Applications and Benefits of Catalytic Converter Thermal Management

A catalytic converter thermal management system that uses variable conductance vacuum insulation and phase change thermal storage can maintain the converter temperature above its operating temperature for many hours, allowing most trips to begin with minimal 'cold-start' emissions. The latest converter TMS prototype was tested on a Ford Taurus (3.0 liter flex-fuel engine) at Southwest ResearchInstitute. Following a 24-hour soak, the FTP-75 emissions were 0.031, 0.13, and 0.066 g/mile for NMHC, CO, and NOX, respectively. Tests were also run using 85% ethanol (E85), resulting in values of 0.005, 0.124, and 0.044 g/mile, and 0.005 g/mile NMOG. Compared to the baseline FTP levels, these values represent reductions of 84% to 96% for NMHC, NMOG, and CO.