Doctoral Dissertations
Date of Award
8-2018
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Major Professor
Ke Nguyen
Committee Members
Charles Stuart Daw, Jay I. Frankel, Joshua Fu, Jim Parks
Abstract
This dissertation summarizes experimental and computational observations from investigations of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOX) in lean gasoline engine exhaust based on utilizing ammonia (NH3) generated by a three-way catalyst (TWC) during brief periods of fuel-rich engine operation. NH3 released from the TWC is stored and available to reduce NOX on a downstream SCR catalyst during subsequent periods of lean engine operation. The experimental results include high-speed measurements of transient NH3 formation on the TWC monolith catalysts, as the catalysts were exposed to lean gasoline engine exhaust from a commercial engine. In addition to the experimental investigations, dynamic computational simulations of NH3 generation on the TWC catalyst were implemented to provide more detailed information about NH3 generation on TWCs based on available reaction kinetic mechanisms. Based on the experimental and computational results, estimates of the potential fuel efficiency gains and emissions relevant to simulated drive cycles indicate that passive SCR can potentially achieve significant fuel efficiency benefits while still meeting regulated NOX emissions limits for vehicles powered by lean gasoline engines. However, optimal performance of the system will most likely require development of emission control methods that include accurate models for SCR catalyst NH3 storage and reaction under realistic drive-cycle transients.
Recommended Citation
Prikhodko, Vitaly Y., "Passive Ammonia-SCR Catalyst System for NOX Abatement from Lean-Burn Gasoline Engines: NH3 formation over TWC. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2018.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/5068