Modeling the Effect of Nonuniformities from Urea Injection on SCR Performance Using CFD

A computational fluid dynamics model, consisting of a mixing chamber coupled with a catalytic converter, is developed for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx using urea. The NH3 required for the SCR reactions is produced from the injection and decomposition of urea in the mixing chamber. The conversion efficiency and concentration distribution of NH3 from the mixing chamber are analyzed for a range of operating conditions. The flow and species distribution profiles from the mixing chamber are incorporated as inlet boundary conditions at the entrance of the downstream SCR convertor. The SCR convertor comprises a central catalytic monolith and inlet and outlet diffuser sections. Variations in NOx concentration were observed within the monolith due to heat losses and nonuniformities in ammonia concentrations. While heat effects under non-isothermal conditions slightly improved the NOx conversion efficiency, nonuniformities in ammonia concentrations did not significantly influence the SCR performance. Thus, the radial variations in NH3 concentrations, owing to nonuniformity at the outlet of the mixing chamber, did not considerably impact the overall performance of the SCR. The effects of temperature, NO:NO2 ratio, and inlet velocity were investigated.