The reactions of Oz, NO, and soot from diesel exhaust over Cu containing ca
talysts can significantly reduce soot and NOx emissions while producing N-2
and CO2. We have evaluated the performance of Cu ion exchanged ZSM-5 and C
u adsorbed on granulated activated carbon (Cu-GAC) using GAC as a surrogate
for soot in a packed bed reactor. CO, formed primarily by the oxidation of
GAC with O-2, appears to be a stable intermediate in the reduction of NO.
With experimental parameters chosen to simulate diesel exhaust conditions,
Cu-GAC is more effective than GAC mixed with Cu-ZSM-5, converting six times
more NOx to N-2 at 500 degreesC at the representative gas hourly space vel
ocity of 50,000. Both catalysts art: poisoned by H2O and SO2. A mechanism i
s presented that is consistent with the experimental results. (C) 2001 Else
vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.