Title: Composition and textural properties of soot and study of their oxidative elimination by catalytic process

Authors: D. Courcot, H. Laversin, F. Ledoux, F. Cazier, J. Matta, R. Cousin, A. Aboukais

Addresses: Laboratoire de Catalyse et Environnement (E.A. 2598), Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 145, avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque, France. ' Laboratoire de Catalyse et Environnement (E.A. 2598), Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 145, avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque, France. ' Laboratoire de Catalyse et Environnement (E.A. 2598), Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 145, avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque, France. ' Centre Commun de Mesures, Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 145, avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque, France. ' Industrial Research Institute, IRI bldg., Lebanese University, Campus, Hadath (Baabda), P.O. Box 11, 2806 Beirut, Lebanon. ' Laboratoire de Catalyse et Environnement (E.A. 2598), Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 145, avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque, France. ' Laboratoire de Catalyse et Environnement (E.A. 2598), Universite du Littoral Cote d'Opale, 145, avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque, France

Abstract: Diesel soot and reference carbon black samples have been characterised by analysis of the organic compounds fraction and determination of textural characteristics (specific area). The potential to eliminate such carbonaceous particles has been investigated using a Cu/ZrO₂ solid catalyst promoted by potassium additives. The reactivity of soot samples depends on the organic compounds content. In general, Cu-K/ZrO₂ catalyst is able to lower significantly the soot oxidation temperature of almost 200°. This high activity is related to the ability of potassium to interact with copper species and to favour the release of active oxygen from the catalyst.

Keywords: diesel soot; surface area; organic fraction; soot oxidation; copper; potassium; zirconium dioxide; ZrO2; zirconia; catalysts; organic compounds; carbon black samples; air pollution; air quality; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2009.028689

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009 Vol.39 No.3/4, pp.253 - 263

Published online: 23 Sep 2009 *

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