Internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification apparatus, exhaust gas purification process and exhaust gas purification catalyst

Abstract
Nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn engine-mounted internal combustion engines are eliminated with a high efficiency.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exhausts gas purification apparatus, an exhaust gas purification process and an exhaust gas purification catalyst with high elimination efficiency of NOx from NOx-containing exhaust gases such as combustion exhaust gases from internal combustion engines such as automobile engines, etc.


BACKGROUND ART

Lean-burn engines capable of bringing an air/fuel ratio into a fuel-lean stage have been nowadays regarded as promising automobile internal combustion engines from the viewpoint of reduced fuel consumption. However, the exhaust gases from such engines are in such an oxidizing atmosphere that the O2 concentration of the exhaust gases is more than a stoichiometric amount necessary for complete combustion of reducing components contained in the exhaust gases (said atmosphere will be hereinafter referred as “oxidizing atmosphere”). The conventional ternary catalysts are directed to efficient purification of NOx, HC and CO in such a reducing atmosphere that the O2 concentration of the exhaust gases is not more than a stoichiometric amount necessary for complete combustion of reducing components contained in the exhaust gases (said atmosphere will be hereinafter referred to as “reducing atmosphere”), failing to show a satisfactory NOx elimination activity in the oxidizing atmosphere. Thus, it has been keenly desired to develop catalysts capable of effectively eliminating NOx, HC and CO, particularly NOx, in the oxidizing atmosphere.


For exhaust gas purification directed to the lean-burn engines, WO93/07363 and WO93/08383 propose to provide an NOx absorbent in the exhaust gas passage. The NOx absorbent can absorb NOx from the exhaust gases during the fuel-lean combustion and discharge the absorbed Nox when the O2 concentration of the exhaust gases is lowered.


JP-A-8-299793 also proposes to provide a catalyst which comprises an NOx-absorbing component capable of absorbing NOx from the exhaust gases during the fuel-lean combustion and an NOx-reducing component capable of reducing the absorbed NOx in the exhaust gas passage.


With more and more intensified atmospheric regulation of the automobile exhaust gases, much higher NOx elimination activity and durability are required for the Nox elimination catalysts directed to the lean-burn engines. The present invention provides an exhaust gas purification catalyst with distinguished NOx elimination activity and durability, particularly distinguished head resistance and SOx resistance, an exhaust gas purification apparatus and an exhaust gas purification process using said catalyst.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to elimination of NOx in a combustion exhaust gas in an oxidizing atmosphere emitted from an internal combustion engine with a catalyst comprising a carrier and active components, the active components comprising at least one of Rh, Pt and Pd, at least one member selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and Mn.


One member selected from the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals can serve the desired purpose, but two or more members thereof can further improve the activity. It seems that new active sites are formed on the catalyst owing to two or more members of these metals supported on the carrier. An amount of supported alkali metals and alkaline earth metals is preferably in a range of 0.05 to 3 parts by mole each of the supported metals in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier, where “parts by mole” means a proportion of one component to another in terms of moles; for example, “3 parts by mole of supported component B to 1.5 parts by mole of component A” means that component B is supported in a ratio of component B to component A being 3:1.5 terms of moles, irrespective of the absolute amount of component A. In case the amount of supported alkali metals and alkaline earth metals is less than 0.05 parts by mole each, the improvement of NOx elimination activity is less effective, whereas in case of more than 3 parts by mole the specific surface area of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals becomes undesirably smaller.


The porous carrier may be supported on a substrate, where 0.3 to 4 moles of the porous carrier can supported on 1 l of the substrate preferably from the viewpoint of NOx elimination activity. In case the amount of supported porous carrier is less than 0.3 moles, the dispersibility of active components becomes poor, whereas in case of more than 4 moles the specific surface area of the porous carrier itself becomes undesirably smaller.


Mn is present in the form of metal or an oxide or a composite oxide with Al, etc. and seems to serve to capture NOx in the oxidizing atmosphere and further serve to improve the high temperature durability of the catalyst. By inclusion of both of at least one member of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and Mn the NOx-capturing effect can be further improved.


An amount of supported Mn is preferably in a range of 0.05 to 2 parts by mole in terms of metal element on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier. In case the amount of supported Mn is less than 0.05 parts by mole, the effect is not remarkable, whereas in case of more tan 2 parts by mole the specific surface area of the catalyst becomes undesirably smaller.


Rh, Pt and Pd can enhance the elimination activity and high temperature durability. It is most desirable for the improvement of the activity and durability to contain all of these noble metals.


Amounts of supported noble metals are preferably in ranges of 0.002 to 0.05 parts by mole of Pt, 0.0003 to 0.01 part by mole of Rh and 0.001 to 0.2 parts by mole of Pd, all in terms of metal elements, on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier. In case the amount of supported noble metals are less than their lower limits the effect is not remarkable, whereas in case of more than the upper limits the specific surface areas of the noble metals per se become smaller without remarkable effect.


When at least one of rare earth metals is supported thereon in addition to the foregoing components, the NOx elimination activity and high temperature durability can be further improved, where it is preferable to contain 0.02 to 0.5 parts by mole of each in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier. In case of less than 0.02 parts by mole, the effect is not remarkable, whereas in case of more than 0.5 parts by mole the specific surface area of the catalyst becomes undesirably smaller. Preferable rare earth metals are La, Nd and Ce.


By further adding at least one of Ti and Si thereto, the NOx elimination efficiency and also the SOx resistance can be further improved. It seems that the effect of Ti and Si on the SOx resistance improvement is due to Ti and Si being formed into composite metals together with Mn, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. By further adding at least one of Co, Ni and Cu thereto, the NOx elimination activity and the heat resistance can be further improved. Amounts of supported Ti, Co, Si, Ni and Cu are preferably in a range of 0.01 to 2 parts by mole of each in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier.


