NOx storage and reduction with propylene on Pt/BaO/alumina

An experimental study was carried out of periodically operated NOx (NO + NO2) storage and reduction on a model Pt/BaO/Al2O3 catalyst powder. The effect of the reductant (propylene) injection policy on time-averaged NOx conversion was evaluated in terms of feed composition and temperature, reductant pulse duration, and overall cycle time. Conditions giving time-averaged NOx conversions exceeding 90% were identified. The reductant-to-oxidant ratio during the injection and the total cycle time are both found to be critical factors to achieve high conversion. The time-averaged conversion is bounded above and below by the steady-state conversions obtained with feeds having the same compositions as that during the rich and lean part of the cycle, respectively. For a fixed supply of propylene, short pulses of high concentration are much more effective than longer pulses of reduced concentration. The NOx conversion achieves a maximum value at an intermediate overall cycle time when the propylene pulse of fixed duty fraction is net reducing. High conversions are sustained over a wide temperature window (200-400degreesC). A simple storage-reduction cycle is proposed that elucidates the main findings in the study. The key factor for high NOx conversion is the temporal production of oxygen-deficient conditions coupled with high catalyst temperatures, both resulting from the intermittent catalytic oxidation of propylene. (C) 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.