Structured Catalysts for Soot Combustion for Diesel Engines

Abstract

During the last decade, diesel engines have increased in popularity compared to gasoline engines because of their superior fuel economy, reliability and durability, simultaneously associated with a favorable fuel tax situation in several countries. At present, around 60% of all new European cars are equipped with diesel engines [1,2]. However, the emission from this kind of engines includes important contaminants, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) being the ones of major concern. PM consists mostly of carbonaceous soot and a soluble organic fraction (SOF) of hydrocarbons condensed on the soot. Both PM and nitric oxides are known harmful compounds that affect human health and produce acid rain and photochemical smog, causing severe environmental problems.