Patents by Inventor Somasundaram Subramanian
Somasundaram Subramanian has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5866498Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a catalyst for promoting the oxidation-reduction reactions of the exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine wherein the catalyst comprises; tungsten oxide, a basic metal oxide, and a noble metal. More narrowly, the present invention relates to a catalyst for promoting oxidation-reduction reactions with the exhaust gases produced by internal combustion engine wherein the catalyst comprises; a composite oxide comprised of a refractory oxide, tungsten oxide in juxtaposed relation with the refractory oxide, and a basic metal oxide in juxtaposed relation with the tungsten oxide; and arrayed on the composite oxide a noble metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1992Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mohinder S. Chattha, Somasundaram Subramanian, William L. H. Watkins
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Patent number: 5788936Abstract: A catalyst system for attaining high conversions of NO, HC, and CO in a fuel-lean emission flow (i.e., containing SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O, H.sub.2, and considerable excess oxygen), the system comprising: (a) a first stage reducing catalyst for treating the nitric oxide emissions, the catalyst containing highly acidic gamma alumina (i.e., with a pH.sub.pzc of less than 3); (b) means for injecting gaseous or liquid reductants into the emission stream prior to entering said first stage catalyst, said first stage catalyst temperature being selected to be in the range of 550.degree.-650.degree. C.; and (c) an oxidation catalyst effective for treating the effluent from the first stage catalyst.Another aspect of this invention is a method of treating the exhaust gas from a fuel-lean emission flow from a fossil-fueled internal combustion engine having a redox ratio of 0.02-0.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1992Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5618505Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a catalyst for promoting oxidation-reduction reactions of the exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine wherein the catalyst comprises a first-stage high temperature catalyst and a second-stage lower temperature catalyst. The first-stage catalyst comprises between about 0.1 and 3% by weight tungsten carried on a support material comprising mostly .gamma.-alumina. The second-stage catalyst comprises a base metal catalyst carried on a support material and preferably comprises between 0.1 and 6% by weight copper carried on a support material comprising mostly .gamma.-alumina.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1994Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5489522Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for enhancing the catalytic effectiveness of noble metal catalysts to reduce NO.sub.x and to oxidize hydrocarbons, which comprises: providing a solution of an organo noble metal compound dissolved in an organic solvent; impregnating a support material, preferably comprising at least 50% by weight .gamma.-alumina, with the solution; and heating the impregnated support material to evaporate the solvent and eliminate the organo group leaving the coated support material with the noble metal.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1994Date of Patent: February 6, 1996Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5399324Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a catalyst system for promoting oxidation-reduction reactions of the exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine wherein the catalyst comprises a two-stage system of a first-stage nitric oxide removal (by reduction) catalyst and a second-stage carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon removal (by oxidation) catalyst. The first-stage catalyst comprises between about 0.1 and 3% by weight tungsten carried on a support material comprising mostly .gamma.-alumina. The second-stage catalyst is an oxidation catalyst such as platinum on alumina.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1994Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5318760Abstract: A three-way catalyst system for efficiently converting the exhaust gas from a CNG-fueled engine when operated under lean conditions at a redox ratio of 0.02-0.9, the system comprising a first stage catalyst comprising a transition metal-containing zeolite; means for injecting a hydrocarbon into said exhaust gas prior to entry of said exhaust gas into said first stage catalyst, said hydrocarbon having a greater affinity than CH.sub.4 in its ability to react with NO; and a second stage catalyst for treating the effluent from said first stage catalyst and comprising a high surface area alumina impregnated with discontinuous La.sub.2 O.sub.3 and palladium.The invention also comprehends a method of treating exhaust gases from a lean-burn CNG-fueled engine, operating at a redox ratio of 0.02-0.