Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Self-Heating Three-Way Catalyst

EPA Contract Number: 68D99046
Title: Self-Heating Three-Way Catalyst
Investigators: Lyon, Richard K.
Small Business: EERGC
EPA Contact:
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1999 through March 1, 2000
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1999) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Air Quality and Air Toxics

Description:

The three way catalyst system now in use on automobiles provides almost complete control of air pollutants once the catalyst has been heated to its operating temperature. In the brief time necessary for the catalyst to reach operating temperature, however, significant emissions of pollutants do occur.

In this project a possible new solution to this cold starting problem was evaluated In this possible new solution it was proposed that whenever the car was stopped, the three way catatalyst would be put into a reduced condition, thereby storing chemical energy. When the car was started the catalyst would be oxidized, thereby releasing the stored chemical energy as heat. The extent to which this stored chemical energy could reduce cold starting emissions was examined experimentally with a V-8 engine on a test stand and theoretically by thermodynamic analysis.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

It was found that use of mild reducing conditions would not store enough chemical energy in the catalyst to solve the cold start problem. The use of strongly reducing conditions was found not to be an option because it would cause unacceptable CO emissions.

Conclusions:

This approach to solving the cold start problem turns out to be unworkable.

Supplemental Keywords:

Stored chemical energy, retrofit, unmixed combustion., Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Engineering, Chemistry, HAPS, mobile sources, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, air toxics, New/Innovative technologies, catalysts, hydrocarbons, vehicle emissions, novel catalyst systems, clean technology, emissions, auto emissions, hydrocarbon, Nox, Nitrogen Oxides, catalyst formulations, air emissions, environmentally benign catalysts, carbon monoxide, exhaust gas, air pollutants, pollution control technologies, air pollution, exhaust, automobiles, automotive exhaust, cars