Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention is a nitrogen oxide trap comprising a porous support; and catalysts comprising platinum and lithium loaded on the porous support, the lithium being present in a high loading of at least 10 weight percent based on the weight of the porous support. The trap may be used in an internal combustion engine exhaust gas catalyst system. During lean-burn operation of the engine the trap sorbs nitrogen oxides (NOx) and releases the nitrogen oxides during decreased oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas, the desorbed NOx being converted to N.sub.2 and O.sub.2.

Abstract: This invention is a method for preparing an automotive catalyst system. It comprises the steps of providing a substrate, providing a gamma-alumina support material, depositing a lanthana precursor and calcining the precursor, depositing an oxygen storage material precursor like ceria precursor and calcining this precursor material, and subsequently depositing catalytic material like platinum on the oxygen storage material. The alumina may be initially washcoated on the substrate or at any stage after deposition of the lanthana precursor.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst for automotive emission control having a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina, a catalytic compound supported on said carrier having a major constituent of palladium, and a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on or adjacent substantially each exposed particle of the catalytic compound. A method of making a three-way catalyst for automotive emission control, comprising: impregnating with palladium a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina to produce a composite having 0.05-5.0% palladium; and impregnating the composite with an organo-titanium compound and decomposing such impregnated compound to form a discontinuous titanium oxide phase on or adjacent the exposed portions of said composite.

Abstract: A catalyst having high temperature (800.degree.-1050.degree. C.) stability and improved three-way automotive exhaust gas catalyst activity at high temperatures, comprising an outer catalytic coating of binary La-Pd oxide (La.sub.2 Pd.sub.2 O.sub.5 or La.sub.4 PdO.sub.7) calcined and supported on a catalyst-supporting substrate, the oxide being present in an amount to provide 15-150 g of Pd per cubic foot of the substrateA method of making binary La-Pd oxides useful as an automotive exhaust catalyst operative at high temperatures, comprising heating in an oxidizing atmosphere a mixture containing La compounds and Pd compounds in a La:Pd ratio of 1:1 or 4:1, the heating being staged to first heat slowly from about 50.degree. C. to start decomposition of the compounds and thereafter retaining the residue at an elevated temperature to stimulate growth of crystalline binary La-Pd oxides and to calcine the crystalline oxides.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of providing a channeled substrate with a porous washcoat used as a supporting structure for a catalyst. The substrate is coated with a reactive mixture made of components comprising aluminum alkoxide, water, and acid or the alkoxide in an alcohol. The aluminum alkoxide contains hydrolyzable alkoxy groups and has the chemical formula: Al(OR).sub.3, where R is an alkyl or branched alkyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The method also includes drying and calcining the coating to form a .gamma.-alumina washcoat.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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%.

Abstract: Method of enhancing the catalytic effectiveness of rhodium to reduce nitric oxides: (a) preparing a polymer modifier (molecular weight of 500-50,000) by controllably reacting amine [mono-2-hydroxyl ethyl amine and di-2-hydroxy ethyl amine] with epoxy resin (two or more epoxide groups per molecule) to form a soluble adduct and adding to the adduct a solvent to form a homogeneous amino polymer solution; (b) coating a granular support material (gamma alumina) with rhodium chloride and/or rhodium nitrate compounds; and (c) mixing the coated support material with added amino polymer solution to the support material either prior to or subsequent to step (b) and heating the mixture of polymer solution, support material, and rhodium chloride and/or rhodium nitrate compounds to evaporate the solvent and to decompose and eliminate the polymer, leaving the coated support material with rhodium in a morphologically changed condition devoid of amino polymer but having enhanced catalytic effectiveness for promoting reductio

