Development of low temperature plasma nox control system for marine diesel engine

The control of nox emissions from marine engines proves a challenge. Diesel engine manufacturers have been investigating a variety of methods with aim of reducing nox emissions. Currently, the plasma technology is undergoing rapid development in application to diesel engine exhausts. A combination of non-thermal plasma with catalysts can be referred to plasma assisted catalysts technology. This paper briefly describes research efforts aimed at non-thermal plasma reactor development for ship use with primary focus on NO oxidation condition. The part scale plasma reactor models have been designed and manufactured for the purpose of this trial. Exhaust emission plasma after-treatment module was fitted on exhaust outlet path of the marine test bed engine for fractional exhaust gas stream examination. Subsequently, the comprehensive series of trials were performed to assess the exhaust flow properties of the main exhaust channel and plasma reactor by-pass duct. Emission measurements were carried out on engine at steady-state operation. The NO reaction activity was a major task of the experiment and throughout the measurements, the engine outlet nox levels (NO and NO2) were monitored with simultaneous NO, NO2, N2O level recording after NTP reactor.