The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an oxygen storage and release material comprising a ceria-zirconia-based complex oxide improved in ability to remove HC and NOx and a three-way catalyst able to reduce an amount of NOx emission. Further, to solve this problem, an oxygen storage and release material comprising a ceria-zirconia-based complex oxide containing Gd.sub.2O.sub.3 in 0.1 mol % or more and less than 20 mol % and having an ion conductivity of 2×10.sup.−5 S/cm or more at 400° C. is provided. Further, in addition to the above, an oxygen storage and release material having a molar ratio of cerium and zirconium of 0.2 or more and 0.6 or less by cerium/(cerium+zirconium) and an speed of oxygen storage and release “Δt.sub.50” of 20.0 seconds or more or amount of oxygen storage and release of 300 μmol-O.sub.2/g or more etc. was obtained. Further, by applying the oxygen storage and release material to the catalyst, it is possible to assist the purification of exhaust gas as it changes every instant in accordance with the driving conditions and possible to obtain a catalyst with a higher ability to remove harmful components of catalytic precious metals than before. In particular, it is possible to obtain an automotive exhaust gas purification system excellent in ability to remove CO, NOx, and HC.

The present invention relates to a particulate filter which comprises a wall flow filter of length L and two different catalytically active coatings Y and Z, wherein the wall flow filter comprises channels E and A that extend in parallel between a first and a second end of the wall flow filter and are separated by porous walls which form the surfaces O.sub.E and O.sub.A, respectively, and wherein the channels E are closed at the second end and the channels A are closed at the first end. The invention is characterized in that the coating Y is located in the channels E on the surfaces O.sub.E and the coating Z is located in the channels A on the surfaces O.sub.A.

Devices and methods for reducing emissions, e.g., hydrocarbons, NOx, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), and carbon monoxide (CO) from an internal combustion engine burning a hydrocarbon fuel. The devices include a mixture of tourmaline, quartz, and a holographic film within a non-metallic housing. The device containing the mixture and the holographic film is then charged. After charging the device, treating hydrocarbon fuel is taught by exposing the hydrocarbon fuel to the charged device before combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine.

A control device for an internal combustion engine including an upstream cleaning device and a downstream cleaning device that are provided in an exhaust gas passage and a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of exhaust gas between the upstream cleaning device and the downstream cleaning device is provided. The control device includes a first temperature estimating unit configured to estimate a temperature of the downstream cleaning device from the temperature of exhaust gas detected by the temperature sensor and a second temperature estimating unit configured to estimate a temperature of the downstream cleaning device without using the temperature of exhaust gas detected by the temperature sensor. An abnormality determining process for the upstream cleaning device is performed when at least the temperature of the downstream cleaning device estimated by the second temperature estimating unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Disclosed is a method for diagnosing a first exhaust treatment component for treatment of an exhaust gas stream comprising means for oxidizing nitric oxide into nitrogen dioxide. A first reduction catalytic converter is arranged upstream said means for oxidizing nitric oxide into nitrogen dioxide, and a second reduction catalytic converter is arranged downstream said means. A reagent is for reduction of nitrogen oxides in said first catalytic converter, and a first sensor measures an occurrence of nitrogen oxide downstream said means but upstream said second reduction catalytic converter. The method comprises: causing a supply of reagent upstream said first reduction catalytic converter to an extent exceeding the extent to which reagent is consumed by the first reduction catalytic converter, determining a first measure of the occurrence of reagent downstream said means for oxidizing, and diagnosing said means for oxidizing nitric oxide into nitrogen dioxide based on said first measure.

A control device for an internal combustion engine including an upstream cleaning device and a downstream cleaning device that are provided in an exhaust gas passage and a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of exhaust gas between the upstream cleaning device and the downstream cleaning device is provided. The control device includes a first temperature estimating unit configured to estimate a temperature of the downstream cleaning device from the temperature of exhaust gas detected by the temperature sensor and a second temperature estimating unit configured to estimate a temperature of the downstream cleaning device without using the temperature of exhaust gas detected by the temperature sensor. An abnormality determining process for the upstream cleaning device is performed when at least the temperature of the downstream cleaning device estimated by the second temperature estimating unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

The exhaust gas purification catalyst device includes an upper layer which includes first carrier particles and rhodium, and a lower layer which includes second carrier particles, and the upper layer includes a rhodium enriched area in the range a, from the upstream end in the exhaust gas flow to 50% of the upper layer length, and a range b from the upper layer top surface to 18 μm in the depth direction. The rhodium enriched area contains at least 50% and less than 100% of all the rhodium in the upper layer.

The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising at least one oxide of vanadium, at least one oxide of tungsten, at least one oxide of cerium, at least one oxide of titanium and at least one oxide of antimony, and an exhaust system containing said oxides.

Disclosed is a heat-resistant ruthenium composite and, more particularly, to a heat-resistant ruthenium composite, a catalyst using same, and an exhaust system, the heat-resistant ruthenium composite being composed of a matrix including a plurality of cores therein, wherein ruthenium is present in a metal state in the core and a Ru complex oxide including Ru perovskite (PV) is contained in the matrix.

A passive NO.sub.x adsorber is disclosed. The passive NO.sub.x adsorber is effective to adsorb NO.sub.x at or below a low temperature and release the adsorbed NO.sub.x at temperatures above the low temperature. The passive NO.sub.x adsorber comprises a noble metal and a molecular sieve having an LTL Framework Type. The invention also includes an exhaust system comprising the passive NO.sub.x adsorber, and a method for treating exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine utilizing the passive NO.sub.x adsorber.