Transient Simulation of Three-Way Catalytic Converter 2003-01-1871

Catalytic converter is recognized as an essential after burn-treatment device and used in a wide range, especially with new generation of emission standards. The prediction of its performance and efficiency and the endeavor for the optimization are critical issues to reduce the cost and emissions. Most of the works done on the simulation of catalytic converters are limited to special cases and don't cover detailed aspects required for description of catalytic converter behavior.

In this paper, a generalized mathematical model is introduced for catalytic converter performance, including detailed description of chemical and physical phenomena, in two individual one and two-dimensional structures. Some numerical methods, including finite difference and finite element, have been developed to simulate the behavior of three-way monolithic catalysts. Nonlinear kinetics has been selected from Dubien et. al. (1998) research, while, effectiveness factor is considered to estimate diffusion in the solid phase of the catalyst. Temperature and composition-dependant physical properties are calculated from well-known mixing roles. The agreement between model outputs and experimental data, extracted from Siemund et. al. (1996), seems acceptable.