The scientists who pioneered a way to reduce the harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel-powered vehicles using urea are now working to further reduce NOx levels.

The new developments are under way at Lund University in Sweden to meet the EU regulations for 2008 and the results look promising, with Johnson Matthey and the Swedish Chalmers Institute of Technology also providing support.

"In our latest experiments we have managed to reduce emissions from 7g of NOx per kWh to 3g," commented Ingemar Odenbrand, professor of chemical engineering at the university.

Scientists plan to store NOx in a catalytic converter and reduce it by repeated injections of hydrocarbons, such as diesel fuel, every 60 or 90 seconds. When the hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller molecules the NOx is reduced to nitrogen, a natural constituent of the air.

More rigorous tests are now being carried out on the new technology to emulate authentic exhausts.



Ÿ Adfero Ltd