Abstract: A layered three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides is disclosed. Engine exhaust treatment system and methods of using the same are also provided. In one or more embodiments, the catalyst supported on a carrier has three layers, where at least two of the layers are zoned to have an oxygen storage component being present in an upstream zone in an amount that is less than the oxygen storage component present in the downstream zone.

Abstract: Provided is an emissions treatment system for an exhaust stream, having a NOx storage reduction (NSR) catalyst with a NOx sorbent at a concentration of at least 0.1 g/in3 and a platinum group metal component dispersed on a refractory metal oxide support; and, an SCR catalyst disposed downstream of the NSR catalyst. The emissions treatment system is advantageously used for the treatment of exhaust streams from diesel engines and lean burn gasoline engines.

Abstract: Oxidation catalyst compositions for treating diesel exhaust include ceria and, optionally, alumina, each having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g, and a zeolite, e.g., Beta zeolite. Optionally, platinum may be included in the catalytic material, preferably in amounts which are sufficient to promote some gas-phase oxidation of carbon monoxide (“CO”) and hydrocarbons (“HC”) but which are limited to preclude excessive oxidation of SO2 to SO3. Alternatively, palladium in any desired amount may be included in the catalytic material. The zeolite is optionally doped, e.g., ion-exchanged, with one or more of hydrogen, a platinum group metal or other catalytic metals. The catalyst compositions may be used in a method to treat diesel engine exhaust by contacting the hot exhaust with the catalyst composition to promote the oxidation of gas-phase CO and HC and of the volatile organic fraction component of particulates in the exhaust.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyzed soot filter formed on a wall flow substrate having internal walls coated with catalyst compositions. The soot filter maintains a homogeneous flow of the exhaust gases through the internal walls of the substrate along the length of the filter due to the coating design. Both the efficiency and the durability of the catalytic function are increased over conventionally designed catalyzed soot filters. The catalyzed soot filter provides an integrated function for simultaneously treating the gaseous components of the exhaust (e.g., CO and HC) and the particulate matter deposited in the filter.

Abstract: Oxidation catalyst compositions for treating diesel exhaust include ceria and, optionally, alumina, each having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g, and a zeolite, e.g., Beta zeolite. Optionally, platinum may be included in the catalytic material, preferably in amounts which are sufficient to promote some gas-phase oxidation of carbon monoxide (“CO”) and hydrocarbons (“HC”) but which are limited to preclude excessive oxidation of SO2 to SO3. Alternatively, palladium in any desired amount may be included in the catalytic material. The zeolite is optionally doped, e.g., ion-exchanged, with one or more of hydrogen, a platinum group metal or other catalytic metals. The catalyst compositions may be used in a method to treat diesel engine exhaust by contacting the hot exhaust with the catalyst composition to promote the oxidation of gas-phase CO and HC and of the volatile organic fraction component of particulates in the exhaust.

Abstract: The invention provides low temperature NO2 trap compositions useful for adsorbing NO2 from a gas stream at lower temperatures, and releasing the NO2 at higher temperatures. The low temperature trap compositions are useful for incorporation into a diesel exhaust system equipped with a soot filter. The NO2 from the diesel exhaust can be stored when the exhaust temperature is cool, e.g., during startup and at times of low load, and released when the exhaust is at higher temperatures. The released NO2 serves as an effective oxidant for the combustion of soot deposited on the soot filter. These temperatures are significantly lower than those required for the combustion of soot using O2 as an oxidant. The methods of the invention thereby provide a method for regenerating the soot filter within operating temperature ranges typical of diesel engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: Provided is an emissions treatment system for an exhaust stream, having a NOx storage reduction (NSR) catalyst with a NOx sorbent at a concentration of at least 0.1 g/in3 and a platinum group metal component dispersed on a refractory metal oxide support; and, an SCR catalyst disposed downstream of the NSR catalyst. The emissions treatment system is advantageously used for the treatment of exhaust streams from diesel engines and lean burn gasoline engines.

