Effect of low-sulfur fuels upon NH3 and N2O emission during operation of commercial three-way catalytic converters

The use of low-sulfur fuel is known to improve the performance of the three-way catalytic converter (TWC). However, in this work we report how low-sulfur operation of commercial TWC also favors formation of N2O and NH3 as by products. We found that low-sulfur rich operation above 300 degrees C increases the production of NH3, inhibiting the formation of N2O characteristic of high-sulfur operation. During lean operation, the production of N2O near the stoichiometric point is not significantly affected by the sulfur level. The large production of N2O observed during light-off is not affected by SO2 when the operation is lean, but under rich conditions N2O is produced up to 575 degrees C. The increased production of NH3 and N2O in TWC as a result of the introduction of low-sulfur gasoline is an area that requires further analysis because of its implication upon public health in large urban settings.