Abstract
Results from an experimental study of flow distribution in a close-coupled catalytic converter (CCC) are presented. The experiments were carried out with a flow measurement system specially designed for this study under steady and transient flow conditions. A pitot tube was a tool for measuring flow distribution at the exit of the first monolith. The flow distribution of the CCC was also measured by LDV system and flow visualization. Results from numerical analysis are also presented. Experimental results showed that the flow uniformity index decreases as flow Reynolds number increases. In steady flow conditions, the flow through each exhaust pipe made some flow concentrations on a specific region of the CCC inlet. The transient test results showed that the flow through each exhaust pipe in the engine firing order, interacted with each other to ensure that the flow distribution was uniform. The results of numerical analysis were quali-tatively accepted with experimental results. They supported and helped explain the flow in the entry region of CCC.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- Cμ:
-
Turbulent dissipation coefficient
- I:
-
Turbulent intensity
- K:
-
Permeability coefficient
- k:
-
Turbulent energy
- P:
-
Pressure
- T:
-
Temperature
- U:
-
Velocity vector component
- u:
-
Turbulent fluctuation velocity component
- V:
-
Velocity at the monolith
- X:
-
Cartesian coordinate component
- α,β:
-
1 Permeability coefficient factor
- δ:
-
Kronecker’s delta
- ε:
-
Turbulent dissipation
- μ:
-
Viscosity
- ρ:
-
Density
References
Byung Hyouk Min, Jin Taek Chung, Ho Young Kim and Simsoo Park, 2002, “Effects of Gas Composition on the Performance and Emissions of Compressed Natural Gas Engines,”KSME international journal. Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 219–226.
Cho, Y. S. et al., 2001, “A study of Measurement and Analysis of Flow Distribution in a Close-Coupled Catalytic Converter,”Transaction of KSME B, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 533–539.
Cyeung Ho Choi, Sung Bin Han and Yun Joung Chung, 2003, “The effects of Hydrogen Enrichment on Exhaust Emissions and Thermal Efficiency in a LPG Fuelled Engine,”KSME international journal, Vol. 17, No. 8, pp. 1196–1202.
Herman Weltens et al., 1993, “Optimisation of Catalytic Converter Gas Flow Distribution by CFD Prediction,”SAE 930780.
Kim, M. H. et al., 1992, “A Study on the Flow Characteristics of the Catalytic Converter in Automotive Emission,”KSAE 923925.
Lai, M. C. et al., 1991, “Three-dimensional Simulations of Automotive Catalytic Converter Internal Flow,”SAE 9100200.
Manshik Kim and Kyoungdoug Min, 2001, “Calculation of Fuel Spray Impingement and Fuel Film Formation in an HSDI Diesel Engine,”KSME international journal, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 376–385.
Star-CD Ver. 3.0 User’s Manual, 1996, Computational Dynamics Limited.
Will, N. S. and Bennett, C. J., 1992, “Flow Maldistributions in Automotive Converter Canisters and Their Effect of Emission Control,”SAE 922339.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kim, DS., Cho, YS. LDV measurement, flow visualization and numerical analysis of flow distribution in a close-coupled catalytic converter. KSME International Journal 18, 2032–2041 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02990445
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02990445