MgO-Coated V2O5 SCR Catalyst Resists Alkali Poisoning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts used for NOx emission reduction in flue gas are deactivated by alkali metals like potassium, leading to reduced catalytic activity and selectivity, especially when treating biomass flue gas, causing fouling and operational challenges in high-dust SCR installations.

Innovation Solution

A vanadium-based SCR catalyst with a MgO coating that covers at least 98% of the catalytically active sites, preventing alkali metal deactivation by minimizing acid-base interactions and allowing NH3 and NOx to reach the active sites while retaining alkali atoms, thereby maintaining catalytic activity and extending catalyst lifetime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vanadium-based SCR catalyst is used for NOx reduction, then catalytic activity for NOx conversion is improved, but the catalyst is deactivated by alkali metals like potassium through acid-base interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activity for NOx conversionVSAvoidresistance to alkali metal deactivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coating layer comprising metal oxides (such as MgO, CaO, BaO, SrO, or lanthanide oxides) is applied as an intermediary between the alkali metal-containing flue gas and the vanadium-based catalytic active sites. This coating layer acts as a barrier that prevents direct acid-base interactions between alkali metals and the catalyst surface, while still allowing NH3 and NOx to reach the active sites for catalytic conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A thin film coating layer is applied over the catalytic active sites of the vanadium-based SCR catalyst. This thin film serves as a protective shell that resists alkali metal deposition and prevents deactivation, while maintaining gas permeability to allow the SCR reaction to proceed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the catalyst surface is coated with MgO to prevent alkali metal deactivation, then resistance to alkali poisoning is improved, but the coverage of catalytically active sites is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to alkali poisoningVSAvoidcatalytic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating layer is applied selectively and locally on the catalyst surface, providing protection where alkali metal deactivation occurs most severely while leaving other areas accessible for catalytic activity. The coating thickness and distribution are optimized to balance protection and activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coating layer is designed with porous characteristics that allow gaseous reactants (NH3 and NOx) to diffuse through to the catalytic active sites beneath the coating. The porosity ensures that while the coating provides alkali metal barrier protection, it does not block the necessary gas transport for catalytic reactions to occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 MgO-coated catalyst exhibits significantly reduced alkali deactivation rates and maintains up to 80% of its original activity even when exposed to potassium nanoparticles, offering improved resistance to alkali poisoning without the need for additional reactants and suitable for high-dust SCR installations.

Implementation Method 1

ammonia adsorbs onto the catalyst surface whereupon NO reacts from the gas phase or as weakly adsorbed species

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

preventing alkali metal deactivation by minimizing acid-base interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcid-base interactions:

Implementation Method 3

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) by ammonia (NH3) is a widely used industrial process for reducing NOx emission from flue gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

NOx is catalytically reduced to N2 in the presence of oxygen with ammonia being added as the reducing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP2338591B1Deactivation-resistant mgo / v2o5-(mo3 or wo3) /tio2 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOX
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 UMICORE AG & CO KG
  • EP2338591B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2338591B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2338591B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOX in alkali metal containing flue gas using ammonia as reductant, the catalyst comprising a surface with catalytically active sites, wherein the surface is at least partly coated with a coating comprising at least one metal oxide. In another aspect the present invention relates to the use of said catalyst and to a method of producing said catalyst. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of treating an catalyst for conferring thereon an improved resistance to alkali poisoning.