The Effect of Engine Exhaust Temperature Modulations on the Performance of Automotive Catalytic Converters

This paper presents a computational investigation of the effect of exhaust temperature modulations on an automotive catalytic converter. The objective is to develop a better fundamental understanding of the converter’s performance under transient driving conditions. Such an understanding will be beneficial in devising improved emission control methodologies. The study employs a single-channel based, one-dimensional, non-adiabatic model. The transient conditions are imposed by varying the exhaust gas temperature sinusoidally. The results show that temperature modulations cause a significant departure in the catalyst behavior from its steady behavior, and modulations have both favorable and harmful effects on pollutant conversion. The operating conditions and the modulating gas composition and flow rates (space velocity) have substantial influence on catalyst behavior.