Reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions using nickel-copper alloy catalyst in diesel engines

Results of experiments conducted for the reduction of NO x in diesel engine exhaust using nickel-copper alloy, marketed under the name Monel, are reported. At temperatures above 600 K, and space velocities up to 40000 h -1 , Monel is found to reduce about 70% of NO x in diesel engine exhaust. Monel in wire form, have been used for minimized swelling effect and thereby increasing its life, as the catalyst life is limited by physical deteriorations of catalyst, which causes increase in exhaust back pressure. Study on warmup characteristics of the catalyst system show rapid bed warmup and possible reduction in catalyst mass without affecting the NO x reduction performance.