Grantee Research Project Results
Catalysts for the Control of Automotive Cold Start Emissions
EPA Contract Number: 68D30115Title: Catalysts for the Control of Automotive Cold Start Emissions
Investigators: Karpuk, Michael E.
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1993 through March 1, 1994
Project Amount: $50,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1993) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Automotive catalytic converters are quite efficient once they reach operating temperature, typically destroying over 98% of the incoming hydrocarbons (HCs) and carbon monoxide (CO). However, up to 80% of the emissions during the Federal Test Procedure occur during the first few minutes when the engine is running rich, the oxygen sensor is not yet operational, and the catalytic converter has not reached its light-off temperature. Thus, to significantly reduce automotive emissions of HCs and CO, a method must be found which will reduce the emissions during the cold start period.TDA has developed a new form of based metal oxide catalyst which has very high activity at low temperatures (these catalysts can completely oxidize CO at -70?C, and can be significantly more active than platinum for HC oxidation), and whose activity is not inhibited by the presence of water. In the Phase I project, TDA will use the best of the catalysts developed to date, test their activity in the laboratory under conditions which are representative of the automotive cold start application, prepare the catalyst in pellet form, prepare a packed bed catalytic converter, and test the effect of the converter on the start-up emissions of a 1984 Volkswagen Jetta.
Supplemental Keywords:
Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Sustainable Industry/Business, air toxics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Chemistry, HAPS, VOCs, Technology for Sustainable Environment, mobile sources, New/Innovative technologies, Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Nitrogen Oxides, Nox, catalyzing oxidation, air pollutants, catalyst composition, control, catalytic oxidation, hydrocarbon, metal oxide, oxidation, vehicle emissions, nitrogren oxides (NOx), motor vehicle exhaust, novel catalyst systems, automotive emissions, vehicular, air pollution control, automotive combustion, air pollution, automotive exhaust, catalyst formulations, catalysts, automobiles, auto emissions, automotive, hydrocarbons, vehicular exhaust, automobile combustion process design, metal oxides, catalytic combustion, nitrogen oxides (Nox), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), automotive emission controls, air emissionsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.