Infrared-enhanced selective catalytic reduction of NOx

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and method using infrared to enhance selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx, consisting of at least an infrared-emitting body, said infrared-emitting body being engineered to have specific spectral luminance covering a part or the whole of 3-14 μm wavelength range, that provides an effective means for improving NOx conversion in the SCR aftertreatment system of diesel engines.

1 . An infrared-enhanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device for exciting the reducing agent and for thereby achieving efficient NOx reduction, said device consisting essentially an SCR mechanism and at least one infrared emitting body, said infrared emitting body having specific spectral luminance covering a part or the whole of 3-14 μm wavelength range. 
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the infrared emitting body is made of oxides selected from the oxides of Groups I, II, III, IV, or Transition elements in Periodic Table, or a mixture of said oxides. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein one reducing agent for said SCR mechanism is ammonia or urea. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein one reducing agent for said SCR mechanism is hydrocarbon or other infrared-active substance. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the infrared emitting body is disposed adjacent to or in contact with said reducing agent. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the infrared emitting bodies is disposed at exterior of a delivery hose of reducing agent. 
   
   
       7 . An infrared-enhanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) method for exciting reducing agent and for thereby achieving efficient NOx reduction comprising:
 providing an SCR mechanism with infrared-active reducing agent and at least an infrared-emitting body having specific spectral luminance covering a part or the whole of 3-14 μm wavelength range, and   disposing said infrared-emitting body adjacent to or in contact with said reducing agent.