Abstract: Provided are a water-soluble Pd(II) complex, a synthesis method thereof and use thereof as a catalytic precursor. The complex has a chemical name, ammonium dinitrooxalato palladium (II), and a molecular formula of (NH4)2[Pd(NO2)2(C2O4)]·nH2O (n is the number of crystal water). The Pd(II) complex is synthesized by using PdCl2 or [Pd(NH3)2Cl2] as a starting material which is firstly converted into [Pd(NH3)4]Cl2 in ammonium hydroxide, followed by a chemical reaction between [Pd(NH3)4]Cl2 and excessive NaNO2 to produce trans-[Pd(NH3)2(NO2)2] via ligand substitution mechanism, and finally dissolving trans-[Pd(NH3)2(NO2)2] in an aqueous solution of oxalic acid leads to the formation of the target product (NH4)2[Pd(NO2)2(C2O4)]·2H2O. The complex does not contain chlorine and other elements that are harmful to a catalyst, is readily soluble in water and has a low thermal decomposition temperature.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust aftertreatment system comprises an LNT within an exhaust line. A low thermal mass DPF and a low thermal mass fuel reformer are configured within the exhaust line upstream from the LNT. A thermal mass is configured downstream from the fuel reformer and the DPF, but upstream from the LNT. For LNT denitration, the fuel reformer is rapidly heated and then used to catalyze steam reforming. The DPF is also rapidly heat each time the fuel reformer is heated and the LNT denitrated. The system operates to regenerate the DPF each time the LNT is denitrated. Preferably, a second DPF is provided to augment the performance of the first DPF. Preferably, the first DPF is small and of the flow through type whereas the second DPF is much larger and of the wall flow filter type. The second DPF can be used as the thermal mass.

Abstract: The exhaust from a diesel-fueled internal combustion engine is treated by a lean NOX trap. The maximum temperature used for desulfating the lean NOX trap is kept relatively lower during early life and progressively increased as the trap ages. Designing for adequate late life performance entails excess capacity during early life. The method utilizes the excess capacity available during early life to slow aging of the trap and thereby extend the trap lifetime. The method facilitates meeting durability requirements for diesel-powered vehicles with exhaust aftertreatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for ameliorating NOx slip from a lean NOx trap by reducing the amount of hydrocarbons reaching the lean NOx trap during the early stages of, or in a period immediately preceding, a rich regeneration. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon absorber is configured downstream from a fuel reformer, but upstream from the lean NOx trap, in order to reduce the quantity of hydrocarbons that reach the lean NOx trap during lean reformer warm-up and rich regeneration phases. In another embodiment, the fueling rate to a fuel reformer configured in an exhaust line upstream from the lean NOx trap is limited to reduce NOx slip.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust aftertreatment system comprises an LNT within an exhaust line. A low thermal mass DPF and a low thermal mass fuel reformer are configured within the exhaust line upstream from the LNT. A thermal mass is configured downstream from the fuel reformer and the DPF, but upstream from the LNT. For LNT denitration, the fuel reformer is rapidly heated and then used to catalyze steam reforming. The DPF is also rapidly heat each time the fuel reformer is heated and the LNT denitrated. The system operates to regenerate the DPF each time the LNT is denitrated. Preferably, a second DPF is provided to augment the performance of the first DPF. Preferably, the first DPF is small and of the flow through type whereas the second DPF is much larger and of the wall flow filter type. The second DPF can be used as the thermal mass.

Abstract: A power generation system comprises a diesel engine, a diesel particulate filter and a LNT configured to receive the exhaust from the DPF. The DPF is provided with a catalyst coating that is functional to catalyze methanation of trapped soot with H2 contained in the exhaust. Preferably, the catalyst has little or no oxygen storage capacity. The system is configured to regenerate the LNT by providing syn gas to the exhaust in rich regeneration phases. The syn gas-containing exhaust passes through the DPF and then the LNT. Within the DPF, the syn gas-containing exhaust removes soot be methanation and other soot gasification reactions, thus reducing or eliminating the need to reduce the DPF by other means. Soot gasification is preferred over soot combustion in that soot gasification avoids the destructive high DPF temperatures associated with soot combustion.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a lean NOx trap, an ammonia-SCR catalyst, and an additional catalyst configured in between. The lean NOx trap adsorbs NOx from lean exhaust and produces ammonia during regeneration. The SCR catalyst adsorbs most of that ammonia and subsequently uses that ammonia to reduce NOx. The additional catalyst is adapted to reduce the concentration of hydrocarbons in the exhaust during LNT regeneration and thereby mitigate hydrocarbon poisoning of the SCR. In one embodiment, the additional catalyst is a hydrocarbon-SCR catalyst. In another embodiment, the additional catalyst is an oxidation Catalyst. In a further embodiment, the additional catalyst is a hydrocarbon adsorbent. An oxidation catalyst can be made to store oxygen for hydrocarbon oxidation while avoiding excessive oxidation of ammonia by appropriately limiting that oxygen storage capacity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for making a catalytic element comprises forming a first slurry of a promoter oxide precursor and a refractory inorganic oxide and calcining the first slurry to form a supported promoter. The supported promoter and a noble metal solution are combined to form a second slurry that is calcined to form a catalyst composition. The catalyst composition is applied to a substrate and the substrate is calcined to form the catalytic element. In one embodiment, the catalyzed particulate filter comprises a shell disposed around the catalytic element, wherein the shell has an inlet and an outlet, and a retention member disposed between at least a portion of the shell and the catalytic element.

