ABSTRACT
Since converter performance is a complex function of operating conditions, converter geometries, and catalyst properties, an empirical approach to the problem can be very costly and time consuming; thus mathematical modeling promises to be helpful in the development of catalytic converters with improved warm-up performance. US federal regulations of automobile exhaust emissions are based on pollutant emissions measured while driving a vehicle over a prescribed driving schedule referred to as the Federal Test Procedure. The validity of the model was evaluated by comparing measured and predicted cumulative emissions of CO leaving the converter during the cold-start portion of vehicle emission tests. The parametric sensitivity results discussed so far were based on the inlet exhaust gas conditions of the same vehicle that was used for our model verification studies. The major assumptions invoked in the development of the model are a uniform flow distribution at the monolith face, and adabatic operation of the converter.
