STTR Phase I: Novel Urea Mixer to Enable Low Temperature Reduction of Diesel Exhaust Nitrogen Compounds Emissions.

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开辟了一个新的、低温范围的柴油排放控制，目前还没有，同时为柴油车辆的性能提供了进一步的灵活性，这对商用车特别是那些走走停停的车辆（城市类型的工作周期）具有重要意义。它的环境和社会影响包括显著减少柴油排放和温室气体，排放控制系统的缩小和成本节约，降低柴油汽车制造商的保修成本，减少柴油燃料的使用。影响还包括减少了柴油车辆的呼吸道刺激物排放和提高了燃油经济性。第一阶段研究项目的技术目标是概念验证、潜在复杂热化学机制的计算机模拟和原型设计。由于存在尿素结晶的风险，传统的柴油排气液（DEF，尿素水溶液）的注入并不可行，因此这项创新可能解决了在极低温柴油尾气中减少氮氧化物的主要障碍。在柴油车行业，特别是在城市模式驾驶条件下运行的卡车和公共汽车等重型车辆中，结晶本身一直是一个主要的保修挑战。预计该新型混合器将最大限度地降低尿素结晶风险，加快柴油尾气中的热解和水解反应速度，并使选择性催化还原（SCR）催化剂在远低于目前200°C的温度限制下还原氮氧化物（NOx）。通过消除这些障碍，该项目开发的技术将使柴油废气氮氧化物的低温减排成为可能，众所周知，氮氧化物既危害人体健康，又增加温室气体。拟议中的创新还可能提供经济价值，包括节省汽车零部件成本、降低主要保修成本和降低燃料消耗。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is opening a new, low-temperature range of Diesel emission control currently unavailable, while providing further flexibility in Diesel vehicle performance significant for commercial vehicles particularly those in stop-and-go operations (city-type duty cycles). Its environmental and societal impacts consist of markedly-reduced Diesel emissions and greenhouse gases, emission control system downsizing and cost savings, reduced warranty costs to Diesel vehicle manufacturers and reduced Diesel fuel use. Impacts further include reduced emission of respiratory irritants from and increased fuel economy in Diesel vehicles. The technical objectives in this Phase I research project are proof of concept, computer simulation of the underlying complex thermo-chemistry mechanisms and prototyping. The innovation potentially resolves a major obstacle in reducing oxides of nitrogen in very low temperature Diesel exhaust, where traditionally injection of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF; urea water solution) has not been feasible due to risks of urea crystallization; crystallization itself has been a major warranty challenge in the Diesel vehicle industry particularly in heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses operating in city-mode driving conditions. It is anticipated that the proposed novel mixer will minimize urea crystallization risks, accelerate rates of thermolysis and hydrolysis reactions in the Diesel exhaust and enable the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) at temperatures well below the current limit of 200 °C. By removing these barriers, the technology developed in this project will enable low temperature reduction of Diesel exhaust NOx, known to both harm human health and increase greenhouse gases. The proposed innovation will likely also provide economic value consisting of vehicle component cost savings, major warranty cost reduction and reduced fuel consumption.