Catalyst Honeycomb with Optimized Particle Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing catalyst supporting honeycombs have a large diameter of supported catalyst particles compared to soot aggregate particles, resulting in few contact points and inefficient soot combustion by active oxygen, leading to soot accumulation and frequent forced regeneration, which lowers fuel economy.

Innovation Solution

The catalyst supporting honeycomb design features a pillar-shaped structure with a larger cross-sectional area of large-volume cells compared to small-volume cells, with oxide catalyst particles of 0.05 to 1.00 µm diameter, enhancing contact points between soot and catalyst, and using materials like silicon carbide for heat resistance and mechanical strength, along with specific oxide catalysts for improved active oxygen delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the honeycomb structured body is impregnated in the catalyst solution in a slurry state, then the catalyst can be supported on the honeycomb, but the diameter of the supported catalyst particles becomes much larger than the diameter of soot aggregate particles, resulting in few contact points between catalyst and soot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst particle diameterVSAvoidsoot combustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the catalyst particle diameter to be within a specific range (0.05 to 1.00 μm, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 μm) to match the soot aggregate particle size. This size optimization increases the number of contact points between catalyst and soot particles, thereby improving soot combustion efficiency without requiring slurry impregnation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a small amount of binder (0.1 to 5 mass% relative to catalyst) to achieve adequate adhesion without excessive binding that would block active sites. This partial action approach ensures sufficient catalyst support while maintaining high soot combustion activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Ease of manufacture

If the catalyst particles are large in diameter, then the catalyst can be easily supported on the honeycomb, but the contact points between catalyst particles and soot aggregate particles are few, reducing soot combustion behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst support easeVSAvoidsoot combustion rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes catalyst particle size parameters to fall within 0.05 to 1.00 μm (preferably 0.1 to 0.5 μm), which balances ease of support on the honeycomb structure with sufficient contact surface area for soot combustion. This parameter optimization ensures both manufacturability and high soot combustion productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary size selection and control of catalyst particles before support, ensuring they fall within the optimal diameter range. This preliminary action prevents the formation of oversized particles that would reduce contact points, while maintaining ease of support through controlled particle characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If soot accumulates on cell walls, then the catalyst supporting honeycomb captures soot, but forced regeneration using high temperature exhaust gases is required frequently, lowering fuel economy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoot accumulation amountVSAvoidfuel economy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the catalyst particle diameter parameter to 0.05 to 1.00 μm (preferably 0.1 to 0.5 μm), which increases contact points with soot particles and enhances soot combustion efficiency. This parameter optimization reduces soot accumulation on cell walls and decreases the frequency of forced regeneration, thereby improving fuel economy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs readily available oxide catalysts (such as cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, or their mixed oxides) with optimized particle sizes that provide effective soot combustion without requiring expensive complex structures. This approach maintains fuel economy by reducing the need for frequent high-temperature regeneration operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design improves soot combustion efficiency, reduces soot accumulation, and extends the time between forced regenerations, maintaining fuel economy by increasing contact points between soot and catalyst, and providing superior heat resistance and mechanical characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

soot combustion behavior by active oxygen induced by an oxide catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

heating the honeycomb structured body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2008712B1Catalyst supporting honeycomb
Publication Date: 2011.01.26 IBIDEN CO LTD
  • EP2008712B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2008712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2008712B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention aims to provide a catalyst supporting honeycomb which can improve the continuous regeneration performance of soot and economically keep the amount of soot that accumulates with time on the cell walls small. The catalyst supporting honeycomb of the present invention includes a pillar-shaped honeycomb structured body having a plurality of cells formed in parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction with a cell wall interposed therebetween; and catalyst particles supported on the honeycomb structured body, the plurality of cells comprising a set of large-volume cells in which either end of each of the cells is sealed, and a set of small-volume cells in which the other end of each of the cells is sealed, the total area of the set of large-volume cells in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction being larger than the total area of the set of small-volume cells in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the catalyst particles being configured by an oxide catalyst having an average particle diameter of 0.05 µm to 1.00 µm.