The present catalyst can further contain at least one of B and P.


B and P are present in the form of simple substances or oxides or composite oxides with at least one member selected from alkali metals and Al, and seem to serve to capture NOx in the oxidizing atmosphere, play a role of attracting CO, hydrocarbons, etc. as reducing agents onto the catalyst surface and serve to further improve the heat resistance and the SOx resistance of the catalyst. By controlling mixing sequence of B or P or firing temperature, etc. during the catalyst preparation, they can be brought into the oxide form or the composite oxide form.


An amount of supported B or P is preferably in a range of 0.01 to 2 parts by mole of each in terms of elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier. In case of less than 0.01 part by mole of supported B or P the effect is not remarkable, whereas in case of more than 2 parts by mole the specific surface area of the catalyst becomes undesirably smaller.


The catalyst can be prepared by any procedure utilizing physical means or chemical reactions such as impregnation, kneading, coprecipitation, sol-gel formation, ion exchange, vapor deposition, etc.


Starting materials for use in the catalyst preparation include various compounds such as nitrate compounds, acetate compounds, complex compounds, hydroxides, carbonate compounds, organic compounds etc., metals and metal oxides.


For the porous carrier, metal oxides, composite oxides, etc. such as alumina, titania, silica, silica-alumina, zirconia, magnesia, etc. can be used, among which alumina is most preferable. The present catalyst can be used upon coating onto a substrate. Cordierite is a most suitable substrate, but even a metal such as stainless steel can be used as well.


The NOx elimination catalyst can be used in any form, for example, honeycomb form, pellet form, plate form, granule form, powder form, etc., among which the honeycomb form is most preferable.


The present catalyst has an effect of eliminating NOx contained in the exhaust gases emitted from internal combustion engines during the lean-burn operation with high elimination efficiency. The NOx elimination effect of the present catalyst seems due to an action of capturing NOx contained in the lean-burn exhaust gas on the catalyst surface, thereby eliminating NOx from the exhaust gas and an action of reducing the captured NOx, thereby eliminating it. Capturing of NOx seems to be effected by absorption, chemisorption, etc.


The exhaust gas during the lean-burn operation contain oxygen at a higher concentration than the stoichiometric amount necessary for complete combustion of reducing components (HC and CO) in the exhaust gas and thus is in an oxidizing atmosphere. The exhaust gas in an oxidizing atmosphere will be hereinafter referred to as “lean exhaust gas” or “air/fuel ratio-lean exhaust gas”. An exhaust gas emitted from internal combustion engines upon combustion in a theoretical air/fuel ratio will be hereinafter referred to as “stoichiometric exhaust gas” or “air/fuel ratio-stoichiometric exhaust gas”. An exhaust gas emitted from internal combustion engines operated in fuel excess over the theoretical air/fuel ratio contains oxygen at a lower concentration than the stoichiometric amount necessary for complete combustion of the reducing components contained in the exhaust gas and thus is in a reducing atmosphere. The exhaust gas in a reducing atmosphere will be hereinafter referred to as “rich exhaust gas” or “air/fuel ratio-rich exhaust gas”.


One embodiment of the present invention provides an exhaust gas purification apparatus provided with said catalyst in the exhaust gas passage from internal combustion engines in lean-burn operation.


Another embodiment of the present invention provides an exhaust gas purification process for purifying an exhaust gas emitted by lean-burn operation upon contacting the exhaust gas with said catalyst.


When the present catalyst is kept in continuous contact with an air/fuel ratio-lean exhaust gas, the NOx elimination efficiency will be gradually lowered, because the amount of captured NOx on the catalyst surface gradually increases, thereby weakening the capturing action. When the NOx elimination efficiency is so lowered, it is desirable to temporarily shift the lean-burn operation to a theoretical air/fuel ratio operation or a fuel excess operation, thereby bringing the air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas into a stoichiometric or fuel-rich exhaust gas, the NOx elimination action can proceed so actively that the NOx captured on the catalyst surface can be rapidly eliminated to regenerate the catalyst. Thus, when the operation is shifted again to the lean-burn operation once again, high NOx elimination efficiency can be obtained. The duration of the theoretical air/fuel ratio or fuel excess operation is only a few seconds to a few minutes.


The present catalyst can be used in combination with a combustion catalyst capable of combusting HC and CO. For the combustion catalyst capable of combusting HC and CO, it is desirable to use a catalyst comprising Pt and Rh supported on an alumina carrier or a catalyst comprising Ag and Mn supported on an alumina carrier. The combustion catalyst can be provided at a position upstream or downstream of the present catalyst or at both upstream and downstream positions.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exhaust gas purification apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 2 is a view showing an NOx elimination catalyst and a combustion catalyst provided in an exhaust gas passage from an automobile engine.





BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION


FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present exhaust gas purification apparatus.


In FIG. 1 are shown a lean-burn engine 99, a suction system comprising an air cleaner 1, an air flow sensor 2 and a throttle valve 3, an exhaust gas purification system comprising an oxygen concentration sensor 7, an exhaust gas temperature sensor 8, a catalyst outlet gas temperature sensor 9, an exhaust gas purification catalyst 10, etc., an engine control unit (ECU) 11, etc. ECU 11 comprises an I/O as an input/output interface, an LSI, a microprocessing unit (MPU), memory units RAM and ROM memorizing a large number of control programs, a timer/counter, etc.


Suction air to the engine is filtered through the air cleaner, then metered by the air flow sensor 2, passed through the throttle valve 3, subjected to fuel injection from an injector 5, and fed to the engine 99 as a mixed gas. Air flow sensor signals and other sensor signals are input into the ECU (Engine Control Unit) 11.


