ASSESSMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE SULFATE EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

This report includes a literature search to determine possible reactions involving sulfur in automotive exhaust systems, an assessment of the effect of various operating parameters (i.e. exhaust oxygen level) on the level of sulfate emissions, and a feasibility study on the use of sorbents as traps to eliminate sulfate from the exhaust gas before release to the atmosphere. It was discovered in the study that exhaust oxygen level and catalyst age were major variables affecting level of sulfate emissions. Other variables, such as noble metal composition, noble metal loading, catalyst temperature and residence time of the exhaust gas over the catalyst had little or no significant effect on sulfate emissions. It was also discovered that only calcium based materials (such as calcium oxide) removed sulfate efficiently enough with little physical degradation during laboratory testing of potential sorbents. Vehicle tests using the most promising sorbents as traps showed high sulfate removal but with unacceptably high exhaust back pressures.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Prepared for Environmental Protection Agency, Ann Arbor, Mich. Emission Control Technology Div.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Exxon Research and Engineering Company

    US Highway 1 and Park Avenue
    Linden, NJ  United States  07036

    Environmental Protection Agency

    Emission Control Technology Division, 2565 Plymounth Road
    Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
  • Authors:
    • Bachman, K C
    • Holt, E L
    • Leppard, W R
    • Wigg, E E
  • Publication Date: 1976-5

Media Info

  • Pagination: 217 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00145883
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
  • Report/Paper Numbers: EPA/460/3-76/017
  • Contract Numbers: EPA-68-03-0497
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 16 1977 12:00AM