Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Mordecai Shelef

Haren S Gandhi

Eleftherios M Logothetis

Henryk K Stepien

Hsien C Yao

William L Watkins

Joseph T Kummer

Clifford N Montreuil

Chaitanya Kumar Narula

Robert Walter McCabe

Jacobus Hendrik Visser

George Wade Graham

Woosang Chun

Rengin K Usmen

Paul P Wynblatt

Hsin C Yao

Ann G Piken

Ralph A Dalla Betta

A polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cell assembly comprising an ionomeric, conducting polymer membrane, an anode on a first face of the polymer membrane, a cathode on a second face of the polymer membrane, at least one of the anode and the cathode each comprising catalyst support material comprising conductive zeolite particulate material, and noble metal catalysts supported on the catalyst support material.

Fuel cell electrode comprising conductive zeolite support material

The invention is a selective reduction catalyst useful for converting exhaust gases generated by a lean-burn engine where the atmosphere is oxidizing. The catalyst comprises zeolite containing two forms or rhodium, small metal particles and ion-exchanged into the zeolite, the latter being in significant excess. In addition, the catalyst contains a rare-earth metal having primarily a +3 or higher valence such as lanthanum in a significantly higher amount relative the total amount of rhodium.

NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst with broadened active temperature

A method of controlling operation of a compressed natural gas vehicle as a function of a predetermined level of methane in the ambient. Vehicle ignition is turned off when a predetermined level of methane is sensed in the ambient.

Method of operating a natural gas vehicle as a function of ambient

This invention is a method for preparing an automotive catalyst system. It comprises the steps of providing a substrate, providing a gamma-alumina support material, depositing a lanthana precursor and calcining the precursor, depositing an oxygen storage material precursor like ceria precursor and calcining this precursor material, and subsequently depositing catalytic material like platinum on the oxygen storage material. The alumina may be initially washcoated on the substrate or at any stage after deposition of the lanthana precursor.

Automotive catalysts with improved oxygen storage and metal dispersion

A catalyst system for the selective reduction of gaseous NO.sub.x in the presence of excess oxygen, having a copper-containing ZSM5 zeolite to which a NO.sub.x -containing gas is exposed, and means for introducing a metered volume of finely dispersed, water soluble, oxygen-containing organic compound (alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, ether) into the NO.sub.x -containing gas prior to exposure to the Cu-ZSM5 zeolite. Also, a method of treating automotive exhaust gas emissions, having an excess of oxygen, by the steps of: (a) introducing a water soluble, oxygenated organic compound (steam/oxygenate mixture) into the exhaust gas emissions as a reductant and at a location closely adjacent the source of the exhaust gas generation (in an appropriate amount with respect to the NO.sub.x); (b) substantially immediately exposing the reductant/emission mixture to a transition metal-exchanged high silica ZSM5 zeolite (SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of between 10-50) catalyst at a space velocity in the range of 20-80 K hr.sup.-1 ; and (c) sequentially exposing the effluent of such zeolite catalyst to an oxidation catalyst.

Selective reduction of NO.sub.x

This invention is directed to a method of providing a channeled substrate with a porous washcoat used as a supporting structure for a catalyst. The substrate is coated with a reactive mixture made of components comprising aluminum alkoxide, water, and acid or the alkoxide in an alcohol. The aluminum alkoxide contains hydrolyzable alkoxy groups and has the chemical formula: Al(OR).sub.3, where R is an alkyl or branched alkyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The method also includes drying and calcining the coating to form a .gamma.-alumina washcoat.

Aluminum oxide catalyst supports from alumina sols

This invention teaches a system for interrupting operation of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle so as to prevent an undesirably high level of carbon monoxide in the ambient by using the voltage output signal from an engine oxygen sensor placed in the exhaust stream. Engine operation is interrupted when there are simultaneous signals indicating both an EGO sensor signal level above a predetermined value and idling condition of the engine.

Engine operation interrupt using engine operating parameters

This invention teaches a system for interrupting operation of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle so as to prevent an undesirably high level of carbon monoxide in the ambient. Engine operation is interrupted when there are simultaneous signals indicating a carbon monoxide level above a predetermined value and and idling condition of the engine.

