ACCT: A significant reduction in real-world NOx emissions by extending the operating range of the Selective Catalytic Reduction system

AdBlue™

Incomplete decomposition leading to:

• Rapid deposit formation

• Lower than expected ammonia generation requiring further hydrolysis on the SCR Catalyst

• Ammonia generation continues after dosing due to the decomposition of deposits

Current technology limitationsCurrent SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems use industry-standard AdBlue™ to provide the ammonia required to reduce NOx emissions into nitrogen and water. The current restriction in SCR operation is the result of AdBlue™ use which can form deposits during low-temperature operation resulting in exhaust blockages and engine damage.

Falling NOx emissions cannot keep pace with emissions targets Developments in EU-28 emissions, 2000-2014 (% of 2000 levels)3

Comparison of NOx standards and emissions for different Euro classes4

1European Environment Agency, 2016; 2/3/4European Environment Agency, Air Quality in Europe, 2016

Nitrogen oxide (NOX ) emissions (in g/km)Nitrogen oxide (NOX ) emissions (in g/km)Nitrogen oxide (NOX ) emissions (in g/km)Nitrogen oxide (NOX ) emissions (in g/km)

Air pollution – a global problemAir pollution is Europe’s single largest environmental health risk, believed to be responsible for about 467,000 premature deaths a year1, 71,000 of these are attributable to Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx).

More than 60% of the EU recorded NO2 concentrations are above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (40 μg/m3)2.

Innovative solution Fully scalable technology

ACCT solution

Rapid and complete decomposition:

• ACCT solution will not form deposits due to its low decomposition temperature and reliance on thermolysis alone

• Ammonia seen in full measure far quicker than with AdBlue™

• Ammonia generation stops as soon as dosing stops

Loughborough’s new technology allows a diesel engine’s NOx reduction system to remain active throughout a whole real-world driving cycle, leading to significant reductions in exhaust emissions, greater power, and fuel economy.

Using AdBlue™, the ACCT (Ammonia Creation and Conversion Technology) enables the formation of ammonia, and thereby NOx reduction, at engine cold-start conditions and during low temperature periods of engine operation: an operating mode that has never before been possible with AdBlue™-based SCR systems.

Loughborough University has a fully-functional prototype installed on a hot-flow diesel engine exhaust simulation rig.

Industrially significant results have been achieved with a prototype, scaled for a 500kW engine. The technology can be re-scaled for any engine size and easily integrates into existing SCR systems. It is anticipated that on-engine testing will be completed within one year.

Low  Temperature  Response• Sufficient  exhaust  energy  for  

decomposition  even  at  very  low  temperatures.

• Highly  controllable  ammonia  delivery  at  all  exhaust  temperatures

• No  deposit  build-­‐up  reduces  need  to  overdose  and  prevents  continued  ammonia  release  after  dosing

Exhaust  Flow:  250kg/h  

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Dose  Rate 200°C 150°C 100°C

Rapid  Ammonia  Delivery • Decomposition  of  AdBlue™  is  often  only  partially  complete  before  the  SCR  catalyst

• Uses  space  on  the  SCR  catalyst  or  requires  additional    Hydrolysis  catalyst  

• ACCT  solution  decomposes  rapidly  when  heated,  fully  decomposed  before  catalyst

• No  build  up  of  residue  on  surfaces  allows  control  system  to  react  faster

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AdBlue ACCTExhaust  Flow:  250°C,  250kg/h  

ACCT low-temperature response

• Generates ammonia at almost all exhaust temperatures

• Faster response for highly controllable ammonia delivery

• No deposit build-up, preventing any damage to the engine or after-treatment

Rapid ammonia delivery

It is common, in existing systems, for the decomposition of AdBlue™ to be only partially complete before its arrival at the SCR catalyst. This can lead to deposit creation and requires either the SCR catalyst or an additional hydrolysis catalyst to complete decomposition.

With ACCT, decomposition is complete before the catalyst. So, there is no potential for the build-up of residue – allowing the control system to react more quickly.

Industrially significant resultsExcellent ammonia response times and availability as low as 50°C with full decomposition from 100°CThe ACCT technology offers significant advantages over existing ammonia

delivery systems for SCR which are unable to function effectively at low exhaust temperatures and can generate harmful deposits within a vehicle’s exhaust.

Find out moreACCT has received considerable interest from tier 1 suppliers and manufacturers across the passenger and HDV sector.

Graham HargraveProfessor of Optical Diagnostics+44 (0)1509 227526G.K.Hargrave@lboro.ac.uk

Jonathan Wilson Research Associate +44 (0)1509 227551J.G.Wilson@lboro.ac.uk

Mark Bennett Head of Intellectual Property Exploitation+44 (0)1509 223858M.R.Bennett@lboro.ac.uk

NATIONAL AIR QUALITYAwards 2017

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F I N A L I S T 2 0 1 7

I N N O V A T I O N NATIONAL AIR QUALITYAwards 2017 INNOVATION

FINALIST