World-first technology reduces nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines

Loughborough University researchers developed an industry-first technology potential to cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel engines.

NOx emissions are the primary cause of smog in major cities around the world and a growing public health concern.

SCR

Currently, all new diesel vehicles are fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to try and remove NOx produced by combustion.

The system uses AdBlue to safely provide the ammonia required to reduce NOx into harmless nitrogen and water.

AdBlue functions well at high exhaust temperatures, typically in excess of 250ºC. The SCR does not necessarily operate at all engine conditions.

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The use of AdBlue at these problematic lower temperatures can result in severe exhaust blockages and subsequent engine damage.

ACCT

Ammonia Creation and Conversion Technology (ACCT) is an AdBlue conversion technology that uses waste energy to modify AdBlue to work effectively at lower exhaust temperatures. ACCT is the only technology of its kind in the world.

Loughborough"s Professor Graham Hargrave, said, ACCT enables the SCR systems to work at much lower temperatures as low as 60⁰C. It means, the NOx reduction system remains active through the whole real world driving cycle, leading to significant reductions in tailpipe emissions.

The Loughborough technology has been fitted for HGV"s, the same system is fully scalable for use in all diesel vehicles.

No viable alternative to the diesel engine currently exists in the heavy-duty market and is going to be in use for many more years.

The ACCT technology has the potential to produce gaseous ammonia at temperatures significantly below 190°C, thus enabling increased conversion efficiency and lower NOx emissions.