An examination of the role of plasma treatment for lean NOx reduction over sodium zeolite Y and gamma alumina Part 1.: Plasma assisted NOx reduction over NaY and Al2O3

The role of plasma processing on NOx reduction over gamma-alumina and a basic zeolite, NaY was examined. During the plasma treatment NO is oxidized to NO2 and propylene is partially oxidized to CO, CO2, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. With plasma treatment, NO as the NOx gas, and a NaY catalyst, the maximum NOx conversion was 70% between 180 and 230 degreesC. The activity decreased at higher and lower temperatures. As high as 80% NOx removal over gamma alumina was measured by a chemiluminescent NOx meter with plasma treatment and NO as the NOx gas. For both catalysts a simultaneous decrease in NOx and aldehydes concentrations was observed, which suggests that aldehyde may be important components for NOx reduction in plasma-treated exhaust. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.