Molten Salts Supported on Ceramic Foam in the Potential Application of a Diesel Soot Abatement Technology

The physical state of a heterogeneous soot oxidation catalyst has a big impact on their performance. Contact between soot and solid catalysts is one of the key parameters for soot oxidation. Catalyst formulations based on low eutectic melting points were studied. Formulation based on cesiumsulfate and vanadiumoxide, became active at their melting point of 320-350 °C. Ceramic foam can act as support for the liquid catalyst as well as a deep filter for the soot.

Downstream of a small diesel engine a balance temperature of 350 °C was established with an initial trapping efficiency of 40 %. Stable pressure drop over the system was maintained over a period of more than 24 hours.