Reduction of traditional pollutants and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans emitted from a diesel engine generator equipped with a catalytic ceramic fiber filter system

A series of electrostatic precipitator-selective catalytic reductions can capture particulate matters and oxidize polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in most of industrial and vehicle emissions; however, the catalyst is easily poisoned by sulfur and metals during long-term operation. A catalytic fiber filter was developed, which coats a thin catalytic layer on the filter to reduce particulate matters and PCDD/Fs. Even though it exhibits high removal efficiencies, it still has similar poisoning issues. In this study, an attempt is made to distribute V₂O₅/TiO₂ powders into ceramic fibers (Al₂O₃·SiO₂·H₂O) to form a self-protected catalytic ceramic fiber filter used to treat diesel engine generator emissions at 150–350 °C. The highest removal efficiency of PCDD/F toxicity was 99.4% at 175 °C. However, the de novo synthesis occurred within a range of 250–350 °C and lowered the removal efficiency. Additionally, the particle removals approached 94.4–98.5%, while those of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides were > 90 and > 50% at different temperatures, respectively. Consequently, the catalytic ceramic fiber filter may be effective to inhibit both traditional and PCDD/F emissions under specific operational conditions. Air quality control policies could thus be more stringent, and after this new technique is employed, the environment would be cleaner and healthier.