Modeling of Dual Layer Ammonia Slip Catalysts (ASC) 2012-01-1294

In recent years, ammonia slip catalysts (ASC) are being used downstream of an SCR system to minimize the ammonia slip. The dual-layer ASC is more attractive for its bi-functionality in reducing the ammonia and NO_X emissions. It consists of two layers with the upper layer comprising a component with SCR functionality and the lower layer a PGM containing catalyst with oxidation functionality. Thus, both oxidation and SCR reactions take place in two different layers and are interlinked by the inter-layer mass transfer mechanism. In addition, adsorption and desorption kinetics between the gas and solid phases play a significant role. Mathematically, the overall system is a complex system of mass, momentum and energy transfer equations with temporal and spatial variables in both axial and radial directions. In this work, we focus on devising a suitable, computationally inexpensive model for such ASCs to be efficiently used for design, control and system optimization studies. We discuss a 1D+1D (Pseudo 2D) model capturing the above-mentioned mechanisms to different extents and investigate the accuracy of the model in both steady state and transient modes. Extensive model validation has been carried out against Cu-ASC reactor and engine data; good agreement between the model predictions and the experimental results was achieved.