Thermal analysis and testing of a vacuum insulated catalytic converter
Based on a recent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study, about 95% of all trips start after a cold-soak period of 16 hours or less. By preserving the heat in the catalyst between trips, exhaust gases could be processed without warm-up delay and without the usual cold-start emissions. Vacuum insulation and phase-change thermal storage have been incorporated into a catalytic converter design to enhance its heat-retention time. Laboratory testing of a bench-scale prototype showed that a ``light off`` temperature (above 350 C) could be maintained during a 10-hour cold soak. Design improvements currently being tested should increase this heat-retention time to more than 16 hours. The thermal conductance of the vacuum insulation will be made continuously variable to prevent overheating and excessive thermal cycling. This approach to thermal management may be more durable and less costly than quick-heat methods using electric or fuel-fired preheat catalysts.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 10194742
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/TP-473-7072; SAE/SP-1053; CONF-9410173-1; ON: DE95000242; BR: WM1020000; TRN: AHC29430%%8
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) international fuels and lubricants meeting and exposition,Baltimore, MD (United States),17-20 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL INSULATION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
START-UP
PERFORMANCE TESTING
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
CARBON MONOXIDE
HYDROCARBONS
EMISSION
LOW PRESSURE
PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS
LATENT HEAT STORAGE
OPTIMIZATION
VACUUM INSULATION
PHASE-CHANGE THERMAL STORAGE
CATALYTIC CONVERTER DESIGN
THERMAL MANAGEMENT
330700
EMISSION CONTROL