ECU evaluates the operating state of the internal combustion engine and the state of the exhaust gas purification catalyst and judges an operating air/fuel ratio, thereby controlling the injection time of the injector 5, etc. to set the fuel concentration of the mixed gas to a desired value. The mixed gas introduced into the cylinder is ignited by an ignition plug 6 controlled by a signal from ECU 11 and combusted. The combustion exhaust gas is led to the exhaust gas purification system. The exhaust gas purification system is provided by the exhaust gas purification catalyst 10, which eliminates NOx, HC and CO in the exhaust gas by its ternary catalyst function during the stoichiometric operation, and eliminates NOx by the NOx capturing function and also eliminates HC and CO by the combustion function at the same time during the lean operation. The NOx elimination activity of the exhaust gas purification catalyst is always determined during the lean operation by the judgement of EUC and control signals to shift the air/fuel ratio, etc. to the fuel-rich state during the combustion, when the NOx elimination activity is lowered, thereby regaining the NOx capturing action of the catalyst. By the foregoing operations, the exhaust gas can be effectively purified under all the engine combustion conditions of lean operation and stoichiometric operation (including the fuel-rich operation). An A/F sensor can be used in place of the oxygen concentration sensor 7.



FIG. 2 shows the case of providing a hydrocarbon and CO combustion catalyst downstream of the exhaust gas purification catalyst 10. In FIG. 2, the remaining hydrocarbon and CO as not eliminated by the exhaust gas purification catalyst are eliminated by the combustion catalyst 20.


The present invention will be described in detail below, referring to Examples, which are not limitative of the present invention.


EXAMPLE 1

A cordierite honeycomb (400 cells/inc2) was coated with a slurry prepared from alumina powder and alumina precursor and made acidic by nitric acid, dried and fired to obtain an alumina coat honeycomb as coated with 1.5 moles of alumina per 1 l of the apparent honeycomb volume. The alumina coat honeycomb was impregnated with a mixed solution of dinitrodiamine Pt nitric acid solution and Rh nitrate solution, dried at 200° C. and then fired at 600° C. Then, the supported Pt and Rh-contained honeycomb was impregnated with a mixed solution of Na nitrate solution, Mn nitrate solution and Pd nitrate solution, dried at 200° C. and then fired at 600° C. Thus, Example catalyst 1 containing 0.0022 parts by mole of Rh, 0.014 parts by mole of Pt, 0.8 parts by mole of Na, 0.2 parts by mole of Mn and 0.014 parts by mole of Pd in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina was prepared. The catalyst will be hereinafter expressed as 0.8 NaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3. Likewise, Example Catalysts 2 to 9, which contained 0.8 parts by mole each of Li, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, respectively, as supported in place of Na, while changing the amounts of supported Mn, Pd, Rh and Pt, and Example Catalysts 10 to 41 containing at least two members of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals without changing the amounts of supported Mn, Pd, Rh and Pt were prepared. In the same manner as for Example Catalyst 1, Comparative Example Catalysts 1 to 9 containing 0.0022 parts by mole of Rh, 0.014 parts by mole of Pt, 0.014 parts by mole of Pd and 0.8 parts by mole of each of Na, Li, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba in terms of metal elements respectively, as supported on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina, without containing Mn, and likewise Comparative Example Catalysts 10 to 14 containing at least two members of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals without containing Mn and without changing the amounts of supported Pd, Rh and Pt, were prepared as Comparative Example Catalysts.


TEST EXAMPLE 1
Test Procedure

The foregoing catalysts were subjected to an NOx elimination test under the following conditions.


6 cc of the honeycomb catalyst was set into a quartz glass reactor tube. The reactor tube was inserted into an electric furnace and heat controlled so that the gas introduced into the reactor tube could be set to temperatures of 300° C., 400° C. and 500° C. The following gases were introduced into the reactor tube: a model gas, i.e. an assumed exhaust gas as would be emitted from an automobile engine operated in the theoretical air/fuel ratio (which will be hereinafter referred to as “stoichiometric model gas”) and a model gas, i.e. an assumed exhaust gas as would be emitted from a lean-burn operated automobile engine (which will be hereinafter referred to as “lean model gas”), where these two model gases were introduced into the reactor tube upon switching from one to another at every 3 minutes. The stoichiometric model gas had such a composition as NOx: 1,000 ppm, C3H6: 600 ppm, CO: 0.6%, CO2: 12%, O2: 0.5%, H2: 0.3%, H2O: 10%, and N2: the balance. The lean model gas had such a composition as NOx: 600 ppm, C3H6: 500 ppm, CO: 0.1%, CO2: 10%, O2: 5%, H2O: 10% and N2: the balance. NOx concentration was measured at the inlet to and the outlet from the catalyst, and NOx elimination efficiency one minute after switching to the lean model gas was calculated according to the following equation:

NOx elimination efficiency (%)=(NOx concentration of inlet gas−NOx concentration of outlet gas)+NOx concentration of inlet gas×100


Test for determining the NOx elimination efficiency as mentioned above will be referred to as Test Example 1.


Test Results

Test results of Example Catalysts 1 to 41 and Comparative Catalysts 1 to 14 according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 1. In the fuel-rich burn operation, all the catalysts constantly had an NOx elimination efficiency of 90% or more at 300° C. and 100% at 400° C., showing the satisfactory ternary catalyst activity. In case of the present catalysts, the NOx elimination efficiency was not changed during both of the lean-burn operation and the stoichiometric burn operation even after a plurality of switched operations. The HC and CO elimination efficiency during the lean-burn operation was 90% or more. Example Catalyst containing at least one member of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and all of Mn and Rh, Pt and Pd had evidently higher NOx elimination efficiencies than those of Comparative Example Catalysts.











