Development and Application of a Computer Aided Engineering Tool for Hydrocarbon Adsorber Catalysts

To support the application and design of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for gasoline fueled passenger cars based on hydrocarbon adsorber catalysts, a computer model was developed. This model is based on simplified, lumped kinetics for the adsorption and desorption of hydrocarbons and for the oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons. Also included in the model are convective transport of heat and mass in the gas phase, mass and heat transfer to the washcoat layer, and diffusion with reaction in the washcoat layer. The continuity equations for this model with the appropriate boundary conditions were solved for a single channel assuming adiabatic behavior.

After validation of the prediction on experimental results, this model was used to perform a simple parametric study on the influence of inlet temperature,CO concentration, washcoat loading, adsorber content, and cell density on the HC emission. The results indicate the importance of efficiently heating the adsorber catalyst above the light-off temperature for hydrocarbons before significant desorption of hydrocarbons can occur.

The model was also used to perform a case study with FTP inlet conditions to choose between two alternative systems. Results of this study are presented.