Sorbent-Catalyst System for NO Oxidation Beyond Equilibrium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aftertreatment systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently converting nitrogen monoxide (NO) into nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to equilibrium limitations in catalytic reactions, which restrict conversion efficiency and resilience to engine exhaust variations.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sorbent with a catalyst in a catalytic system, where the sorbent selectively adsorbs NO2 and is periodically or continuously regenerated, allowing for enhanced NO oxidation beyond equilibrium limits by suppressing reverse reactions and maintaining high conversion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a catalyst is used to convert NO to NO2, then the reaction rate is improved, but the conversion is limited by equilibrium constraints
Solution Approach 1:
A sorbent material is introduced as an intermediary component that selectively adsorbs NO2 from the exhaust gas. This removes the product (NO2) from the reaction equilibrium, allowing the catalyst to continuously convert NO to NO2 without being constrained by equilibrium limitations, thereby achieving conversions exceeding 90%
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and concentration parameters of NO2 by selectively adsorbing it onto the sorbent material. This alters the effective concentration of NO2 in the gas phase, shifting the reaction equilibrium toward product formation and enabling sustained high conversion rates
2Reliability
If the catalyst chamber size is increased to improve conversion, then conversion efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines a catalyst and a sorbent material into a composite aftertreatment system. The catalyst promotes the NO to NO2 conversion while the sorbent selectively adsorbs NO2, creating a synergistic effect that achieves high conversion efficiency in a compact configuration without requiring larger catalyst chambers
3Reliability
If more catalyst is used to surpass equilibrium limitations, then conversion efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using additional catalyst, the system employs a sorbent material as an intermediary to selectively remove NO2 from the equilibrium mixture. This allows the existing catalyst to operate more effectively by preventing the reverse reaction, achieving high conversion efficiency without increasing catalyst quantity
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 approach surpasses equilibrium limitations, achieving higher NO conversions at high temperatures, increased system robustness against engine state changes, and reduced catalyst requirements, leading to more efficient and cost-effective aftertreatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
the sorbent selectively adsorbs NO2
Implementation Method 2
reacting NO with a stoichiometric amount of oxygen gas (O2), the reacting taking place in the presence of a sorbent and a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A method for nitrogen monoxide (NO) oxidation in catalytic systems is disclosed. The method includes receiving NO-containing exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine system, reacting NO with a stoichiometric amount of oxygen gas (O2), the reacting taking place in the presence of a sorbent and a catalyst, and recovering an amount of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) surpassing the equilibrium limitation of the NO oxidation reaction.