• 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

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.445-451
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• 2005

Most of the pollutants from passenger cars are emitted during the cold-transient phase of the FTP-75 test. In order to reduce the exhaust emissions during the cold-transient period, it is essential to warm up the catalyst as fast as possible after the engine starts, and the Unburned Exhaust Gas Ignition (UEGI) technology was developed through our previous studies to help close-coupled catalytic converters (CCC) reach the light-off temperature within a few seconds after cold-start. The UEGI system operates by igniting the unburned exhaust mixture by glow plugs installed upstream of the catalyst. The flame generates a high amount of heat, and if the heat is concentrated on a specific area of monolith surface, then thermal crack or failure of the monolith could occur. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the temperature distribution in the CCC during the UEGI operation, so the local temperatures in the monolith were measured using thermocouples. Experimental results showed that the temperature of CCC rises faster with the UEGI technology, and the CCC reaches the light-off temperature earlier than the baseline case. Under the conditions tested, the light-off time of the baseline case was 62 seconds, compared with 33 seconds for the UEGI case. The peak temperature is well under the thermal melting condition, and temperature distribution is not so severe as to consider thermal stress. It is noted that the UEGI technology is an effective method to warm up the catalyst with a small amount of thermal stress during the cold start period.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.150-155
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• 2000

Exhaust emissions from vehicles are the main source of air pollution. Many researchers are trying to find the way of reducing vehicle emissions, especially in the cold transient period of the FTP-75 test. In this study, UEGI (Unburned Exhaust Gas Ignition) technology, warming up the close-coupled catalytic converter (CCC) by igniting the unburned exhaust mixture using two glow plugs installed in the upstream of the catalyst, was developed. It was applied to an exhaust system with a hydrocarbon adsorber to ensure an effective reduction of HC emission during the cold start period. Results showed that the CCC reaches the light-off temperature (LOT) in a shorter time compared with the baseline exhaust system, and HC and CO emissions are reduced significantly during the cold start.