Abstract: The present invention provides a regenerable catalyst composition suitable for entrapping SOx. The composition of the invention comprises a copper oxide having the formula (Cu/(A oxide) where A oxide is SiO2, Zr—SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2—Al2O3, ZrO2 and In2O3 or mixtures thereof. Copper loading may vary from about 10 to 60 mol % and is preferably about 25 mol %. The catalyst composition adsorbs SOx as metal sulfate under lean conditions and desorbs accumulated SOx as SO2 under rich conditions. Such reversible SOx trap are able to operate under conventional NOx trap operating conditions to prevent sulfur poisoning of the NOx trap. Furthermore, these traps may be regenerated under rich conditions at 300-450° C. In another embodiment of the present invention, an irreversible SOx trap capable of collecting SOx under lean conditions is provided. The traps of this embodiment include praseodymia, zirconia-praseodymia and mixed manganese-yttria and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.

Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an enhanced NH3 adsorbing automotive exhaust composition including a catalyst composition suitable for use in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and an acidified support composition for enhancing NH3 adsorption capacity of the automotive exhaust composition is disclosed.

Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.

Abstract: A method for forming thin edible pieces uses two continuous belts that cooperate to form a fill cavity. An edible mass, such as chocolate, is flowed into the fill cavity where it forms an edible blank which is transported on a belt path with the two belts moving in tandem. After the edible blank is released from the first or second continuous belt, a three-dimensional shape may be imparted to the edible blank at a forming station using one or more stamping dies or a forming drum. Using the techniques and apparatus described herein, novel edible products, and particularly novel chocolate products, can be made having shape characteristics that cannot be obtained using known molding or forming techniques.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for continuously molding chocolate are disclosed, including a method and apparatus for removing flash from chocolate pieces and products (both molded and otherwise); and a manifold for continuously providing liquid chocolate to a continuous mold and directing excess liquid chocolate away.

Abstract: An alumina-based lean NOx trap system for use in a lean burn engine such as a diesel engine is provided which includes at least one alumina-based lean NOx trap comprising a catalyst, an alumina NOx absorbent material, and optionally, from 0 to about 4 wt % of an alkaline earth metal oxide. The system preferably includes at least a first alumina-based lean NOx trap, and a second lean NOx trap which is positioned downstream from the first lean NOx trap in an engine exhaust. The second lean NOx trap may comprise an alumina-based trap or a conventional lean NOx trap. The lean NOx trap system converts at least a portion of NOx contained in the exhaust gas to N2 at a temperature between about 150° C. to about 500° C. The alumina-based lean NOx trap system also undergoes efficient desulphurization and maintains its activity with extended use.

Abstract: An alumina-based lean NOx trap system for use in a HCCI engine exhaust is provided which includes at least one alumina-based lean NOx trap comprising a catalyst, an alumina NOx absorbent material, and optionally, from 0 to about 4 wt % of an alkaline earth metal oxide; and a conventional three-way catalyst. The lean NOx trap system substantially oxidizes HC and CO and converts at least a portion of NOx contained in the exhaust gas to N2 at a temperature between about 150° C. to about 250° C. in HCCI mode. The system also effectively removes HC, CO and NOx at high temperature when the engine is in SI mode (stoichiometric conditions). The alumina-based lean NOx trap in the system also undergoes efficient desulphurization and maintains its activity with extended use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coarsening resistant automotive exhaust catalyst composition. The composition of the invention comprises a metal or metal-containing compound and a component having alkali metal or an alkaline-earth metal ions bonded to a conjugate base oxide of an inorganic acid. The inorganic acid for which the base oxide is conjugate has a Ka such that the automotive exhaust catalyst composition resists phase transitions that reduce surface area. The present invention also provides a NOx trap which incorporates the exhaust catalyst composition of the invention. Finally, a method of inhibiting coarsening in automotive exhaust catalyst is also provided.

Abstract: A lean NOx trap composition. The lean NOx trap composition utilizes ruthenium in place of higher cost metals such as platinum. The lean NOx trap composition provides high NOx storage efficiency and high NOx conversion efficiency when incorporated in a lean NOx trap. A method of removing harmful gases using the lean NOx trap composition is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a regenerable catalyst composition suitable for entrapping SOx. The composition of the invention comprises a copper oxide having the formula (Cu/(A oxide) where A oxide is SiO2, Zr—SiO2, A12O3, TiO2—Al2O3, ZrO2 and In2O3 or mixtures thereof. Copper loading may vary from about 10 to 60 mol % and is preferably about 25 mol %. The catalyst composition adsorbs SOx as metal sulfate under lean conditions and desorbs accumulated SOx as SO2 under rich conditions. Such reversible SOx trap are able to operate under conventional NOx trap operating conditions to prevent sulfur poisoning of the NOx trap. Furthermore, these traps may be regenerated under rich conditions at 300-450° C. In another embodiment of the present invention, an irreversible SOx trap capable of collecting SOx under lean conditions is provided. The traps of this embodiment include praseodymia, zirconia-praseodymia and mixed manganese-yttria and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention involves an exhaust gas catalyst and method of manufacturing same. The invention provides for a cost-effective material which lowers the cold-start emissions from the exhaust of vehicles. The invention is a passive system which accelerates the light-off temperature of catalyst in a cost-effective fashion. The invention includes a method of manufacturing an exhaust gas catalyst capable of lowering cold-start emissions including the steps of providing an oxide mixture having praseodymium and cerium, doping about 0-10% weight zirconium and about 0-10% weight yttrium to the oxide mixture, adding about 0-2% weight metal including palladium, platinum, or rhodium to the oxide mixture, mixing gamma aluminum to the oxide mixture for washcoating and washcoating the oxide mixture onto a monolithic substrate.

Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.

Abstract: A system is described for improving engine and vehicle performance by considering the effects of exhaust conditions on catalyst particle growth. Specifically, engine operation is adjusted to reduce operating in such conditions, and a diagnostic routine is described for determining the effects of any operation that can cause such particle growth. Further, routines are described for controlling various vehicle conditions, such as deceleration fuel shut-off, to reduce effects of the particle growth on emission performance.