Grantee Research Project Results
Innovative Catalytic NOx Control System for Reducing Mobile Source Cold Start Emissions
EPA Contract Number: 68D99065Title: Innovative Catalytic NOx Control System for Reducing Mobile Source Cold Start Emissions
Investigators: Roychoudhury, Subir
Small Business: Precision Combustion, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1999 through March 1, 2000
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
This Phase I effort proposes to develop a rapid thermal response, low-temperature lightoff automotive catalytic converter through the development of a high specific surface area (SSA) coating for short channel length, high cell density (SCL-HCD) catalytic elements. Engine design and performance needs, coupled with temperature limitation of materials, are requiring that fast response converters be further removed from the engine (e.g., to toe-board or even under-floor positions). This requires durable low lightoff temperature catalysts, in addition to low thermal mass and small size design constraints, to light off fast enough to meet the emission goals. Because lightoff temperature is kinetically controlled and is directly proportional to the catalyst surface area, lower lightoff temperatures can be obtained by developing a higher SSA coating (washcoat) for these substrates. This also will result in additional reduction in precious metal usage and a potential lowering of exhaust backpressure. Achievement of a high SSA automotive washcoat on the short channel geometry should result in a lightoff temperature reduction of as much as 100 C. This would substantially broaden the conceivable use of SCL-HCD converters while offering broader potential for low-cost ultra-low emissions (ULEV) and super ultra-low emissions (SULEV) performance.The entry market for high SSA technology will be toe-board and under-floor automotive converters. It is expected that the first automotive tests will be driven by SULEV interests. Promising market entry opportunities are expected due to the converter's compact size and expected cost advantage; it will be constructed of a platinum group metal (likely palladium) and will include savings due to size and weight savings. The advantages offered by this technology provide the potential for it to become the primary substrate/coatings technology for automotive use.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, air emissions, engineering, EPA., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, air toxics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Chemistry, HAPS, Technology for Sustainable Environment, mobile sources, New/Innovative technologies, Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Incineration/Combustion, Nitrogen Oxides, automotive coating, Nox, catalyst composition, catalytic oxidation, vehicle emissions, motor vehicle exhaust, novel catalyst systems, automobile combustion, automotive combustion, automotive exhaust, catalysts, auto emissions, combustion, combustion engines, nitrogen oxides (Nox), exhaust, air emissions, coatingsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.