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Fast Lightoff Catalytic Converter

EPA Contract Number: 68D00048
Title: Fast Lightoff Catalytic Converter
Investigators: Pfefferle, William
Small Business: Precision Combustion Inc.
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1990 through July 1, 1993
Project Amount: $150,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1989)
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air

Description:

Transportation sources remain the primary source of man- made hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emis- sions. Most of the remaining HC and CO exhaust emissions from new automobiles occurs shortly after starting, before the exhaust has warmed the catalytic converter to lightoff temperature. Precision Combustion, Inc. is developing a low cost, fast lightoff, electrically heated metal monolith catalytic converter directed towards eliminating this gap in emissions control while improving conversion effectiveness and long term durability.

Phase I laboratory configuration testing showed that a low power sufficiently rapid heat-up can be achieved for full conversion immediately after engine start-up. CO and ad- justed non-methane hydrocarbon conversions were in excess of 99%. Preliminary automotive and durability testing was successful.

Phase II will be directed towards system development, involving design, construction and testing of one or more commercially feasible prototypes, and culminating in Fed- eral Test Procedure (FTP) tests of an automotive prototype by the New York State Automotive Emissions Laboratory.

Supplemental Keywords:

Toxics, Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, HAPS, air toxics, Environmental Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, mobile sources, automotive exhaust, engine exhaust, automobile engine, ambient air quality, hydrocarbons, metal monolith catalytic converter, ambient air, hydrocarbon, exhaust, catalytic combustion, fast lightoff catalytic converter, carbon monoxide, automobile engine exhausts, cold start, air pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon monoxide , automotive emissions, catalytic converter, electrically heated catalyst, hydrocarbon (HC), automotive combustion

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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