Reduction of carbonaceous particulate emissions in vehicle exhausts

摘要

Carbonaceous particulates ('soot') containing rare-earths are treated by contact at 200-400 deg.C with an O2-contg. gas whose O2 partial pressure is at least 3% of atmospheric. Also claimed are: (1) Fuel additive comprising a cpd. of a rare-earth of oxidation state greater than three and a cpd. of a transition metal or another rare-earth; and (2) soot made by combustion of fuel containing this additive.