Two-Layer Catalyst Structure for Exhaust Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional exhaust gas purification systems for straddled vehicles face challenges in achieving both high peel resistance and purification performance, especially under severe vibratory conditions due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients between metallic supports and catalyst layers.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a stainless steel support with a high ceria content layer and a low ceria content layer, where the high ceria content layer is between the low ceria content layer and the stainless steel support, enhancing adhesiveness and containing noble metals for balanced oxidation and reduction reactions, and a ceria-zirconia solid solution doped with rare earth elements to improve adhesion and prevent sintering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metallic support with a catalyst layer is used, then purification performance is achieved, but the catalyst layer is likely to be peeled off due to thermal expansion differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification performanceVSAvoidpeel resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The catalyst layer is divided into two distinct layers: a first catalyst layer containing a three-way catalyst and a second catalyst layer containing a noble metal catalyst. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions while improving overall adhesion to the metallic support, thereby resolving the contradiction between purification performance and peel resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining two different catalyst layers with distinct compositions and functions. The first layer uses a three-way catalyst for comprehensive purification, while the second layer uses a noble metal catalyst for enhanced adhesion and specific catalytic activities, achieving both high peel resistance and purification performance through material composition optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the catalyst layer is made thick to improve purification performance, then purification efficiency increases, but peel resistance decreases due to thermal expansion stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification performanceVSAvoidpeel resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single thick catalyst layer, the invention segments the catalytic function into two thinner layers. The first layer provides the primary purification function, while the second layer enhances adhesion. This segmentation reduces thermal expansion stress within each layer while maintaining overall purification efficiency, resolving the contradiction between purification performance and peel resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single catalyst layer is used to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but both peel resistance and purification performance cannot be achieved at a high level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst layer structureVSAvoidboth peel resistance and purification performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by giving each catalyst layer distinct compositions and functions tailored to specific requirements. The first layer is optimized for comprehensive pollutant purification using a three-way catalyst, while the second layer is optimized for adhesion and specific catalytic activities using a noble metal catalyst. This localized optimization allows both peel resistance and purification performance to be achieved at high levels without excessive complexity.

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

This configuration significantly enhances both peel resistance and purification performance by promoting balanced reactions and improving adhesiveness, thereby preventing catalyst peeling and ensuring effective exhaust gas purification.

Implementation Method 1

a first ceria content layer containing ceria and at least one type of noble metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, and Os; and a second layer containing at least one type of noble metal selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, and Os, the second layer having a ceria content lower than a ceria content in the high ceria content layer or having a ceria content of 0 wt%, the first ceria content layer being provided between the second layer and the stainless steel support so as to be in contact with the second layer and the stainless steel support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a ceria-zirconia solid solution doped with rare earth elements to improve adhesion and prevent sintering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering prevention: Sintering

Implementation Method 3

a first ceria content layer containing ceria and at least one type of noble metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, and Os

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

a second layer containing at least one type of noble metal selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, and Os

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP3323498B1Exhaust gas purification system and straddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3323498B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3323498B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3323498B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present teaching is to achieve both a peel resistance and purification performance at a higher level. An exhaust gas purification system of a gasoline-fueled engine includes: a stainless steel support made of stainless steel; a high ceria content layer containing ceria and at least one type of noble metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, and Os; and a low ceria content layer containing ceria and at least one type of noble metal selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, and Os, the low ceria content layer having a ceria content lower than a ceria content in the high ceria content layer, the high ceria content layer being provided between the low ceria content layer and the stainless steel support so as to be in contact with the low ceria content layer and the stainless steel support.