Application of experimental design for NOx reduction by Pd-Cu catalysts

The possibilities of working with experimental design and the corresponding model to determine the formulation of new catalysts and calculate a priori their expected conversion values was studied. Eight Pd-Cu catalysts supported on mixed Al-Mg oxides prepared via a sol-gel route were produced and evaluated in the reduction of NO employing propane as the reducing agent. This technique greatly reduces the number of experiments necessary in order to define the factors of greatest importance in the preparation and operational variables, thus reducing the time needed to fine tune a catalyst composition towards the particular reaction system under study.