Abstract: A method of operating a power generation system involves operating a diesel engine to produce exhaust that is passed first through a combined DPF-fuel reformer and then a LNT. In response to the control signal to regenerate the LNT, fuel is injected into the exhaust at a rate that leaves the exhaust lean, whereby the injected fuel combusts in the combined DPF-reformer, warming it. There follows a rich phase in which fuel is injected into the exhaust at a rate that leaves the exhaust rich, whereby the DPF-reformer produces reformate and the LNT is regenerated. The combined DPF-reformer undergoes a regeneration that removes accumulated particulate matter with each LNT regeneration. Preferably, the DPF-reformer has a low thermal mass to facilitate heating. Preferably, the DPF-reformer includes a soot gasification catalyst, whereby a substantial amount of particulate matter is removed from the DPF-reformer during the rich phases.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for ameliorating NOx slip from a lean NOx trap by reducing the amount of hydrocarbons reaching the lean NOx trap during the early stages of, or in a period immediately preceding, a rich regeneration. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon absorber is configured downstream from a fuel reformer, but upstream from the lean NOx trap, in order to reduce the quantity of hydrocarbons that reach the lean NOx trap during lean reformer warm-up and rich regeneration phases. In another embodiment, the fueling rate to a fuel reformer configured in an exhaust line upstream from the lean NOx trap is limited to reduce NOx slip.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for ameliorating NOx slip from a lean NOx trap by reducing the amount of hydrocarbons reaching the lean NOx trap during the early stages of, or in a period immediately preceding, a rich regeneration. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon absorber is configured downstream from a fuel reformer, but upstream from the lean NOx trap, in order to reduce the quantity of hydrocarbons that reach the lean NOx trap during lean reformer warm-up and rich regeneration phases. In another embodiment, the fueling rate to a fuel reformer configured in an exhaust line upstream from the lean NOx trap is limited to reduce NOx slip.

Abstract: A low temperature lean NOx catalyst is configured in a diesel exhaust treatment system upstream of a fuel reformer-LNT system to provide low temperature performance. During system warm-up and anytime the LNT falls below an effective operating temperature, the exhaust aftertreatment system is provided with hydrocarbons at a rate proportional to the exhaust NOx flow rate, whereby NOx is reduced over the lean NOx catalyst. Optionally, the lean NOx catalyst is also adapted for use warming up the fuel reformer and or catalyzing NO to NO2 conversion. These concepts allow the reformer and LNT to be designed for high temperature performance and durability without also having to be adapted for NOx mitigation at the exhaust system's lowest temperatures.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system comprising two or more branches, at least one of which contains a NOx adsorber-catalyst. The branches unite downstream into a trailing conduit that contains an ammonia-SCR catalyst. Ammonia generated by the NOx adsorber-catalyst during regeneration is stored for later use by the SCR catalyst. One advantage of this configuration is a continuous or near continuous presence of oxygen within the trailing exhaust conduit. The continuous presence of improves the efficiency of the SCR catalyst. Another concept is to configure a multi-branch exhaust aftertreatment system without valves, dampers, or other electronically controlled devices adapted to selectively alter the distribution of the exhaust between the branches. The absence of such devices generally results in a comparatively balanced division of exhaust between the branches. One benefit of this configuration is improved reliability as compared to systems that use valves.

Abstract: A method of operating a power generation system involves operating a diesel engine to produce exhaust that is passed first through a combined DPF-fuel reformer and then a LNT. In response to the control signal to regenerate the LNT, fuel is injected into the exhaust at a rate that leaves the exhaust lean, whereby the injected fuel combusts in the combined DPF-reformer, warming it. There follows a rich phase in which fuel is injected into the exhaust at a rate that leaves the exhaust rich, whereby the DPF-reformer produces reformate and the LNT is regenerated. The combined DPF-reformer undergoes a regeneration that removes accumulated particulate matter with each LNT regeneration. Preferably, the DPF-reformer has a low thermal mass to facilitate heating. Preferably, the DPF-reformer includes a soot gasification catalyst, whereby a substantial amount of particulate matter is removed from the DPF-reformer during the rich phases.

