The increasing regulation of NO_x and formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions from stationary gas engines requires innovative exhaust aftertreatment technologies. While the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) process is already established for efficiently reducing NO_x with NH₃, the simultaneous oxidation of HCHO remains a challenge. A particular issue is the formation and emission of undesirable byproducts such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ammonia (NH₃).
Stricter emission regulations, including the 44th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV) in Germany and the EURO-7 standard in the EU, have significantly tightened the limits for NO_x, HCHO, and CO. For example, stationary gas engines are now subject to an HCHO limit of 20 mg/Nm³, while NOx is restricted to 0.1 g/Nm³ and CO to a maximum of 0.5 g/Nm³. On an international level, regulations such as the IMO Tier III standard for ship engines continue to increase the requirements for low-emission technologies.
The proposed research project aims to optimize an Fe-zeolite SCR catalyst for the combined removal of NO_x and HCHO. Based on experimental investigations and kinetic modeling, a predictive model will be developed to describe the catalytic reactions as well as the formation and decomposition of potential byproducts. This will enable a targeted catalyst design for maximum NO_x and HCHO conversion with minimal secondary emissions.
The results will contribute to the advancement of exhaust aftertreatment for gas engines and support small and medium-sized enterprises in developing efficient and cost-effective emission reduction solutions. In light of increasingly stringent emission limits, this opens up new market opportunities and strengthens the competitiveness of innovative technologies.

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