Novel low temperature No_x removal for diesel exhaust

A new strategy to achieve high NO removal at low temperatures in an oxygen rich atmosphere is studied. This approach involves a coupled system: an ethylene glycol (EG) reforming unit to convert a mixture of ethylene glycol and water into hydrogen and CO followed by a H₂-deNO_x unit. The performance of modified Pt supported catalyst for gas phase EG reforming at 230°C was examined. Prior to testing, the samples were calcined in air followed by reduction in H₂ at 250°C. Modification of the Pt supported catalysts with Na produce a twofold effect, an increase in the reforming activity and also stability of the catalyst. At 420 ppm EG concentration, results indicate complete conversion of ethylene glycol into hydrogen, mainly via decomposition. At higher EG concentrations (2.15% EG in the feed), oxidative reforming produced 1.4 H₂/EG. This EG reforming unit is coupled to a de-NO_x unit. Based on calculations, 0.551 kg of reforming catalyst would be needed to deliver the amount of H₂ for complete NO_x removal. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase (Cincinnati, OH 10/30/2005-11/4/2005).