TABLE 1









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example Catalyst 1
0.8NaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
88
92
87


Example Catalyst 2
0.8LiMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
86
88
71


Example Catalyst 3
0.8KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82
96
91


Example Catalyst 4
0.8RbMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
87
97
94


Example Catalyst 5
0.8CsMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
83
99
95


Example Catalyst 6
0.8MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
71
85
63


Example Catalyst 7
0.8CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82
93
75


Example Catalyst 8
0.8SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82
92
80


Example Catalyst 9
0.8BaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
73
71
54


Example Catalyst 10
0.2Li0.6NaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82
91
73


Example Catalyst 11
0.4Li0.4KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
85
94
92


Example Catalyst 12
0.4Li0.4RbMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
75
77
69


Example Catalyst 13
0.4Li0.4CsMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
85
93
91


Example Catalyst 14
0.6Li0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
72
61
50


Example Catalyst 15
0.4Li0.4CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
75
91
77


Example Catalyst 16
0.4Li0.4SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
84
90
75


Example Catalyst 17
0.4Li0.4BaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
72
70
55


Example Catalyst 18
0.8Na0.6KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
91
90
93


Example Catalyst 19
0.8Na0.4RbMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
85
80
81


Example Catalyst 20
0.8Na0.4CsMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
86
90
85


Example Catalyst 21
0.8Na0.75MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
92
99
94


Example Catalyst 22
0.8Na0.4CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
80
90
71


Example Catalyst 23
0.4Na0.2SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
89
87
81


Example Catalyst 24
0.4K0.2CsMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
95
98
85


Example Catalyst 25
0.4K0.4RbMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
81
85
73


Example Catalyst 26
0.4K0.4CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
80
80
63


Example Catalyst 27
0.6K0.4SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82
86
75


Example Catalyst 28
0.6K0.4BaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
80
76
77


Example Catalyst 29
0.3Cs0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
85
90
85


Example Catalyst 30
0.3Cs0.2CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82
85
80


Example Catalyst 31
0.3Cs0.4SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
86
88
75


Example Catalyst 32
0.3Cs0.4BaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
73
85
80


Example Catalyst 33
0.4Sr0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
88
90
82


Example Catalyst 34
0.4Sr0.4CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
81
85
78


Example Catalyst 35
0.4Sr0.4BaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
71
82
77


Example Catalyst 36
0.4Li1.2Na0.6KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
98
99
91


Example Catalyst 37
0.8Na0.2Ca0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
80
87
75


Example Catalyst 38
0.4Na0.15Sr0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
83
88
78


Example Catalyst 39
0.4Na0.15Sr0.2CaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
76
80
70


Example Catalyst 40
0.4Li0.4K0.2SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
88
93
90


Example Catalyst 41
0.4Li0.4Na0.4K0.2CsMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
95
98
95


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 1
0.8NaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
67
63
35


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 2
0.8LiPd—RhPt/Al2O3
68
51
35


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 3
0.8KPd—RhPt/Al2O3
58
57
42


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 4
0.8RbPd—RhPt/Al2O3
40
59
47


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 5
0.8CsPd—RhPt/Al2O3
35
61
50


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 6
0.8MgPd—RhPt/Al2O3
50
38
23


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 7
0.8CaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
58
52
28


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 8
0.8SrPd—RhPt/Al2O3
51
57
36


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 9
0.8BaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
57
51
32


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 10
0.8Na0.1MgPd—RhPt/Al2O3
52
60
40


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 11
0.4Sr0.4BaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
49
61
29


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 12
0.6K0.4BaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
55
53
30


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 13
0.8Na0.2Ca0.1MgPd—RhPt/Al2O3
51
55
40


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 14
0.4Na0.15Sr0.2CaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
54
49
36









TEST EXAMPLE 2
Test Procedure

Example Catalyst 1, 3, 8, 11, 18, 21, 33, 36, 38 and 40, and Comparative Example Catalyst 1 to 5, 11 and 13 were fired at 800° C. for 5 hours, and then subjected to the test in the same test procedure as Test Example 1.


Test Results

Test results are shown in Table 2. The present catalysts had evidently higher NOx elimination efficiencies than those of Comparative Example Catalysts and had distinguished high temperature durabilities.











TABLE 2









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example Catalyst 1
0.8NaMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
73
85
73


Example Catalyst 3
0.8KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
75
80
70


Example Catalyst 8
0.8SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
78
80
69


Example Catalyst 11
0.4Li0.4KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
80
85
84


Example Catalyst 18
0.8Na0.6KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
79
82
87


Example Catalyst 21
0.8Na0.075MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
88
91
89


Example Catalyst 33
0.4Sr0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
72
79
69


Example Catalyst 36
0.4Li1.2Na0.6KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
83
93
88


Example Catalyst 38
0.4Na0.15Sr0.1MgMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
75
81
72


Example Catalyst 40
0.4Li0.4K0.2SrMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
80
76
69


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 1
0.8NaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
41
40
15


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 2
0.8LiPd—RhPt/Al2O3
35
39
21


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 3
0.8KPd—RhPt/Al2O3
45
48
35


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 4
0.8RbPd—RhPt/Al2O3
33
49
34


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 5
0.8CsPd—RhPt/Al2O3
35
33
21


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 11
0.4Sr0.4BaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
24
40
22


Comp. Ex. Catalyst 13
0.8Na0.2Ca0.1MgPd—RhPt/Al2O3
38
40
31









EXAMPLE 2

In the same manner as in Example 1, Example Catalysts 42 to 47 were prepared by adding Cu, Co or Ni to Example Catalysts 21 and 36, respectively, and evaluated according to Test Example 1. Amounts of supported Cu, Co and Ni were 0.1 part by mole each in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina.


