New Catalyst Provides Complete and Efficient Methane Catalytic Combustion
A new catalyst is 30 times more efficient than currently available materials to drive fully-burned methane. Placed in the car's catalytic converter, this material can cut methane emissions from engine exhaust. It also helps to make better use of the energy stored in methane, making gas turbines cheaper, cleaner and more efficient. Transparent Filler Masterbatch,Plastic Masterbatch,Additive Masterbatch,Slip Masterbatch Well and Fast (SZ) Plastic Development Co.,Ltd , https://www.well-fast.com
Methane is more than 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. However, up till now, there is no effective way to reduce the emissions of cars and trucks. The problem is that methane is a very stable molecule and conventional palladium catalysts require temperatures above the typical 400°C to be found in vehicle exhaust pipes for full combustion. In addition, at a temperature of about 800[deg.] C., it was found that during the fast driving, in the gas turbine, the catalysts of the engine were brought together. This process is called sintering, reducing their surface area and therefore their effectiveness.
The researchers collaborated to develop a fully oxidized methane catalyst at 400 °C. It is also stable and effective to operate at temperatures up to 850 °C without sintering. In the "Science" magazine published on August 10th, researchers discussed their findings.
Conventional catalysts for methane combustion contain oxides of palladium nanoparticles, such as cerium oxide (cerium dioxide). The most active catalytic sites are those in which palladium and cerium oxide are close to each other. The researchers said that the new catalyst is "very significant in concept, but many problems need to be resolved.