A synergistic approach for the removal of NO/sub x/ and PM from diesel engine exhaust

A prototype reactor and diesel exhaust testbed have been assembled to investigate the compatibility and performance of specially developed lean NO/sub x/ catalyst formulations in the presence of a nonthermal plasma as a function of reactor input energy density and specific exhaust conditions. The relative performance of three catalyst formulations acting both alone and in concert with the nonthermal plasma are being compared in preparation for a downselect to the most promising candidate. This formulation will be the subject of subsequent refinement and development. Preliminary results indicate that true synergy does in fact exist between these two aftertreatment approaches.