The Need

Nitrogen oxide (NO_x) reduction with hydrocarbons has recently attracted attention due to stricter environmental regulations. Pollution of the atmosphere by NO_x emission from combustion sources continues to be a major environmental concern. Using methane as a reducing agent has advantages such as its low cost and abundant availability in natural gas. There have been numerous studies in the literature on NOx reduction over ZSM-5 supported and zeolite supported catalysts using hydrocarbons including methane. A catalyst for the reduction of NO_x would be useful in a number of applications.

The Technology

Researchers at the Ohio State University, led by Dr. Umit Ozkan, have developed a supported catalyst, comprising an active and a promoter metal, that reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) with a lower hydrocarbon. The support, titanium dioxide, may contain activated carbon. The promoter metals are chosen from the lanthanide metals and the active metals are either palladium or platinum.

Commercial Applications

• Power plants
• Gas turbines
• Industrial processing units
• Car exhausts

Benefits/Advantages

• Reduces nitrogen oxides with a lower hydrocarbon
• More efficient than previous process