Acidic zirconias for SCR are in the industrial upscaling phase. Rhodia and MEL can supply 100 kg batches, prepared in pilot tools on request.

[Red Badger]

Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.....

If you want ON or OFF the DIESEL ”KnOcK” LIST just FReepmail me.....

This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days.....

[Kenny Bunk]

Marvelous news, indeed!

However, if we don't start drilling and pumping more oil here at home, and refining same, right here, I predict massive civil strife at fast food grease traps, as we all fight for bio-diesel ingredients.

Between the oilcos, OPEC, an obtuse government whose bureaucracies are manned by Leftist leg-warmer-wearing Affirmative Action nincompoops, and the algores trying to save a planet that doesn't need it, diesel will sell for $12/gal, if we're lucky. Sulfur-free, of course. Then there's methanol, made from coal, but there's no plan for that, either. In fact, there's no plan!

I don't despair, though. In fact, I plan on riding my horse over to look at one of these Rhodia converters as soon as Jay Leno buys one for his museum. I suppose the Smithsonian will have one, too.

[tubebender]

Money ping...