• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.54-61
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• 2004

The engine-out flow is highly transient and hot, and may place tremendous thermal and inertial loads on a closed-coupled catalyst. Therefore, time-dependent and detailed flow and thermal field simulation may be crucial. The aim of this study is to develop combined chemical reaction and multi-dimensional fluid dynamic mathematical model and to study the effect of unsteady pulsating thermal and flow characteristics on thermal reliability of closed-coupled catalyst. The effect of cell density on the conversion performance under real running condition is also investigated. Unlike previous studies, the present study focuses on coupling between the problems of pulsating flow pattern and catalyst thermal response and conversion efficiency. The results are expressed in terms of temporal evolution of flow, pollutant and temperature distribution as well as transient characteristics of conversion efficiency. Fundamental understanding of the flow and thermal phenomena of closed-coupled catalyst under real running condition is presented. It is shown that instants of significantly low values of flow uniformity and conversion efficiency exist during exhaust blowdown and the temporal varaition of flow uniformity is very similar in pattern to one of conversion efficiency. It is also found that the location of hot spot in monolith is directly affected by transient flow pattern in closed-coupled catalyst.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.533-539
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• 2001

In this study, results from an experimental and numerical study of flow distribution in a close-coupled catalytic converter (CCC) are presented. The experiments were carried out using a glow measurement system. Flow distribution at the exit of the first monolith in the CCC was measured using a pitot tube under steady and transient flow conditions. Numerical analysis was done using a CF D code at the same test conditions, and the results were compared with the experimental results. Experimental results showed that the uniformity index of exhaust gas velocity decreases as Reynolds number increases. Under the steady flow conditions, flow through each exhaust pipe concentrates on a small region of the monolith. Under the transient flow conditions, flow through each exhaust pipe with the engine firing order interacts with each other to spread the flow over the monolith face. The numerical analysis results support the experimental results, and help explain the flow pattern in the entry region of the CCC.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2004

Close-coupled catalyst (CCC) can reduce the engine cold-start emissions by utilizing the energy in the exhaust gas. However, in case the engine is operated at high engine speed and load condition, the catalytic converter may be damaged and eventually deactivated by thermal aging. Excess fuel is sometimes supplied intentionally to lower the exhaust gas temperature avoiding the thermal aging. This sacrifices the fuel economy and exhaust emissions. This paper describes the results of an exhaust heat exchanger to lower the exhaust gas temperature mainly under high load conditions. The heat exchanger was installed between the exhaust manifold and the inlet of close-coupled catalytic converter. The exhaust heat exchanger successfully decreased the exhaust gas temperature, which eliminated the requirement of fuel enrichment under high load conditions. However, the cooling of the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger may cause the deterioration of exhaust emissions at cold start due to the increment of catalyst light-off time.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.335-340
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• 2000

Most vehicle's exhaust emissions come from the cold transient period of the FTP-75 test. In this study, UEGI technology was developed to help close-coupled catalytic converter (CCC) reach light-off temperature within a few seconds after cold-start. In the UEGI system, unburned exhaust mixture is ignited by four glow plugs installed upstream of the catalyst. Experimental results showed that the temperature of CCC rises faster with the UEGI technology, and the CCC reaches light-off temperature earlier. Under the conditions tested, the light-off time of the baseline case was 62 seconds and that of the UEGI case was 33 seconds.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

UEGI (Unburned Exhaust Gas Ignition) is an alternative method for fast light-off of a catalyst. It ignites the unburned exhaust mixture using two glow plugs installed in the upstream of the close-coupled catalysts. In addition, a hydrocarbon adsorber was applied to the UEGI, for more effective reduction of HC emission. Engine bench tests show that the CCC reaches the light-off temperature laster than the baseline exhaust system and HC and CO emissions are reduced significantly during the cold start. From the vehicle test, it was observed that a few amount of HC emission was reduced even the catalysts were aged. It is expected to develop a solution kit applicable to a new vehicle or used one, to meet the emission regulation