Study of a catalyst supported on rice husk ash for NO reduction with carbon monoxide

Abstract

In our research, rice husk ash (RHA) was employed as a catalyst support and Fe–Cu bimetallic compounds were employed as catalysts in the reduction of NO by CO. Rice husk ash contains abundant amorphous SiO₂ and it would be a good catalyst support as indicated by the characterization results. Different combustion conditions were tested to obtain the appropriate rice husk ash. Characterization methods were employed to study its physical properties. The results of the catalytic activity testing experiment were highly in accordance with the characterization results. Fe₂Cu₁ based on rice husk ash had approximately 100% conversion rates for both NO and CO, which indicated the superiority of the rice husk ash and Fe–Cu oxides. Moreover, the O₂ content, CO/NO ratio and SO₂ had little influence on this new combination. This remarkable performance was due to the strong interaction between the rice husk ash and metal species. The results of our research will provide some instructions for the improvement of industrial denitrification.