Test Results

Test results are shown in Table 3. Example Catalysts containing Co, Ni or Cu had higher activities than those of Comparative Example Catalysts 1 to 14 shown in Table 1.











TABLE 3









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example Catalyst 42
NaMgMnPd—RhPt0.1Cu/Al2O3
93
99
96


Example Catalyst 43
NaMgMnPd—RhPt0.1Co/Al2O3
94
99
95


Example Catalyst 44
NaMgMnPd—RhPt0.1Ni/Al2O3
95
99
97


Example Catalyst 45
LiNaKMnPd—RhPt0.1Cu/Al2O3
87
95
93


Example Catalyst 46
LiNaKMnPd—RhPt0.1Co/Al2O3
86
96
94


Example Catalyst 47
LiNaKMnPd—RhPt0.1Ni/Al2O3
84
99
93









EXAMPLE 3

In the same manner as in Example 1, Example Catalysts 48 to 51 were prepared by adding Ti or Si to Example Catalysts 21 and 36, respectively. Amounts of supported Ti and Si were 0.1 parts by mole each in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina.


TEST EXAMPLE 3
Test Procedure

In Test Example 1, only an SO2-added lean gas was passed through the reaction tube. An amount of SO2 added to the lean gas was 0.01%. Then, an NOx elimination efficiency was determined according to the procedure of Test Example 1. Test temperature was 400° C.


Test Results

Test results of Example Catalysts 48 to 51 and Comparative Example Catalysts 1 and 3 according to Test Example 3 are shown in Table 4. Example Catalysts 48 to 51 had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than those of Comparative Example Catalysts 1 and 3 and also had a good SOx durability.











TABLE 4









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example
NaMgMnPd0.1Ti—RhPt/Al2O3
61
68
58


Catalyst


48


Example
NaMgMnPd0.1Si—RhPt/Al2O3
59
62
55


Catalyst


49


Example
LiNaKMnPd0.1Ti—RhPt/Al2O3
70
75
71


Catalyst


50


Example
LiNaKMnPd0.1Si—RhPt/Al2O3
65
70
58


Catalyst


51


Comp. Ex.
0.8 NaPd—RhPt/Al2O3
28
32
15


Catalyst 1


Comp. Ex.
0.8 KPd—RhPt/Al2O3
20
24
32


Catalyst 3









EXAMPLE 4

In the same manner as in Example 1, Example Catalysts 52 to 60 were prepared by adding 0.2 parts by mole of Ce, La or Nd in terms of metal elements to Example Catalysts 36, 48 and 50, respectively, on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina. Test was the same as in Test Example 2.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined according to Test Example 2 are shown in Table 5. Example Catalysts 52 to 60 had evidently higher NOx elimination efficiencies than those of Comparative Example Catalysts shown in Table 2 and had good high temperature durabilities.











TABLE 5









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example Catalyst 52
LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—0.2Ce/Al2O3
88
95
91


Example Catalyst 53
LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—0.2La/Al2O3
83
96
89


Example Catalyst 54
LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—0.2Nd/Al2O3
85
93
90


Example Catalyst 55
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—0.2Ce/Al2O3
93
95
85


Example Catalyst 56
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—0.2La/Al2O3
88
92
87


Example Catalyst 57
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—0.2Nd/Al2O3
90
91
91


Example Catalyst 58
LiNaKMnPdTi—RhPt—0.2Ce/Al2O3
95
97
94


Example Catalyst 59
LiNaKMnPdTi—RhPt—0.2La/Al2O3
82
91
91


Example Catalyst 60
LiNaKMnPdTi—RhPt—0.2Nd/Al2O3
80
91
80









EXAMPLE 5

In the same manner as in Example 1, Example Catalysts 61 to 66 were prepared by omitting one of the noble metals from Example Catalysts 52 and 58. Test was the same as in Test Example 2.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined according to Test Example 2 are shown in Table 6. Example Catalysts 61 to 66 had evidently higher NOx elimination efficiencies than those of Comparative Example catalysts shown in Table 2 and had good high temperature durabilities.











TABLE 6









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example
LiNaKMnPd—Pt—Ce/Al2O3
79
86
73


Catalyst


61


Example
LiNaKMnPd—RhCe/Al2O3
73
86
77


Catalyst


62


Example
LiNaKMn—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
70
86
80


Catalyst


63


Example
LiNaKMnPdTi—Pt—Ce/Al2O3
86
90
78


Catalyst


64


Example
LiNaKMnPdTi—Rh—Ce/Al2O3
89
90
80


Catalyst


65


Example
LiNaKMnTi—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
79
91
83


Catalyst


66









EXAMPLE 6

In the same manner as in Example 1, Example Catalysts 67 to 72 were prepared by adding 0.1 part by mole of at least one of P and B in terms of elements to Example Catalysts 52 and 58, respectively, on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina. Test was the same as in Test Example 2.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined according to Test Example 2 are shown in Table 7. Example Catalysts 67 to 72 had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than those of Comparative Example Catalysts shown in Table 2 and had good high temperature durabilities.











TABLE 7









NOx elimination



efficiency (%)










Catalyst
300° C.
400° C.
500° C.














