Emission Reduction Tech
Hyundai and Kia Motors, South Korea’s two biggest auto manufacturers, jointly developed a nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst, which can reduce exhaust emissions of diesel vehicles and improve their fuel consumption at the same time, with a university research team.
Hyundai and Kia Motors announced on January 23 that the company and a team of researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology jointly developed a world-class “heat-resisting nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst.” It is the Cu-LTA catalyst to be used by the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, which is one of exhaust gas consecration systems in diesel vehicles.
The SCR devices reduces harmful emissions by converting nitrogen oxides into water and nitrogen. It is crucial to secure a catalyst that can withstand the heat of exhaust emissions. The Cu-LTA, which was developed through the industry-university cooperation research, can withstand heat that is 150 degree Celsius higher than the previous catalyst. The improved performance of the catalyst is the best on the market so far, as it ensures safety at all temperature ranges in diesel car engines.
When commercialized, the Cu-LTA is widely expected to expand the use of the engine and enhance fuel efficiency. In addition, the firm can also reduce money spent on the current catalyst, which is expensive, and cash in on royalty fees for high value-added source technology.