Dual-Layer SCR Catalyst for NOx Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vanadium SCR catalysts face a challenge in achieving simultaneous high low-temperature activity and high-temperature selectivity, with improvements in one aspect often leading to deficits in the other, which is critical for effectively reducing nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases from lean-burn internal combustion engines.

Innovation Solution

A dual-layer SCR catalyst system comprising layers A and B, where layer A contains vanadium pentoxide, tungsten trioxide, and optional silicon dioxide, and layer B contains vanadium pentoxide, tungsten trioxide, and silicon dioxide, with specific weight percentage ratios and oxidic forms optimized for enhanced activity and selectivity across varying temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the vanadium content is increased to improve low-temperature activity, then the low-temperature nitrogen oxide conversion is enhanced, but the high-temperature selectivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature activityVSAvoidhigh-temperature selectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst is divided into two distinct layers: Layer A (front layer) with higher vanadium content optimized for low-temperature activity, and Layer B (rear layer) with lower vanadium content and higher tungsten/silicon content optimized for high-temperature selectivity. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different temperature ranges, resolving the contradiction between low-temperature activity and high-temperature selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the catalyst have different compositions tailored to local requirements. The front layer has higher vanadium concentration for low-temperature effectiveness, while the rear layer has lower vanadium and higher tungsten/silicon for high-temperature selectivity. This local quality differentiation enables the catalyst to perform optimally across the entire temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the catalyst composition is optimized for high-temperature selectivity, then the high-temperature nitrogen oxide conversion is improved, but the low-temperature activity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-temperature selectivityVSAvoidlow-temperature activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst is divided into two distinct layers: Layer A (front layer) with higher vanadium content optimized for low-temperature activity, and Layer B (rear layer) with lower vanadium content and higher tungsten/silicon content optimized for high-temperature selectivity. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different temperature ranges, resolving the contradiction between low-temperature activity and high-temperature selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single-layer catalyst design is used to simplify the structure, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the performance across varying temperatures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst structureVSAvoidtemperature range performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst is divided into two distinct layers: Layer A (front layer) with higher vanadium content optimized for low-temperature activity, and Layer B (rear layer) with lower vanadium content and higher tungsten/silicon content optimized for high-temperature selectivity. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in different temperature ranges, resolving the contradiction between low-temperature activity and high-temperature selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst uses a composite structure with two layers having different material compositions. Layer A contains higher vanadium oxide content for low-temperature activity, while Layer B contains lower vanadium oxide and higher tungsten oxide and silicon dioxide for high-temperature selectivity. This composite material approach enables the catalyst to achieve broad temperature range performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The dual-layer catalyst system achieves improved nitrogen oxide conversion rates at both low and high temperatures, addressing the limitations of previous vanadium SCR catalysts by maintaining high selectivity and activity across a broader temperature range.

Implementation Method 1

A dual-layer SCR catalyst system comprising layers A and B, where layer A contains vanadium pentoxide, tungsten trioxide, and optional silicon dioxide, and layer B contains vanadium pentoxide, tungsten trioxide, and silicon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

carbon monoxide (CO), gaseous hydrocarbons (HC) and, if applicable, organic agglomerates adhering to the soot particles (so-called "Volatile Organic Fraction" VOF) can be oxidatively removed using oxidation catalysts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS10022704B2SCR catalyst
Publication Date: 2018.07.17 UMICORE AG & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a catalyst comprising at least two catalytically active layers, A and B, wherein A contains a carrier oxide and components A1 and A2, and B contains a carrier oxide and components B1, B2, and B3, wherein A1, A2, and B1 to B3 are defined as disclosed in claim 1. The proportion of component A1 in layer A is thereby greater than the proportion of component B1 in layer B, wherein the proportion of layer A with respect to the total weight of layers A and B, is greater than the proportion of layer B. The invention further relates to a method for reducing nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases of lean-burn internal combustion engines and to an exhaust gas cleaning system.