Example Catalyst 67
LiNaKMnPd0.1P—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
88
87
94


Example Catalyst 68
LiNaKMnPd0.1B—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
83
82
95


Example Catalyst 69
LiNaKMnPd0.1P0.1B—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
85
81
92


Example Catalyst 70
LiNaKMnPdTi0.1P—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
81
93
92


Example Catalyst 71
LiNaKMnPdTi0.1B—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
80
83
87


Example Catalyst 72
LiNaKMnPdTi0.1P0.1B—RhPt—Ce/Al2O3
80
86
97









EXAMPLE 7

In the same manner as in Example 1, Catalysts containing 0.1 part by mole of Ti in terms of metal element on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina were prepared by adding Ti to Example Catalysts 11 and 33 and catalysts were also prepared by changing Mn contents of Example Catalysts 36 and 48. Test was the same as in Test Example 1.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 8. The catalysts containing 0.05 to 2 parts by mole of supported Mn in terms of metal element had high NOx elimination efficiencies than 80%, showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 8






NOx elimination

NOx elimination



efficiency

efficiency


Catalysts
(%), 400° C.
Catalysts
(%), 400° C.







LiKPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
73
LiNaKPd—RhPt/Al2O3
70


LiK0.02MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
75
LiNaK0.2MnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
75


LiK0.05MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
83
LiNaK0.05MnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82


LiK0.2MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
92
LiNaK0.2MnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
99


LiK0.4MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
98
LiNaK0.4MnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
99


LiK1.4MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
90
LiNaK1.4MnPdRhPt/Al2O3
93


LiK2MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
82
LiNaK2MnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
86


LiK3MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
68
LiNaK3MnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
71


SrMgPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
69
NaMgPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
71


SrMg0.02MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
75
NaMg0.02MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
73


SrMg0.05MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
81
NaMg0.05MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
81


SrMg0.2MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
85
NaMg0.2MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
96


SrMg0.4MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
93
NaMg0.4MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
93


SrMg1.4MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
88
NaMg1.4MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
88


SrMg2MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
83
NaMg2MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
83


SrMg3MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
62
NaMg3MnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
65









EXAMPLE 8

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts containing 0.1 part by mole of Ti in terms of metal element on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina were prepared by adding Ti to Example Catalysts 11 and 33, and catalysts whose K and Sr contents were further changed in the prepared catalysts and catalysts whose K and Na contents were changed in Example Catalysts 36 and 48 were also prepared. Test was the same as in Test Example 1.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 9. The catalysts having K, Sr and Na contents of 0.05 to 3 parts by mole each had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than 80% at 400° C., showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 9






NOx elimination

NOx elimination



efficiency

efficiency


Catalysts
(%), 400° C.
Catalysts
(%), 400° C.







Li0.02KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
72
LiNa0.02KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
70


Li0.05KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
81
LiNa0.05KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
84


Li0.4KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
92
LiNa0.4KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
99


Li1.5KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
96
LiNa0.6KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
99


Li2.2KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
89
LiNa1.5KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
90


Li3KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
83
LiNa3KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
82


Li4KMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
69
LiNa4KMnPd—RhPt/Al2O3
73


0.02SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
73
0.02NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
62


0.05SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
81
0.05NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
81


0.4SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
85
0.5NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
88


0.6SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
88
0.8NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
96


1.5SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
83
2NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
90


3SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
81
3NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
84


4SrMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
62
4NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/Al2O3
76









EXAMPLE 9

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts whose Rh, Pt and Pd contents were changed in Example Catalyst 48 were prepared. Test was the same as in Test Example 1.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 10. The catalysts containing 0.002 to 0.05 parts by mole of Pt, 0.0003 to 0.01 part by mole of Rh and 0.001 to 0.2 parts by mole of Pd in terms of metal elements as amounts of supported Rh, Pt and Pd had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than 80% at 400° C., showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 10






NOx elimination

NOx elimination



efficiency

efficiency


Catalysts
(%), 400° C.
Catalysts
(%), 400° C.







NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0003Rh0.001Pt/Al2O3
60
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0003Rh0.001Pt/Al2O3
76


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.01Rh0.001Pt/Al2O3
68
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.01Rh0.001Pt/Al2O3
74


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0001Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
62
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0001Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
73


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0003Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
84
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0003Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
83


NaMgMn0.001Pdti—0.0022Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
90
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0022Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
92


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.01Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
81
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.01Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
84


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.02Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
73
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.02Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
76


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0003Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
85
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0003Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
86


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0022Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
95
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0022Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
96


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.01Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
84
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.01Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
87


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0001Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
75
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0001Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
75


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0003Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
81
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0003Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
82


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0022Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
88
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0022Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
95


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.01Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
84
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.01Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
88


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.02Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
75
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.02Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
75


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.0003Rh0.07Pt/Al2O3
72
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.0003Rh0.07Pt/Al2O3
73


NaMgMn0.001PdTi—0.01Rh0.07Pt/Al2O3
73
NaMgMn0.014PdTi—0.01Rh0.07Pt/Al2O3
71


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0003Rh0.001Pt/Al2O3
63
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0001Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
74


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.01Rh0.001Pt/Al2O3
66
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0003Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
82


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0001Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
68
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0022Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
88


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0003Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
81
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.01Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
81


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0022Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
90
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.02Rh0.05Pt/Al2O3
77


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.01Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
83
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0003Rh0.07Pt/Al2O3
76


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.02Rh0.002Pt/Al2O3
71
NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.01Rh0.07Pt/Al2O3
78


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0003Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
84
NaMgMn0.0005PdTi—0.0022Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
70


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.0022Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
93
NaMgMn0.3PdTi—0.0022Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
71


NaMgMn0.2PdTi—0.01Rh0.014Pt/Al2O3
87









EXAMPLE 10

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts were prepared by adding Ce, La or Nd to Example Catalysts 36 and 48 and by further changing their contents. Test was the same as in Test Example 2.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 2 are shown in Table 11. The catalysts containing 0.02 to 0.5 parts by mole of supported Ce, La and Nd in terms of metal elements had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than 80% at 400° C. after heating at 800° C. for 5 hours, showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 11






NOx

NOx



elimination

elimination



efficiency

efficiency


Catalysts
(%), 400° C.
Catalysts
(%), 400° C.







LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
75
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
76


0.01Ce/Al2O3

0.01Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
82
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
87


0.02Ce/Al2O3

0.02Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
95
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
95


0.2Ce/Al2O3

0.2Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
91
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
94


0.5Ce/Al2O3

0.5Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
73
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
71


0.8Ce/Al2O3

0.8Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
75
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
76


0.01La/Al2O3

0.01La/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
85
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
85


0.02La/Al2O3

0.02La/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
96
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
92


0.2La/Al2O3

0.2La/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
88
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
82


0.5La/Al2O3

0.5La/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
74
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
63


0.8La/Al2O3

0.8La/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
66
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
70


0.01Nd/Al2O3

0.01Nd/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
81
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
82


0.02Nd/Al2O3

0.2Nd/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
93
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
91


0.2Nd/Al2O3

0.2Nd/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
84
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
84


0.5Nd/Al2O3

0.5Nd/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
69
NaMgMnPdti—RhPt—
75


0.8Nd/Al2O3

0.8Nd/Al2O3









EXAMPLE 11

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts were prepared by adding Cu, Co or Ni to Example Catalysts 36 and 48 and by further changing their contents.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 12. The catalysts containing 0.01 to 2 parts by mole of Cu, Co or Ni in terms of metal elements had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than 80% at 400° C., showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 12






NOx

NOx



elimination

elimination



efficiency

efficiency


Catalysts
(%), 400° C.
Catalysts
(%), 400° C.







LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
75
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
76


0.005Cu/Al2O3

0.005Cu/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
85
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
82


0.01Cu/Al2O3

0.01Cu/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
92
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
87


0.1Cu/Al2O3

0.1Cu/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
96
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
91


0.2Cu/Al2O3

0.2Cu/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
81
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
83


2Cu/Al2O3

2Cu/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
70
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
74


3Cu/Al2O3

3Cu/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
71
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
71


0.005Co/Al2O3

0.005Co/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
81
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
88


0.01Co/Al2O3

0.01Co/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
94
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
94


0.1Co/Al2O3

0.1Co/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
97
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
98


0.2Co/Al2O3

0.2Co/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
81
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
83


2Co/Al2O3

2Co/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
77
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
71


3Co/Al2O3

3Co/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
71
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
74


0.005Ni/Al2O3

0.005Ni/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
83
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
81


0.01Ni/Al2O3

0.01Ni/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
84
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
82


0.1Ni/Al2O3

0.1Ni/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
86
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
83


0.2Ni/Al2O3

0.2Ni/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
83
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
83


2Ni/Al2O3

2Ni/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt—
76
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt—
76


3Ni/Al2O3

3Ni/Al2O3









EXAMPLE 12

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts were prepared by adding Ti or Si to Example Catalyst 36 while changing its contents, and also by changing Ti content of Example Catalyst 48 or by adding Si to Example Catalyst 48 while changing its content.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 3 are shown in Table 13. The catalysts containing 0.01 to 2 parts by mole of supported Ti or Si in terms of metal elements had a higher NOx elimination efficiency than 50% at 400C after SOx poisoning, showing high NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 13






NOx

NOx



elimi—

elimi—



nation

nation



efficiency

efficiency



(%),

(%),


Catalysts
400° C.
Catalysts
400° C.







LiNaKMnPd—0.005
39
NaMgMnPd0.005Ti—
43


Ti— RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.01Ti—
54
NaMgMnPd0.01Ti—
57


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.1Ti—
75
NaMgMnPd0.1Ti—
68


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.2Ti—
79
NaMgMnPd0.2Ti—
76


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd2Ti—
58
NaMgMnPd2Ti—
51


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd3Ti—
43
NaMgMnPd3Ti—
34


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.005Si—
46
NaMgMnPd0.005Si—
41


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.01Si—
64
NaMgMnPd0.01Si—
54


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.1Si—
70
NaMgMnPd0.1Si—
62


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd0.2Si—
62
NaMgMnPd0.2Si—
60


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd2Si—
53
NaMgMnPd2Si—
56


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd3Si—
39
NaMgMnPd3Si—
39


RhPt/Al2O3

RhPt/Al2O3









EXAMPLE 13

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts were prepared by changing P and B contents of Example Catalysts 70 and 71. Test was the same as in Test Example 2.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 500° C. according to Test Example 2 are shown in Table 14. The catalyst containing 0.01 to 2 parts by mole of supported P or B in terms of elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than 80% at 500° C. after heating at 800° C. for 5 hours, showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 14






NOx

NOx



elimi-

elimi-



nation

nation



efficiency

efficiency



(%),

(%),


Catalysts
400° C.
Catalysts
400° C.







LiNaKMnPdTi0.01
95
LiNaKMnPdTi0.01
95


P— RhPt—Ce/Al2O3

B— RhPt—Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPdTiP—
92
LiNaKMnPdTi1B—
88


RhPt—Ce/Al2O3

RhPt—Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPdTi2P—
86
LiNaKMnPdTi2B—
81


RhPt—Ce/Al2O3

RhPt—Ce/Al2O3


LiNaKMnPdTi3P—
73
LiNaKMnPdTi3B—
71


RhPt—Ce/Al2O3

RhPt—Ce/Al2O3









EXAMPLE 14

In the same manner as in Example 1, catalysts were prepared by changing only amounts of coating per l of the honeycomb in Example Catalysts 36 and 48 without changing amounts of other supported components on Al2O3.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 15. The catalysts containing 0.3 to 4 moles of Al2O3 coating/l of honeycomb in terms of Al2O3 had higher NOx elimination efficiencies than 80% at 400° C., showing good NOx elimination efficiencies.












