Development of Catalyst to Eliminate Diesel Vehicle 'Yososu' and Reduce Nitrogen Oxides from Power Plants

Ministry of Science and ICT Releases Results of Ultrafine Dust Response Technology Development Project

The city center viewed from the 63 Square Observatory in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th is hazy due to the influence of yellow dust. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government has consecutively unveiled technologies that can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, a major cause of fine dust. Catalysts have been developed that can remove nitrogen oxides more cheaply and efficiently from power plants, cement factories, and incinerators, as well as catalysts that reduce fine dust emissions from diesel vehicles without using urea solution. If commercialized, these are expected to play a significant role in reducing air pollutant emissions.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 15th that, as part of the Northeast Asia regional-linked ultrafine dust response technology development project, which has been underway since October last year and will continue until March 2025 with a total budget of 45.8 billion KRW, two such catalysts have been developed. The catalyst that can decompose nitrogen oxides emitted from power plants, cement factories, and incinerators much more cheaply and efficiently than existing ones was created by Dr. Dong-wook Kwon’s team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

This new catalyst can efficiently decompose nitrogen oxides (NOx) at a lower temperature (280°C) than the existing 350°C and can regenerate itself, reducing costs. Specifically, by successfully modifying the catalyst surface through sulfide treatment, the conversion efficiency of nitrogen oxides at low temperatures was maximized. Additionally, while existing catalysts required heating above 350°C during removal and reinstallation to decompose accumulated ammonium sulfate salts, the new catalyst can decompose ammonium sulfate salts at a lower temperature (below 280°C), allowing regeneration to its initial performance.

A catalyst that decomposes nitrogen oxides without urea solution, which is currently mandatory for diesel vehicles, has also been developed. This catalyst, developed by Dr. Il-jeong Heo’s research team at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, effectively decomposes nitrogen oxides at low temperatures (below 180°C) without urea solution. If commercialized, it means that diesel vehicles will no longer need to regularly add urea solution. It is also a low-pollution fine dust reduction technology that converts nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen (N2) without emitting ammonia or greenhouse gases (N2O), making it safe for human health.

These research results were published together in the recent issue of 'Applied Catalysis B,' an international journal ranked in the top 1% in the environmental field.

Kim Bong-su, Director of Basic and Fundamental Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "If these research achievements are well utilized, it will become easier to handle fine dust-causing substances generated in industrial sites," adding, "We will promote the commercialization of these fundamental technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.