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5316991Abstract: A three-way catalyst system for efficiently converting the exhaust gas from a CNG-fueled engine when operated under lean conditions at a redox ratio of 0.02-0.9, the system comprising a first stage catalyst comprising a transition metal-containing zeolite; means for injecting a hydrocarbon into said exhaust gas prior to entry of said exhaust gas into said first stage catalyst, said hydrocarbon having a greater affinity than CH.sub.4 in its ability to react with NO; and a second stage catalyst for treating the effluent from said first stage catalyst and comprising a high surface area alumina impregnated with discontinuous La.sub.2 O.sub.3 and palladium.The invention also comprehends a method of treating exhaust gases from a lean-burn CNG-fueled engine, operating at a redox ratio of 0.02-0.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5208205Abstract: A catalyst system for attaining high conversions of NO, HC, and CO in a fuel-lean emission flow (i.e., containing SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O, H.sub.2, and considerable excess oxygen), the system comprising: (a) a first stage reducing catalyst for treating the nitric oxide emissions, the catalyst containing highly acidic gamma alumina (i.e., with a pH.sub.pzc of less than 3); (b) means for injecting gaseous or liquid reductants into the emission stream prior to entering said first stage catalyst, said first stage catalyst temperature being selected to be in the range of 550.degree.-650.degree. C.; and (c) an oxidation catalyst effective for treating the effluent from the first stage catalyst.Another aspect of this invention is a method of treating the exhaust gas from a fuel-lean emission flow from a fossil-fueled internal combustion engine having a redox ratio of 0.02-0.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1991Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5208204Abstract: A three-way catalyst system for treating the exhaust stream of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled engine operating slightly rich of stoichiometry, the said catalyst system providing high conversions and low light-off temperature for the removal of HC, CO, and NO.sub.x. A high surface area gamma alumina support is impregnated with an intimate mixture of 0.2-30% Pd and 0.5-20% La.sub.2 O.sub.3, the Pd being in crystalline form with particle size in the range of 5-500 angstroms.A method of making such catalyst system comprising sequentially impregnating a high surface area gamma alumina support with lanthana and palladium by incipient wetness techniques, such techniques comprising the procedure of contacting alumina first with a lanthanum nitrate solution of desired concentration to obtain 0.5-20% lanthana, contacting the lanthana impregnated alumina with a palladium nitrate solution of desired concentration to obtain a 0.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1991Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, William L. H. Watkins, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5196175Abstract: A method of making a three-way catalyst based on platinum group metals, comprising: (a) impregnating an alumina substrate with a platinum group metal ion by contacting such substrate with an aqueous solution containing the platinum group metal in an amount of 0.1-5% by weight of alumina substrate and a water soluble acid that forms RCOOH with R being an alkyl or equivalent, said acid being present in an amount of 10-120% by weight of the alumina substrate, the pH of said solution being less than 4.0; and (b) drying and calcining the wetted substrate without sintering said substrate.The three-way catalyst construction based on platinum group metals has enhanced catalytic activity. It comprises an alumina substrate and a platinum group metal impregnation layer thereover, said impregnation layer being comprised of raft-like particle structures, each having increased metal density resulting from the nesting of both small and large metal particles within a given volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, William L. H. Watkins, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5185305Abstract: A catalyst system for converting NO.sub.x, CO, and HC contained in the exhaust gas from a gasoline-fueled engine controlled to operate under lean-burn conditions (R=0.03-0.9) such that the a ratio of NO.sub.x to HC in the exhaust gas in in the range of 1/3 to 3/1 (i.e., minimum C.sub.3 H.sub.6 of 250 ppm and NO.sub.x of 200-400 ppm). The system comprises a first stage catalyst containing a transition metal-exchanged zeolite (i.e., Cu-ZSM5), and a three-way catalyst for treating the effluent from said first stage catalyst. The second stage catalyst consists of a high surface area alumina support impregnated with an intimate mixture of 0.5-20% lanthana, 0.2-30% palladium, and advantageously an outer washcoat TiO.sub.2.A method of treating the exhaust gas from a fossil-fueled engine comprising operating the engine under lean-burn conditions while controlling the emission ratio of NO.sub.