Hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines have emerged as a promising solution in the effort to combat climate change, thanks to their ability to deliver power without emitting carbon into the atmosphere. These engines can effectively power heavy-duty trucks, buses, off-road and agricultural equipment, and backup power generators, offering a cleaner alternative to diesel engines. However, despite their advantages, hydrogen engines are not entirely clean, as they emit nitrogen oxides during the high-temperature combustion process. These nitrogen oxides can combine with other compounds in the atmosphere to form harmful ozone and fine particulate matter, impacting human health in the long term.
Fortunately, researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a low-cost method to significantly reduce pollution from hydrogen engines by enhancing the efficiency of their catalytic converters. By infusing platinum in catalytic converters with a highly porous material called Y zeolites, the reactions between nitrogen oxides and hydrogen can be greatly improved, converting them into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, demonstrated that the amount of nitrogen oxides converted to harmless substances increased by four to five times at an engine temperature of 250 degrees Celsius when using the new system. This technology was particularly effective at lower temperatures, crucial for reducing pollution during engine startup.
The technology developed by the UC Riverside scientists can also reduce pollution from diesel engines equipped with hydrogen injection systems, similar to the injection systems used in selective catalytic reduction systems for big-rig diesel trucks. Zeolites, low-cost materials with a well-defined crystalline structure, play a key role in this pollution reduction method. By physically mixing platinum with Y zeolite, the researchers created a system that efficiently captures water generated during the hydrogen combustion process, promoting hydrogen activation and enhancing nitrogen reduction efficiency. Through theoretical modeling, it was confirmed that the zeolite enhances the effectiveness of the platinum catalyst by creating a water-rich environment, offering a simple yet effective pollution reduction strategy.
The pollution reduction method developed by the UC Riverside scientists involves mixing powders of platinum and Y zeolite, then applying them to prototype catalytic converters. The collaboration with BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions in New Jersey, as well as scientists from the National Synchrotron Light Source II at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, helped to further validate and commercialize this technology. The researchers expect BASF, which funded the study, to move forward with commercializing the technology, which is the subject of a pending patent. The simplicity of the pollution reduction method, which involves mixing platinum and zeolite powders and observing improved activity and selectivity, makes it a versatile and efficient solution for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from internal combustion engines.
In conclusion, the development of a technology to enhance catalytic converters in hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change and air pollution. By reducing nitrogen oxide emissions and improving overall efficiency, this innovative solution offers a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel engines. The collaboration between researchers at UC Riverside, BASF, and other institutions has paved the way for commercialization of this technology, which has the potential to have a major impact on emissions reduction in a wide range of applications. As efforts continue to address environmental challenges, advancements like this new pollution reduction method hold promise for a more sustainable future.