Reducing Catalytic Converter Pressure Loss with Enhanced Inlet-Header Diffusion 952398
The function of the inlet header of a catalytic converter is to diffuse the inlet exhaust flow, decreasing its velocity and increasing its static pressure with as little loss in total pressure as possible. In practice, very little diffusion takes place in most catalytic converter inlet headers because the flow separates at the interface of the pipe and the tapered section leading to the substrate. This leads to increased converter pressure loss and flow maldistribution.
An improved inlet-header design called the Enhanced Diffusion Header (EDH) was developed which combines a short, shallow-angle diffuser with a more abrupt expansion to the substrate cross section. Tests conducted in room air (cold flow) and engine exhaust showed that improved inlet-jet diffusion leads to substantial reductions in converter restriction. EDH performance was not compromised by the presence of a right-angle bend upstream of the converter.
Citation: Wendland, D., Kreucher, J., and Andersen, E., "Reducing Catalytic Converter Pressure Loss with Enhanced Inlet-Header Diffusion," SAE Technical Paper 952398, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/952398. Download Citation
Author(s):
Daniel W. Wendland, John E. Kreucher, Eric Andersen
Affiliated:
General Motors Corp.
Pages: 13
Event:
1995 SAE International Fall Fuels and Lubricants Meeting and Exhibition
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
Developments and Advances in Emission Control Technology-SP-1120, SAE 1995 Transactions: Journal of Fuels and Lubricants-V104-4
Related Topics:
Catalytic converters
Test procedures
Pressure
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