Low Phosphorus Chabazite Catalyst for Diesel SCR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current small pore molecular sieves used in SCR processes for diesel engine exhaust gas treatment lack sufficient hydrothermal stability and catalytic activity, particularly when compared to their phosphorus-containing counterparts like SAPO-34.

Innovation Solution

A novel low-phosphorus molecular sieve with a CHA framework, containing 1.0 to 5.0 mole percent phosphorus, is developed, where phosphorus is heterogeneously distributed within the framework, enhancing hydrothermal stability and catalytic performance by maintaining a silica-to-alumina ratio of at least 10, and optionally incorporating non-aluminum base metals like copper for improved NOx reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If phosphorus is added to molecular sieve framework to improve catalytic activity, then catalytic performance improves, but hydrothermal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidhydrothermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating heterogeneous distribution of phosphorus within the molecular sieve framework, concentrating phosphorus in specific regions rather than uniform distribution. This localized phosphorus placement provides catalytic activity at specific sites while maintaining overall framework stability, resolving the contradiction between catalytic performance and hydrothermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the phosphorus content parameter to a specific range (1.0-5.0 mole percent) and controls the silica-to-alumina ratio (at least 10). By optimizing these compositional parameters, the patent achieves both improved catalytic activity and maintained hydrothermal stability, transforming the trade-off relationship into a balanced solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If phosphorus content is increased to match SAPO-34 levels, then catalytic activity improves, but framework stability and hydrothermal resistance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx reduction efficiencyVSAvoidframework stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by incorporating only 1.0-5.0 mole percent phosphorus, which is sufficient to achieve the desired catalytic activity for NOx reduction but insufficient to cause the framework instability and poor hydrothermal stability associated with high phosphorus content materials like SAPO-34. This partial phosphorus incorporation achieves the necessary catalytic performance without the detrimental effects of excessive phosphorus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite molecular sieve material combining silica, alumina, and controlled amounts of phosphorus in a CHA framework structure. This composite composition leverages the stability of the silicoaluminosilicate framework while incorporating just enough phosphorus to provide catalytic activity, achieving a balance between framework stability and catalytic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If phosphorus is uniformly distributed throughout the framework, then catalytic sites are maximized, but hydrothermal stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic sites availabilityVSAvoidhydrothermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly applies local quality by specifying heterogeneous distribution of phosphorus within the molecular sieve framework. Phosphorus is concentrated in discrete regions or clusters rather than uniformly distributed, creating localized catalytic active sites while preserving the overall framework integrity and hydrothermal stability. This non-uniform distribution strategy resolves the contradiction between maximizing catalytic sites and maintaining framework stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 novel molecular sieve demonstrates improved hydrothermal stability and catalytic performance, achieving comparable or superior NOx reduction efficiency to existing materials, with phosphorus clusters in discrete regions optimizing the material's catalytic activity and stability.

Implementation Method 1

The reductant is absorbed onto a catalyst and the NOx reduction reaction takes place as the gases pass through or over the catalyzed substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), involves the conversion of NOx in the presence of a catalyst and with the aid of a reducing agent into elemental nitrogen (N2) and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2736637B1Low phosphorus chabazites
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
  • EP2736637B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2736637B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP2736637B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A catalyst composition is provided having a CHA crystal structure; about 0.5 to about 5.0 mol % phosphorus; and SiO2 and Al2O3 in a mole ratio of about 5 to about 40. The catalyst composition is capable of NOx conversion at elevated temperatures. A catalytically active washcoat includes such catalyst compositions and one or more promoters or stabilizers, and may be applied to a monolith substrate to produce a catalytically active article. Methods of reducing NOx employing the catalyst compositions are also provided.