Soot oxidation in the presence of NO over alumina-supported bimetallic catalysts K–Me (Me = Cu, Co, V)

Alumina supported catalytic systems K–Me (Me = Cu, Co and V) for the simultaneous removal of soot and NOx, were prepared by impregnation of a powder particle size alumina, using nitrate solutions of the corresponding metals. Physico-chemical characterization of the prepared catalysts was performed by means of XRD, SEM-EDX, ICP, N2-adsorption and TPR. The activity of the catalysts was assayed both, by thermogravimetric analysis and in a laboratory-scale fixed bed reactor. The effect of catalyst composition was examined. The catalysts showed high activity on the simultaneous removal of soot and nitrogen oxides at temperatures between 350 and 550 °C. Full selective conversion of NOx and total oxidation of the soot was attained; observing higher reaction rates in the case of the catalysts prepared using Cu as the active metal.