Engine operation interrupt using ambient monoxide sensing

This invention teaches a system for interrupting operation of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle so as to prevent an undesirably high level of carbon monoxide which would cause a low level of oxygen in the ambient. Engine operation is interrupted when there are simultaneous signals indicating an oxygen level below a predetermined value and an idling condition of the engine.

Engine operation interrupt using ambient oxygen sensing

A catalyst system for the selective reduction of gaseous NO.sub.x in the presence of excess oxygen, having a copper-containing ZSM5 zeolite to which a NO.sub.x -containing gas is exposed, and means for introducing a metered volume of comminuted water-soluble, oxygen-containing organic compound (alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, ether) into the NO.sub.x -containing gas prior to exposure to the Cu-ZSM5 zeolite. Also, a method of treating automotive exhaust gas emissions, having an excess of oxygen, by the steps of: (a) introducing a water-soluble, oxygenated organic compound (steam/oxygenate mixture) into the exhaust gas emissions as a reductant and at a location closely adjacent the source of the exhaust gas generation (in an appropriate amount with respect to the NO.sub.x); (b) substantially immediately exposing the reductant/emission mixture to a transition metal-exchanged high silica ZSM5 zeolite (SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of between 10-50) catalyst at a space velocity in the range of 20-80 K hr.sup.-1 ; and (c) sequentially exposing the effluent of such zeolite catalyst to an oxidation catalyst.

Method of selectively reducing NO.sub.x

This invention is directed to an equilibrium catalyst for treating oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons found in an exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine. The catalyst includes a substrate, a selective three-way equilibrium catalyst, an oxygen storage material component for maintaining the activity of the equilibrium catalyst during momentary excursions of the exhaust gas stream into oxygen rich conditions, an active metal component for a water gas and steam reforming process which maintains the overall activity of the equilibrium catalyst when treating an exhaust gas stream deficient in oxygen, and a component for oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides when the exhaust gas stream is developed from the burning of air mixtures of about stoichiometric proportions.

Catalyst for treating exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine

A catalyst system and method of making the same is taught for treating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. A catalyst system includes a substrate and a washcoat on the substrate. The washcoat is formed of zirconia. A catalyst is placed on the washcoat consisting of rhodium metal or rhodium metal with another catalyst metal. By using zirconia as a washcoat, the rhodium is not dissolved into the washcoat during periods when the catalyst system is subjected to high temperature oxidizing conditions, as is the case when a gamma alumina washcoat is used.

Catalyst of rhodium on zirconia

The specification teaches a method of enriching a catalyst system in which both platinum and rhodium are present. The enrichment increases the amount of rhodium which is actively available for use as a catalyst. The enrichment is brought about by thermally aging the catalyst system in an oxidizing atmosphere by heating it to a temperature in a range from 650.degree. C. to 875.degree. C. for a period of at least two hours. A thermal aging at a temperature of about 800.degree. C. for a period of 4 to 8 hours is preferred.

Enriched rhodium catalyst and method for making same

A catalyst system is taught for treating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The catalyst system includes a substrate and a wash coat on the substrate. The wash coat is formed substantially of alpha phase alumina. A catalyst is placed on the wash coat consisting of rhodium metal or rhodium metal with another catalyst metal. By using alpha phase alumina as the wash coat, the rhodium is not dissolved into the wash coat during periods when the catalyst system is subjected to high temperature oxidizing conditions.

Catalyst of rhodium on alpha alumina-coated substrate

Under oxidizing conditions, a ruthenium catalyst system which is not protected will lose ruthenium by volatilization. A method is taught in this specification for stabilizing a ruthenium catalyst system against such volatilization under oxidizing conditions. The method is carried out by applying to a catalyst substrate a ruthenium catalyst system in which the catalytic material under oxidizing conditions is of the type La.sup.+3 Ni.sub.x.sup.+3 Ru.sub.1-x.sup.+3 O.sub.3 wherein x is in the range from 0.1 to 0.9.

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Bloomfield Village, MI, United States of America

Mordecai Shelef