The heat and mass transfer in a monolithic style automotive catalytic converter is to be modeled with a scaled-up channel flow facility, equipped with segmented walls designed to maintain uniform wall temperatures. Velocity, stable species concentrations, and temperatures are to be measured across the channel and the heat flux distribution along the wall will be monitored. Numerical modeling of the reacting flow will accompany the experiments, with the stated overall objective of predicting the detailed thermal and chemical performance of an exhaust gas catalytic reactor under steady-state and transient conditions. The automotive industry relies heavily on catalytic converters to meet EPA standards for the emission of CO, NO, and unburnt hydrocarbons. More stringent regulation of these pollutants, availability of precious metal catalysts, and changing fuel requirements will stress to the limit present converter designs, especially under light-off and other transient operating conditions. This research program, which will involve industrial collaboration, will shore up the science base necessary for the next generation of exhaust gas reactors.
