'Industry first' technology promises significant cut in NOx emissions from diesel engines

The Ammonia Creation and Conversion Technology (ACCT) created by academics from Loughborough University’s School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering is said to increase the capacity of existing on engine after treatment systems.

Nearly all new diesel vehicles are fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to try and remove nitorgen oxide (NOx) emissions produced by combustion. This system uses so-called AdBlue to safely provide the ammonia required to reduce NOx into nitrogen and water.

According to the University, AdBlue only functions well at high exhaust temperatures, typically in excess of 250ºC, so the SCR does not necessarily operate at all engine conditions, for example, during short, stop-start commutes, particularly in urban areas or on construction sites. Furthermore, the use of AdBlue at these lower temperatures can result in severe exhaust blockages and subsequent engine damage.

ACCT is an AdBlue conversion technology that uses waste energy to modify AdBlue to work at these lower exhaust temperatures. By greatly extending the temperature range at which SCR systems can operate the new technology significantly enhances existing NOx reduction systems.