Abstract: Sacrificial use of amino polymers to modify the crystal structure of platinum derived from chlorine compounds in a method to oxidize hydrocarbons, comprising: (a) preparing a polymer modifier by controllably reacting amine with epoxy resin to form a soluble adduct and adding to the adduct a solvent to form a homogeneous amino polymer solution; (b) coating a granular support material with platinum/chlorine compounds; and (c) mixing the coated support material with the polymer solution and heating the mixture to evaporate the solvent and to decompose and eliminate the polymer, leaving the coated granules with platinum in a morphologically changed condition devoid of amino polymer but having enhanced catalytic effectiveness for promoting oxidation of hydrocarbons. The amine is of a primary or secondary amine, preferably the hydroxyethyl group. The epoxy is a soluble resin comprising two or more epoxide groups per molecule, i.e., dihydric phenol or dihydric alcohol.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst for automotive emission control having a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina, a lanthanum oxide coating decorated onto the support, a catalytic compound discontinuously supported on the decorated support having a major constituent of palladium, and a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on the alumina, lanthana, and catalytic compound composite.The method of making such three-way catalyst for automotive emission control, comprises coating an alumina support with lanthana, impregnating the coated support with a palladium compound to form a discontinuous phase on the lanthana, and impregnating the coated support and catalytic compound with an organo-titania compound to form a discontinuous phase on the lanthana and palladium compound.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst construction, including its method of making, which deploys palladium and rhodium as precious metal catalysts, and lanthanum oxide and titania as a nonprecious metal catalyst, in a unique combination and in a unique manner. The three-way catalyst construction for automotive emission control, such catalyst being applied to a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina, comprises: (a) a discontinuous lanthanum oxide coating on the support; (b) a catalytic precious metal compound of palladium and rhodium, where rhodium is no greater than 10% by proportion of the palladium with palladium being at least 60% by weight of the precious metal catalyst, said precious metal catalyst being discontinuously supported on the decorated support; and (c) a nonprecious metal catalytic compound of titanium oxide disposed discontinuously on or about said precious metal catalyst compound and lanthana.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for substantially completely catalytically oxidizing alcohol vapor and/or formaldehyde vapor contained in low concentration in a heated carrier gas mixture at low temperatures such as encountered in exhaust gas treatment during the engine warm-up period and having oxygen present in a wide range of lambda values from momentarily rich (0.8) to very lean engine operation (lambda>5). The carrier gas mixture is sequentially exposed (i) to a first catalyst consisting substantially of palladium and of rhodium in a weight ratio of Rh/Pd of 0-0.3, and/or CeO.sub.2 in a weight ratio of CeO.sub.2 Pd of 0-50, and (ii) subsequently immediately to a second catalyst consisting substantially of the base metal silver, whereby the combination of said catalysts synergistically improve the oxidation of said mixture to achieve at least a 96% oxidation conversion of said alcohol vapor and to produce less than 1% of the coverted methanol as aldehydes.Palladium is effective in converting methanol to CO.sub.

Abstract: A catalyst construction and method of making is disclosed for treating automotive exhaust gases from a fossil fueled internal combustion engine. The construction comprises: (a) a substrate; (b) a coating on said substrate having comingled first and second phases, said first phase comprising ceria and precious metal in microscale intimacy and said second phase comprising precious metal substantially devoid of ceria and separated from the ceria in said first phase on a macroscale. The phases may be in particle form with (i) the first phase particles resulting from the codeposition of CeO.sub.2, precious metal, and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 from an aqueous solution containing dissolved salts of CeO.sub.2 and precious metal and suspended particles of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; and (ii) the second phase particles resulting from the codeposition of precious metal and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 from an aqueous solution containing a dissolved salt of the precious metal and suspended particles of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A catalyst construction and method of making is disclosed for treating automotive exhaust gases from a fossil fueled internal combustion engine. The construction comprises: (a) a substrate; (b) a coating on said substrate having comingled first and second phases, said first phase comprising ceria and precious metal in microscale intimacy and said second phase comprising precious metal substantially devoid of ceria and separated from the ceria in said first phase on a macroscale. The phases may be in particle form with (i) the first phase particles resulting from the codeposition of CeO.sub.2, precious metal, and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 from an aqueous solution containing dissolved salts of CeO.sub.2 and precious metal and suspended particles of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; and (ii) the second phase particles resulting from the codeposition of precious metal and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 from an aqueous solution containing a dissolved salt of the precious metal and suspended particles of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: This specification teaches a method of operating an internal combustion engine having combustion chambers on a methanol fuel. In general, the method teaches the steps of heating the fuel to vaporize at least a portion thereof, thereafter heating at least a portion of the vaporized fuel to a decomposition temperature. At least a portion of the vaporized methanol fuel at the decomposition temperature is passed over a catalyst selected from the group consisting essentially of a palladium catalyst, a platinum/palladium catalyst, and a platinum/rhodium catalyst, thereby to decompose at least a part of the vaporized methanol fuel into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The vaporized methanol fuel, along with the hydrogen and carbon monoxide, are injected into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine along with oxygen and, if desired, additional methanol fuel to be burned in the combustion chambers.