What is Selective Catalytic

Reduction?
What is Selective Catalytic Reduction?
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is an advanced active emissions
control technology system that injects a liquid-reductant agent
through a special catalyst into the exhaust stream of a diesel engine.
The reductant source is usually automotive-grade urea, otherwise
known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). The DEF sets off a chemical
reaction that converts nitrogen oxides into nitrogen, water and tiny
amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), natural components of the air we
breathe, which is then expelled through the vehicle tailpipe
 SCR technology is designed to permit nitrogen oxide (NOx)
reduction reactions to take place in an oxidizing atmosphere. It
is called "selective" because it reduces levels of NOx using
ammonia as a reductant within a catalyst system. The chemical
reaction is known as "reduction" where the DEF is the reducing
agent that reacts with NOx to convert the pollutants into
nitrogen, water and tiny amounts of CO2. The DEF can be
rapidly broken down to produce the oxidizing ammonia in the
exhaust stream. SCR technology alone can achieve NOx
reductions up to 90 percent.
Why is SCR important?

SCR technology is one of the most cost-effective and fuel-

efficient technologies available to help reduce diesel engine
emissions. All heavy-duty diesel truck engines produced after
January 1, 2010 must meet the latest EPA emissions standards,
among the most stringent in the world, reducing particulate
matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to near zero levels. SCR
can reduce NOx emissions up to 90 percent while
simultaneously reducing HC and CO emissions by 50-90
percent, and PM emissions by 30-50 percent. SCR systems can
also be combined with a diesel particulate filter to achieve even
greater emission reductions for PM.
Ammonia

Two forms of ammonia may be used in SCR systems: (1) pure

anhydrous ammonia, and (2) aqueous ammonia. Anhydrous
ammonia is toxic, hazardous, and requires thick-shell,
pressurized storage tanks and piping due to its high vapor
pressure. Aqueous ammonia, NH3H2O, is less hazardous and
easier to handle. A typical industrial grade ammonia, containing
about 27% ammonia and 73% water by weight, has nearly
atmospheric vapor pressure at normal temperatures and can be
safely transported on highways in the USA and other countries.
 A number of chemical reactions occur in the ammonia SCR
system, as expressed by Equations (1) to (5). All of these
processes represent desirable reactions which reduce NOx to
elemental nitrogen. Equation (2) represents the dominant
reaction mechanism [Cho 1994]. Reactions given by Equation
(3) through (5) involve nitrogen dioxide reactant. The reaction
path described by Equation (5) is very fast. This reaction is
responsible for the promotion of low temperature SCR by
NO2 [Cooper 2003]. Normally, NO2 concentrations in most flue
gases, including diesel exhaust, are low. In diesel SCR
systems, NO2 levels are often purposely increased to enhance
NOx conversion at low temperatures
In case the NO2 content has been increased to exceed the NO level in the feed gas, N2O
formation pathways are also possible, as shown in Equation
Undesirable processes occurring in SCR systems include several competitive, nonselective reactions
with oxygen, which is abundant in the system. These reactions can either produce secondary
emissions or, at best, unproductively consume ammonia. Partial oxidation of ammonia, given by
Equations
 Ammonia can also react with NO2 producing explosive ammonium
nitrate (NH4NO3), Equation (11). This reaction, due to its negative
temperature coefficient, occurs at low temperatures, below about
100-200C. Ammonium nitrate may deposit in solid or liquid form in
the pores of the catalyst