Abstract: A catalyst system combining a low temperature conversion catalyst (LTC), a hydrocarbon adsorbent and, optionally, a three-way catalyst (TWC), is designed to achieve an ultra low vehicle emission standard for internal combustion engine powered vehicles, while never exposing the low temperature conversion catalyst to a temperature in excess of about 550° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layered catalyst composite of the type generally referred to as a three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides. The structure of the layered catalyst composite of the present invention is designed wherein there are three layers in conjunction with a carrier: a first layer deposited on the carrier and comprising a high surface area refractory metal oxide; a second layer deposited on the first layer and comprising palladium and/or platinum deposited on a high surface area refractory metal oxide, and having substantially no oxygen storage components; and a third layer deposited on the second layer and comprising platinum and/or rhodium as well as an oxygen storage component, deposited on a high surface area refractory metal oxide.

Abstract: A catalytic trap disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine which is operated with periodic alternations between lean and stoichiometric or rich conditions, for abatement of NOx in an exhaust gas stream which is generated by the engine. The trap comprises a catalytic trap material and a refractory carrier member on which the catalytic trap material is disposed. The catalytic trap material comprises: (i) a refractory metal oxide support; (ii) a catalytic component effective for promoting the reduction of NOx under stoichiometric or rich conditions; and (iii) a NOx sorbent effective for adsorbing the NOx under lean conditions and desorbing and reducing the NOx to nitrogen under stoichiometric or rich conditions. The NOx sorbent comprises a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of one or alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides and mixtures of one or more alkali metal oxides and alkaline earth metal oxides.

Abstract: An article, apparatus and method for simulating poisoning and deactivating catalysts with catalyst poison compounds at least one catalyst poison compound selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising phosphorous, a compound comprising zinc compound and a compound comprising phosphorous and zinc.

Abstract: The invention provides low temperature NO2 trap compositions useful for adsorbing NO2 from a gas stream at lower temperatures, and releasing the NO2 at higher temperatures. The low temperature trap compositions are useful for incorporation into a diesel exhaust system equipped with a soot filter. The NO2 from the diesel exhaust can be stored when the exhaust temperature is cool, e.g., during startup and at times of low load, and released when the exhaust is at higher temperatures. The released NO2 serves as an effective oxidant for the combustion of soot deposited on the soot filter. These temperatures are significantly lower than those required for the combustion of soot using O2 as an oxidant. The methods of the invention thereby provide a method for regenerating the soot filter within operating temperature ranges typical of diesel engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layered catalyst composite of the type generally referred to as a three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides. The structure of the layered catalyst composite of the present invention is designed wherein there are three layers in conjunction with a carrier: a first layer deposited on the carrier and comprising a high surface area refractory metal oxide; a second layer deposited on the first layer and comprising palladium and/or platinum deposited on a high surface area refractory metal oxide, and having substantially no oxygen storage components; and a third layer deposited on the second layer and comprising platinum and/or rhodium as well as an oxygen storage component, deposited on a high surface area refractory metal oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vehicle emissions control are disclosed. More particularly, an apparatus and method for insuring that the temperature of a vehicle's exhaust gas stream entering the underfloor catalytic converter during engine operation does not exceed the temperature at which the capability of the multi-functional catalyst in the converter to absorb NOx starts to fall off. A first temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet leading from the exhaust manifold of the engine and a second temperature sensor is provided in the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter contains a multi-functional catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst and a NOx trap as well as a NOx sensor at its outlet for sensing when NOx breakthrough is occurring. The sensors transmit their readings to a controller which transmits signal to a proportional valve located in the exhaust outlet downstream of the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A catalytic trap disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine which is operated with periodic alternations between lean and stoichiometric or rich conditions, for abatement of NOx in an exhaust gas stream which is generated by the engine. The trap comprises a catalytic trap material and a refractory carrier member on which the catalytic trap material is disposed. The catalytic trap material comprises: (i) a refractory metal oxide support; (ii) a catalytic component effective for promoting the reduction of NOx under stoichiometric or rich conditions; and (iii) a NOx sorbent effective for adsorbing the NOx under lean conditions and desorbing and reducing the NOx to nitrogen under stoichiometric or rich conditions. The NOx sorbent comprises a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of one or alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides and mixtures of one or more alkali metal oxides and alkaline earth metal oxides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article comprising a catalyst composition and a method useful for the removal of NOx and SOx contaminants from a gaseous stream, especially gaseous streams containing sulfur oxide contaminants. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with catalysts of the type generally referred to as “close coupled catalysts” which are designed to reduce pollutants in engine exhaust emissions during engine cold start conditions. The article comprises a lean burn gasoline engine having an exhaust outlet, an upstream section having a close coupled catalyst composite in communication with the exhaust outlet, and a downstream section. The upstream close coupled catalyst composite comprises a first support; a first platinum group component; and a SOx sorbent component selected from the group consisting of oxides and mixed oxides of barium, lanthanum, magnesium, manganese, neodymium, praseodymium, and strontium.

