Flow Distribution in a Close-Coupled Catalytic Converter

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. Flow distribution at the exit of the first monolith was measured by a pitot tube. Numerical analysis was also performed for comparison.

Experimental results showed that the flow uniformity index decreases as Reynolds number for the flow increases. For steady flow conditions, the flow through each exhaust pipe concentrates on a specific region of the monolith. The transient test results showed that the flow through each exhaust pipe, in the engine firing order, interacts with each other to make the flow distribution uniform. The numerical analysis results supported the experimental results, and helped explain the flow distribution in the CCC.