Abstract
Keywords:
Bench-flow reactor; Oxidation catalysts; Reverse-flow; Lean-burn natural gas engines
Abstract
This paper describes the use of a bench-flow reactor with periodic flow reversal for the reduction of CH4 in the simulated exhaust gases from lean burn natural gas engines. In the present study the effects of reactor furnace temperature, gas hourly space velocity, and switching time on CH4 conversion were investigated. Results indicated that periodic flow reversal through the reactor significantly increases CH4 conversion when compared to conventional unidirectional flow. Long switching times (>10 s) prove to be the least effective in increasing CH4 conversion, whereas short switching times (~10s) demonstrate a higher CH4 conversion at all gas hourly space velocities investigated in the present study.