TABLE 15






NOx

NOx



elimination

elimination



efficiency

efficiency


Catalysts
(%), 400° C.
Catalysts
(%), 400° C.







LiNaKMnPd—RhPt/
64
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/
77


0.1Al2O3

0.1Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt/
82
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/
84


0.3Al2O3

0.3Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt/
99
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/
96


1.5Al2O3

1.5Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt/
90
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/
84


3Al2O3

3Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt/
86
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/
81


4Al2O3

4Al2O3


LiNaKMnPd—RhPt/
70
NaMgMnPdTi—RhPt/
61


6Al2O3

6Al2O3









EXAMPLE 15

As a hydrocarbon and CO combustion catalyst, a catalyst containing only Rh and Pt supported on an alumina coat honeycomb was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, where Rh and Pt contents were 0.002 parts by mole of Rh and 0.01 part by mole of Pt in terms of metal elements on the basis of 1.5 parts by mole of alumina. Test was the same as in Test Example 1, and hydrocarbon and CO elimination efficiencies were determined by providing the combustion catalyst upstream or downstream of Example Catalyst 36 or 48 or with no provision of the combustion catalyst. Test temperature was 400° C.


Test Results

NOx elimination efficiencies determined at 400° C. according to Test Example 1 are shown in Table 16. Hydrocarbon and CO elimination efficiencies were improved by providing the combustion catalyst.












TABLE 16







C3H6 elimination
CO elimination



efficiency (%),
efficiency (%),



400° C.
400° C.


















Example Catalyst 36




Hydrocarbon and CO combustion
93
94


catalyst not provided


Hydrocarbon and CO combustion
98
99


catalyst provided upstream


Hydrocarbon and CO combustion
99
100


catalyst provided downstream


Example Catalyst 48


Hydrocarbon and CO combustion
92
94


catalyst not provided


Hydrocarbon and CO combustion
99
97


catalyst provided upstream


Hydrocarbon and CO combustion
99
100


catalyst provided downstream









As described in detail above, nitrogen oxides can be eliminated with high efficiency in an oxygen excess atmosphere according to the present invention. The present catalyst has distinguished heat resistance and SOx resistance, so that a high elimination activity can be maintained for a long time.


INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Automobile exhaust gases are now on a trend toward global emission regulation and fuel economy regulation and it is expectable that the market for lean-burn automobiles will surely expand. For the automobile exhaust gas purification catalysts, ternary catalysts have been so far used, but have failed to eliminate NOx contained in the exhaust gases emitted from lean-burn automobiles. The present exhaust gas purification catalyst can eliminate NOx contained in the exhaust gases emitted from the lean-burn automobiles with high elimination efficiency and ensures a very high industrial applicability.

Claims
  • 1. A lean NOx elimination catalyst used in an internal combustion engine wherein a lean-burn operation is able to shift to fuel-excess operation or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation, wherein the catalyst comprises a porous carrier and an active component supported on the porous carrier, the active components comprising: (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pt and Pd; (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal; and (c) Mn, amounts of supported active metals being 0.0003 to 0.01 part by mole of Rh if present, 0.002 to 0.05 parts by mole of Pt if present, 0.001 to 0.2 part by mole of Pd if present, 0.05 to 3 parts by mole of the alkali metal if present, 0.05 to 3 parts by mole of alkaline earth metal if present and 0.05 to 2 parts by mole of Mn based on 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier.
  • 2. A lean NOx elimination catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the active component comprises Rh, Pt and Pd.
  • 3. A lean NOx elimination catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the active component further comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ti and Si, each if present being in supported amount of 0.01 to 2 parts by mole based on 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier.
  • 4. A lean NOx elimination catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the active component further comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co and Cu, each if present being in supported amount of 0.01 to 2 parts by mole based on 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier.
  • 5. A lean NOx elimination catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the active component further comprises at least one rare earth metal in a supported amount of 0.02 to 0.5 parts by mole based on 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier.
  • 6. A lean NOx elimination catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the active component further comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of P and B, each if present being in supported amount of 0.01 to 2 parts by mole based on 1.5 parts by mole of the porous carrier.
  • 7. lean NOx elimination catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the porous carrier is supported on a substrate, and has an amount of 0.3 to 4 moles based on 1 l of the substrate.
  • 8. An internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification apparatus, which comprises an exhaust gas purification catalyst of claim 1.
  • 9. A lean NOx elimination catalyst used in an internal combustion engine wherein a lean-burn operation is able to shift to a fuel-excess operation or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation, wherein the catalyst comprises a porous carrier and active components supported on the same porous carrier, the active components comprising (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pt and Pd, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, (c) Mn, (d) Ti, and (e) at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ce, La and Nd.
  • 10. An internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification apparatus, which comprises an exhaust gas purification catalyst of claim 9.
  • 11. A lean NOx elimination catalyst used in an internal combustion engine wherein a lean-burn operation is able to shift to a fuel-excess operation or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation, wherein the catalyst comprises a porous carrier and active components supported on the same porous carrier, the active components comprising (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pt and Pd, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, (c) Mn, (f) Ce, and (g) at least one member selected from the group consisting of P and B.
  • 12. An internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification apparatus, which comprises an exhaust gas purification catalyst of claim 11.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
10-352272 Dec 1998 JP national
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/529,636, filed Apr. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,115, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP99/06951, filed Dec. 10. 1999.

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Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20030202925 A1 Oct 2003 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09529636 Apr 2000 US
Child 10419884 US