Patent · US Expired

Substoichiometric air addition to first stage of dual catalyst system

US3943709A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
10References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 29, 1972
Grant dateMar 16, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 29, 1992

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/40
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Process and apparatus for reducing emissions from internal combustion engine exhaust gas. The exhaust gas treatment system includes a first stage converter containing an NO.sub.x reduction catalyst, a second stage converter containing a catalyst for oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons, and means for admitting secondary air to the inlet of the second stage. Reduced CO and hydrocarbon emissions are obtained by admitting air in an amount not greater than that required to achieve a stoichiometric mixture to the inlet of the first stage during cold (i.e., choked) engine operation, discontinuing the flow of air to the first stage inlet when the average air-fuel ratio reaches approximately its normal warm engine value, and thereafter continuing operation without adding an appreciable quantity of air to the inlet of the first stage. The engine is operated with a substantially net rich average air-fuel ratio during warmup and with a slightly net rich average air-fuel ratio thereafter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.