Flow Field Measurement in Catalytic Converter Comparison with Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyses

The efficiency of a catalytic converter depends on the flow distribution across a system's chemically active substrate. If irregularities or non-uniform flow patterns exist, the system's conversion efficiency decreases, whereas the manufacturing cost increases. Therefore, it is important to analyze the internal flow of a catalytic converter. In this study, flow pattern measurements along the minor axis were recorded at the mid and exit planes of a ceramic honeycomb catalytic converter at flow rates of 37.8 ι/s and 94.4 ι/s. Flow distributions of the measurement plans were compared with an automotive company's computed velocity profiles. Measurements along the minor axis showed uneven velocity profiles. The υ-velocity components between the honeycomb bricks were small but somewhat erratic opposite the intake side of the converter, however, they became flatter in measurements recorded near the intake entrance. For almost all velocity values, the computer model suggested velocities greater than the measured values