Abstract: A power generation system comprises a diesel engine, a diesel particulate filter and a LNT configured to receive the exhaust from the DPF. The DPF is provided with a catalyst coating that is functional to catalyze methanation of trapped soot with H2 contained in the exhaust. Preferably, the catalyst has little or no oxygen storage capacity. The system is configured to regenerate the LNT by providing syn gas to the exhaust in rich regeneration phases. The syn gas-containing exhaust passes through the DPF and then the LNT. Within the DPF, the syn gas-containing exhaust removes soot be methanation and other soot gasification reactions, thus reducing or eliminating the need to reduce the DPF by other means. Soot gasification is preferred over soot combustion in that soot gasification avoids the destructive high DPF temperatures associated with soot combustion.

Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system including a DPF and a LNT in that order is operated with simultaneous soot combustion and LNT desulfation. When a control signal to desulfate the LNT is generated, the DPF is heated to ignite combustion of trapped soot. As the trapped soot is combusting in the DPF, reductant is injected downstream of the DPF, but upstream of the LNT at a rate that leaves the exhaust rich, whereby the LNT undergoes desulfation. Soot combustion reduces the fuel penalty for desulfation by removing oxygen from the exhaust. When a reformer is configured upstream of the LNT, soot combustion helps stabilize the reformer operation. In one embodiment, there are two fuel injectors; one upstream of the DPF and one between the DPF and the fuel reformer. Methods are provided for using this type of configuration to operate the reformer when the DPF is not being regenerated.

Abstract: One of the inventors' concepts relates to a power generation system, comprising a diesel engine and an exhaust system. The exhaust system comprises a first oxidation catalyst, a fuel reformer, and a LNT. A fuel injector is configured to inject fuel downstream of the oxidation catalyst, but upstream of the reformer. Preferably, the first oxidation catalyst is located near the engine. The first oxidation catalyst can extend the range of exhaust temperatures at which the aftertreatment devices operate by raising the temperature through reactions with residual hydrocarbons in the exhaust. The first oxidation catalyst also stabilizes the reformer operation by reducing the exhaust oxygen concentration. In a preferred embodiment, the engine operation is changed for LNT regenerations to increase the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a lean NOx trap, an ammonia-SCR catalyst, and an additional catalyst configured in between. The lean NOx trap adsorbs NOx from lean exhaust and produces ammonia during regeneration. The SCR catalyst adsorbs most of that ammonia and subsequently uses that ammonia to reduce NOx. The additional catalyst is adapted to reduce the concentration of hydrocarbons in the exhaust during LNT regeneration and thereby mitigate hydrocarbon poisoning of the SCR. In one embodiment, the additional catalyst is a hydrocarbon-SCR catalyst. In another embodiment, the additional catalyst is an oxidation Catalyst. In a further embodiment, the additional catalyst is a hydrocarbon adsorbent. An oxidation catalyst can be made to store oxygen for hydrocarbon oxidation while avoiding excessive oxidation of ammonia by appropriately limiting that oxygen storage capacity.

Abstract: In an exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a NOx adsorber-catalyst followed by an SCR catalyst, means are provided for preventing the SCR catalyst from becoming heated to near the same peak temperatures as the NOx adsorber-catalyst during desulfation. In one embodiment, the means is a thermal mass between the NOx adsorber-catalyst and the SCR catalyst. In another embodiment, the means is a valve configured to selectively divert exhaust leaving the NOx adsorber-catalyst from the SCR catalyst. In a method of the invention, the NOx adsorber-catalyst temperature is cycled during desulfation. The peaks of the cycles are within an appropriate temperature range for desulfating the NOx adsorber-catalyst, but the average temperature is below the temperature range at which the SCR catalyst is damaged. The temperature peaks are damped as they travel from the NOx adsorber-catalyst to the SCR, whereby the SCR experiences much lower peak temperatures than the NOx adsorber-catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power generation system with a continuously operating fuel reformer. Preferably, the fuel reformer is either off, warming up, or operating with an essentially constant fueling rate. Some of the reformed fuel is intermittently used to regenerate a NOx trap that treats the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. Any reformed fuel not used for other purposes is supplied to a fuel cell. The fuel reformer does not shut down between NOx trap regeneration cycles except when the engine is also shut down. The invention substantially eliminates issues of reformer response time as they relate to NOx trap regeneration.