Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalyst Technology for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Particulate Removal from Heavy Vehicle Exhaust

60 Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalyst Technology for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Particulate Removal from Heavy Vehicle Exhaust--Noxtech, Inc., 1939 Deere Avenue, Irvine, CA 92606-4818; (714) 253-6079 Dr. Vishwesh M. Palekar, Principal Investigator Mr. Ralph J. Slone, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-97ER82444 Amount: $75,000 The U.S. economy is linked to efficient heavy vehicle (diesel) transportation. There is an urgent need for a cost effective technology that would help reduce the nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions from the exhaust of a diesel engine. This project will utilize a plasma assisted catalyst approach to achieve greater than 80% removal of these harmful emissions. Using novel catalytic materials, preliminary lab tests on diesel exhausts containing in excess of 10% oxygen, have demonstrated more than 70% removal of nitrogen oxide and 80% removal of particulates, using less than 7% of engine power. Phase I of the program will demonstrate this technology on the exhaust of a 4 kilowatt diesel engine. In addition, an understanding of the interaction of plasma with catalytic materials and the reactive species for nitrogen oxide and particulate removal will be obtained. Phase II will involve an accurate mapping of the energy usage and system performance limitations at engine exhaust temperature. In addition, various hardware configurations of this system will be designed and field tested for durability and long term performance. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: This technology is applicable to all stationary and mobile diesel engines and alternate fueled vehicles, and all nitrogen oxide containing pollutant streams. It can achieve a 90% reduction in nitrogen oxide and particulates, and has the potential for more than a 15% increase in fuel efficiency. _