In the wake of stringent government regulations, considerable actions are carried out in an attempt to reduce carbon emission. Technology enhancements in the manufacturing industry are greatly driven by these increasing strict clean air standards. Government emission control regulations necessitate that automakers control the amount of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide produced in the exhaust of vehicles. On account of the continual efforts in emission reduction, effective solutions are gaining grounds significantly. As emission control catalysts are a feasible solution, they are gaining noteworthy adoption across the globe. The constantly expanding automotive landscape along with the emission control initiatives implemented by leading governments are driving the growth of the emission control catalyst market.
Research Activities Centered at Revolutionizing Emission Control
- Revolutionizing Discovery to Uplift Clean Transportation
A team led by the University of Houston’s chemical engineer was recently selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a project valuing $2 million to build and optimize a catalyst having greater efficiency and lower-cost for the elimination of unreacted methane. The notable adequacy of natural gas in the US owing to the advances in drilling technology has triggered the idea of utilizing domestically produced, cost-effective natural gas as a fuel for transportation.
The combustion of natural gas produces less carbon dioxide compared to the combustion of diesel or gasoline. The US DOE’s team would focus on four-way catalyst development on the three-way catalysts used with gasoline and diesel engines. These catalysts would convert carbon monoxide, non-methane hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, as well as methane. Conventionally, vehicle an exhaust catalyst relied on rhodium, platinum, and palladium, which are effective but expensive. The reduction of use of precious metals remains a critical facet of the work, which would, in turn, lower costs. The team’s four-way catalyst will test the utilization of metal oxides containing inexpensive elements such as nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, and others.
- Researchers Aim at Reducing Vehicle Pollutants at Low Temperatures:
The next-gen emission control catalyst solutions are expected to perform even at low temperatures and also sustain through the harsh conditions encountered during the operation. Apart from this, the emission control catalyst industry is also facing challenges with the high cost of precious metals used.
The researchers at Washington State University, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of New Mexico, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a catalyst that is capable of withstanding high temperatures and convert pollutants at near room temperature, which marks a vital advancement in the process of reducing pollution in modern vehicles. This catalyst is based on the activation of single platinum atoms supported on cerium oxide. Apart from outpacing present technologies, the new catalyst also reduces the use of platinum, thereby lowering overall costs.
The US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently opted for nine projects to be a part of its million-dollar effort with funding offered from US DOE, the Southcoast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and the California Energy Commission (CEC) with an aim to advance technology for natural gas automobiles. One of the nine projects was the development of zeolite-based emission control catalyst for improved low-temperature conversion of methane.
The University of Buffalo along with its partners aim to address natural gas emission and efficiency improvements by creating a revolutionary after-treatment system for natural gas vehicles that use palladium-based emission control catalyst that has reflected superior activity for methane oxidation at low temperatures.
New Development for the Stationary Equipment Application Observed
Johnson Matthey, a leading emission control catalyst provider recently announced the launch of an innovative solution— ActivDPF, which is an automatically regenerating diesel particulate filter system, designed for stationary diesel engines. The system is integrated with Johnson Matthey’s CRT (Continuously Regenerating Trap) technology with a load bank, making it even more reliable and versatile. The CRT combines a diesel particulate filter that traps nearly 99percent of harmful particulate matter diesel exhaust with a catalyst that enables the reduction of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
Production of Cutting-Edge Environmental Catalyst Solutions Underway
BASF, a recognized emission control catalyst provider recently announced its investment in the new production facility for the development of mobile emission catalyst at a site in Shanghai, China. The new facility would house multiple production lines, offering a range of emission control catalyst and technologies for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers. The plant will produce innovative emission control catalyst solutions for gasoline and diesel vehicles in the lucrative market in China.
Efficient, Low-NOx Emission Technology Solutions Developed
Efficient conversion of nitrogen oxide (NOx) into harmless emissions in urban light trucks and heavy-duty long-haul trucks is emerging as a primary aim in the industry. The challenge focuses on ensuring that exhaust after-treatment systems reach and maintain an effective working temperature in rapid fashion after starting the engine. However, as the filter and catalyst integration differs according to vehicles, some vehicle models fail offer scope for close-coupled mounting of the said systems. The technology company—Continental developed solutions to help achieve improvements in NOx conversion efficiency for any of the aforementioned requirements.
For a detailed examination of the future potential held by the emission control catalyst market, readers can access the sample of the study.