Low temperature selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with an activated carbon-supported zero-valent iron catalyst

Abstract

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides with an activated carbon-supported zero-valent iron catalyst is a method for removing NO under low temperature, which can remove CO and NO simultaneously. In the present study, the thermodynamics of low temperature denitrification was analyzed. By means of X-ray diffraction and Brunner–Emmet–Teller (BET) measurements, the phase and structure of the catalyst were thoroughly investigated. To determine the activity of the catalyst, a series of catalytic performance tests were carried out. The results indicated that the catalyst can act on the chemical reactions during the low-temperature denitrification process. An increase in the iron loading covered the micropores, resulting in a smaller specific surface area, which had little influence on the total pore volume. Moreover, activated carbon provided a carrier structure for iron and reduced NO simultaneously. The reduction of NO with activated carbon to N₂ was the main reaction. By the oxidation of iron and the reduction of activated carbon, the activity of the catalyst decreased.