Abstract: A catalytic trap (10, 110) effective for conversion of NOx in an exhaust gas stream is inert to high-temperature reaction with basic oxygenated compounds of lithium, sodium or potassium. The catalytic trap may be substantially free of silica components and may include a catalytic trap material (20, 120) which contains a refractory metal oxide support, e.g., alumina, having dispersed thereon a catalytic component, such as a platinum group metal catalytic component, and a NOx sorbent comprised of one or more of the basic oxygenated compounds. The catalytic trap material is coated onto a suitable carrier member (12, 112), such as one made from stainless steel, titanium, alumina, titania, zirconia or silica-leached cordierite.

Abstract: A method for reduction of NOx in a lean gaseous stream includes passing the gaseous stream at a temperature within the NOx sorbing temperature range through a catalyzed trap member having an oxidation catalyst intimately combined with a sorbent material. The sorbed NOx is periodically removed by introducing a combustible component into the gaseous stream and oxidizing it on the trap member to thermally desorb the NOx. The amount of combustible component introduced is limited to maintain the gaseous stream bulk composition lean and to avoid increasing the bulk temperature of the gaseous stream to a temperature which is too high for effective lean NOx abatement treatment. A suitable NOx abatement catalyst is used to reduce the desorbed NOx. Sorbing (trapping) and desorbing periods are alternated, usually in response to the temperature of the gaseous stream, and an apparatus to carry out the process is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vehicle emissions control. More particularly, an apparatus and method for insuring that the temperature of a vehicle's exhaust gas stream entering the underfloor catalytic converter during engine operation does not exceed the temperature at which the capability of the multi-functional catalyst in the converter to absorb NOx starts to fall off. A first temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet leading from the exhaust manifold of the engine and a second temperature sensor is provided in the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter contains a multi-functional catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst and a NOx trap as well as a NOx sensor at its outlet for sensing when NOx breakthrough is occurring. The sensors transmit their readings to a controller which transmits signals to a proportional valve located in the exhaust outlet downstream of the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A catalytic trap (10) for the treatment of exhaust generated by lean-burn or partial lean-burn engines is resistant to deactivation by high temperature, lean operating conditions aging. The catalytic trap (10 or 10′) comprises a carrier member (12 or 12/12′) on which is coated a catalytic trap material (20), optionally in discrete layers (20a, 20b) comprising a NOx sorbent and a refractory metal oxide support on which is dispersed a palladium catalytic component in an amount of at least 25 g/ft3 Pd up to about 300 g/ft3 Pd. A platinum and/or a rhodium catalytic component may also be present. The NOx sorbent may be one or more basic oxygenated compounds of an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal, e.g., of cesium and/or barium. A method of making includes applying the NOx sorbent by a post-dipping technique.