Method of removing nitrogen oxides from waste gas by selective contact reduction

Claim 1

In a method of removing nitrogen oxides from dirty, dust or soot containing waste gases from stationary fossil fuel burning sources by selective catalytic reduction, comprising adding ammonia gas to said waste gas, and bringing said waste gas containing ammonia gas into contact with a ceramic honeycomb structural body having catalyst material on or in the channel walls thereof, said catalyst material comprising a metal or metal oxide effective for reducing nitrogen oxides in the presence of ammonia to nitrogen and water, the improvement comprising passing said waste gas through said honeycomb body at a gas speed of 0.5-60 m/sec, said body having walls of substantially uniform thickness forming channels extending through said body, said channels having a hydraulic diameter of 2.0-30 mm, and said body having an open frontal area of 50-80%, said body causing a pressure drop of said waste gases passing through said body of not greater than 200 mm. of H 2 O thereby attaining reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and preventing the channels from being clogged by said dust or soot.