Deactivation of Cu/Zeolite SCR Catalyst under Lean-Rich Aging Conditions

A lean-rich hydrothermal aging was used to study the deactivation of Cu-zeolite SCR catalyst that has enhanced stability. Impact of DOC upstream on the SCR catalyst during the lean-rich aging was also investigated. The LR hydrothermal aging was conducted with the presence of hydrocarbon, CO and H₂ at different O₂ levels. It was found that the SCR catalyst was active for the oxidation of CO, H₂ and hydrocarbon, resulting in significant exotherm across the catalyst. In addition to hydrothermal aging, reductive aging, especially the presence of H₂ in the aging gas stream without O₂ presence during the L-R aging, might also contribute to the Cu/zeolite SCR catalyst deactivation. The impacts of DOC upstream on Cu/zeolite SCR catalysts depended on the aging temperatures. At lower aging temperature, the uncompleted oxidation of hydrocarbon and CO on the DOC might cause steam reforming and water-gas shift reactions on the DOC to form reductive gas stream. The reductive gas stream might cause extra deactivation on the SCR in addition to the hydrothermal aging. At higher aging temperature, the downstream SCR catalyst seemed to be protected by the upstream DOC due to the completed oxidation of hydrocarbon and CO on the DOC.