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5179053Abstract: A catalyst system that converts the exhaust gas of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled automotive engine when operated at stoichiometry or slightly lean thereof, at highly enhanced rates, and having: (a) a first stage catalyst comprising a transition metal-containing zeolite (Cu-ZSM5), and (b) a second stage catalyst for treating the effluent of the first stage and comprising palladium supported on high surface area gamma alumina. The second stage catalyst has the alumina support impregnated with an intimate mixture, by weight, of 0.5-20% La.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.2-30% palladium.A method of treating exhaust gases from a CNG-fueled engine, comprising: (a) operating the engine at stoichiometry or slightly lean (0.85-1.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5179060Abstract: A method of making a three-way catalyst based on platinum group metals, comprisng: (a) impregnating an alumina substrate with a platinum group metal ion by contacting such substrate with an aqueous solution containing the platinum group metal in an amount of 0.1-5% by weight of alumina substrate and a water soluble acid that forms RCOOH with R being an alkyl or equivalent, said acid being present in an amount of 10-120% by weight of the alumina substrate, the pH of said solution being less than 4.0; and (b) drying and calcining the wetted substrate without sintering said substrate.The three-way catalyst construction based on platinum group metals has enhanced catalytic activity. It comprises an alumina substrate and a platinum group metal impregnation layer thereover, said impregnation layer being comprised of raft-like particle structures, each having increased metal density resulting from the nesting of both small and large metal particles within a given volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1990Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, William L. H. Watkins, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5176887Abstract: A three-way catalyst system for treating the exhaust stream of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled engine operating slightly rich of stoichiometry, the said catalyst system providing high conversions and low light-off temperature for the remnoval of HC, CO, and NO.sub.x. A high surface area gamma alumina support is impregnated with an intimate mixture of 0.2-30% Pd and 0.5-20% La.sub.2 O.sub.3, the Pd being in crystalline form with a particle size in the range of 5.500 angstroms.A method of making such catalyst system comprising sequentially impregnating a high surface area gamma alumina support with lanthana and palladium by incipient wetness techniques, such techniques comprising the procedure of contacting alumina first with a lanthanum nitrate solution of desired concentration to obtain 0.5-20% lanthana, contacting the lanthana impregnated alumina with a palladium nitrate solution of desired concentration to obtain a 0.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1991Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, William L. H. Watkins, Mohinder S. Chattha
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Patent number: 5139994Abstract: A method of making an oxidation catalyst for use in automotive exhaust gas treatment by impregnating with platinum a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina to produce a composite having, by weight, 1-5% platinum, and impregnating (by incipient wetness) the composite with an organo-titanium compound (titanium butoxide) and decomposing such compound to form a discontinuous titanium oxide phase on or adjacent the exposed portions of the composite.A method of treating automotive exhaust gases carrying hydrocarbons is also disclosed, comprising initiating combustion in an internal combustion engine fueled with fossil fuel, placing an oxidation catalyst at a location in close proximity to the source of such emissions, and exposing at such location the exhaust gases to a catalyst consisting of an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 substrate, a continuous coating of platinum in an amount of 0.1-5% by weight, and a complexing discontinuous phase of titania thereover in an amount of 0.1-2.5%.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1990Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Mohinder S. Chattha, William L. H. Watkins, Somasundaram Subramanian
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Patent number: 5114902Abstract: Oxide supported metal catalysts have an additional metal present in intimate association with the metal catalyst to enhance catalytic activity. In a preferred mode, iridium or another Group VIII metal catalyst is supported on a titania, alumina, tungsten oxide, silica, or composite oxide support. Aluminum ions are readsorbed onto the support and catalyst, and reduced during calcination. The aluminum can be added as aluminum nitrate to the iridium impregnate solution, e.g. chloroiridic acid.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Assignee: Syracuse UniversityInventors: James A. Schwarz, Somasundaram Subramanian