Numerical modeling of thermal effects in catalytic converters with and without CleanalyticTM technology

Sherif  Abdou, Vida Fresh Air Corp.

Principal challenge in gasoline emissions controls is the temperature management of the catalytic converter and the resulting compromise between emissions and fuel economy. Increase in availability of more powerful computational hardware allowed CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to become an industry standard tool for designing and optimizing different automotive systems including the exhaust after-treatment system. As a part of its patented CleanalyticTM technology, Vida has developed a new numerical model that incorporates both aspects of heat exchange and heat addition inside the ceramic substrate porous zone. This model is used by Vida to model the temperature performance of automotive exhaust systems in steady-state and transient conditions, including light-off and light-out situations which are crucial to the design and optimization of Vida’s CleanalyticTM technology. Both conventional and and CleanalyticTM catalytic converters were used in the study and modelling results were verified through extensive engine dynamometer experimental testing.

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