An Integrated Computational Model for the Optimisation of Monolith Catalytic Converters

With the increasingly widespread use of catalytic converters for meeting exhaust emission regulations, considerable attention is currently being directed towards improving their performance. Experimental analysis is costly and time consuming. A desirable alternative would be a computational model based on established numerical techniques. To this end a transient three-dimensional model has been developed using a commercial CFD code. It simulates the fluid dynamics, chemical kinetics and heat and mass transfer that takes place in catalysts and their associated assembly. As a result the model can be used to predict important performance parameters such as conversion efficiency, incurred pressure drop and the thermal environment.