CATALYZED PARTICULATE OXIDIZER FOR REDUCING PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM A DIESEL ENGINE AND METHOD

摘要

Operation of a diesel engine with low particulate emissions is achieved through the use of a catalyzed particulate oxidizer (14) designed to cause a large number of impacts of particulates with catalyzed surfaces. The catalyzed particulate oxidizer (14) can be precatalyzed or uncatalyzed initially, but catalyzed during use by a catalyst fed prior to or after combustion in the engine. Preferably, the fuel will contain a catalytic additive (29), such as diphenyl cyclooctadiene platinum (II) or platinum acetylacetonate and/or a fuel soluble organo-metallic compound of cerium, iron, copper or manganese. Alternatively, the platinum group metal or other catalytic compound can be added to the exhaust or combustion air. The catalyzed particulate oxidizer has a plurality of parallel plates having catalyzed undulating surfaces provided to create a large number of contact points for the particulates in the exhaust gas.