Improved Method of Heating Catalytic Converters of Vehicles to Attain Ultra-Low Emissions

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9362022 Murphy The objective of this project is to evaluate a concept for reducing the pollutants emitted by internal combustion engines during the period before the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature. In this approach, a method is proposed for rapidly heating the catalytic converter by bleeding hydrogen into the exhaust system upstream from the catalytic converter. The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using energy from the vehicle's battery and alternator. This is a Phase I award based on a proposal submitted in response to NSF 93-18, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Solicitation. The results may potentially be applied to design of internal combustion exhaust systems to reduce pollutants emitted during start-up to levels produced when the engine and exhaust system are at their normal operating temperature.