Abstract: A method for testing integrity of a plugged honeycomb structure includes forming a condenser at a first end of the honeycomb structure, passing a vaporous stream into a second end of the honeycomb structure, wherein a column of the vaporous stream emerges at the first end of the honeycomb structure from cells in the honeycomb structure that are defective, and observing the first end of the honeycomb structure for condensation spots formed by contact between the column of the vaporous stream emerging at the first end of the honeycomb structure and the condenser. An apparatus for accomplishing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The channel-plugging of porous ceramic honeycombs to provide wall flow filter bodies therefrom is carried out using water-based cements comprising ceramic powders and soluble alkali metal silicates; the cements form durable plugs that are resistant to thermal and chemical damage upon drying and without firing.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting deformable roller having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is pivotable with respect to a movement of the extrudate exiting an extrusion die, and wherein the roller is adapted to contact the extrudate and correct a corkscrew deformation of the extrudate exiting the extrusion die. The apparatus also includes at least one extrudate-contacting orientation control member for correcting the orientation of a cut section of the extrudate on the extrudate support in response to a misalignment of the reference mark.

Abstract: Diesel engine exhaust filtration systems, and ceramic honeycomb wall flow exhaust filters for such systems, wherein the filters comprise axially centralized filter sections having a higher heat capacity and/or a higher gas flow resistance than peripheral filter sections disposed radially outwardly thereof, the filters thereby exhibiting increased resistance to thermal damage from filter regeneration over-heating.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling gas flow into a combustion engine exhaust gas filter e.g., to control filter temperatures during filter regeneration, comprising providing a fluidic exhaust stream diverter proximate to and centrally of the inlet face of the filter and activating the fluidic diverter to divert exhaust gas flow away from central filter portions toward peripheral filter portions.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is set forth for packaging substrates in a monolith reactor, wherein the substrates are positioned in a stacked relationship along a longitudinal axis of the reactor housing. The stack of substrates is supported in a fixed position at the bottom of the stack, and the upper end of the stack is provided with a predetermined constant compression to not only compensate for different expansions between the stacked substrates and the reactor housing, but also to hold the stacked assemblies together in a tight relationship so as to prevent deleterious vibration of the substrates. The compression is preferably applied by spring-loaded means, which may be adjusted by threading a nut against the loading spring.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering soot particles from diesel engine exhaust gases comprises a casing, a shaped porous filter body, preferably of silicon carbide, SiC, such as a honeycomb structure wall flow filter body made from SiC particles. A membrane made from particles and/or fibres and having a smaller pore size than the filter body is applied on the gas outlet side surfaces of the filter body, and a catalytically active coating is applied on, and in the interior of, the filter body, e.g., on a wash coating. The design of the filter body with the small pore size membrane applied to outlet surfaces allows soot particles to travel into the interior of the filter which has relatively large pores and where they are removed by decomposition by contact with the catalyst deposited in the filter body.

Abstract: Porous ceramic catalyst supports are pre-coated with a passivation layer prior to applying a catalyst or catalyst support coating, the passivation layer consisting of a coating of a liquid mixture comprising at least one coating material selected from the group of polyvinyl alcohol/vinyl amine copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol/vinyl formamide copolymer, and gelatin.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die includes an inlet face having a plurality of feed channels, and a discharge face having an array of intersecting honeycomb discharge slots. The extrusion die also includes a bonded array of pin elements each exposed on the discharge face of the die and juxtaposed to form the discharge slots of the discharge face and the array of feed channels, wherein the discharge slots extend from the feed channels, and wherein the feed channels communicate with the discharge slots so as to guide an extrudable material toward the discharge face. Each pin element includes a plurality of discharge slot surfaces, a plurality of feed channel surfaces continuous with the discharge slot surfaces for guiding the extrudable material toward the discharge face, and a plurality of spacing surfaces for spacing each pin element from adjacent pin elements.

Abstract: Porous ceramic catalyst supports or filters to be provided with catalyst coatings via oxide washcoating processes are pre-coated with polymer barrier layers to prevent washcoat nanoparticle intrusion into the microcracked and/or microporous surfaces of the ceramics, the barrier coatings being formed of hydrocarbon polymers that are soluble or dispersible in polar media, capable of forming neutral or hydrophilic surfaces on porous ceramic supports, and completely vaporizable at moderate washcoat stabilization or catalyst activation temperatures.

Abstract: An improved catalyst system that includes a metal support structure and an anti-corrosive layer on the metal support structure, and has improved resistance to corrosion and other degradation under corrosive environments. Typically, a catalyst supporting layer is applied over the anti-corrosive layer.

Abstract: Porous ceramic catalyst supports or filters to be provided with catalyst coatings via oxide washcoating processes are pre-coated with cross-linked polymer barrier layers to prevent washcoat nanoparticle intrusion into the microcracked and/or microporous surfaces of the ceramics, the barrier coatings being formed by thermally cross-linking hydrocarbon polymers that are vaporizable at moderate washcoat stabilization or catalyst activation temperatures and being preferentially.

Abstract: A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of open-end cells extending therethrough including providing at least one cylindrically-shaped first roller including an engagement surface having a plurality of outwardly-extending teeth spaced along a length and about a circumference of the at least one first roller, wherein the teeth are spaced so as to engage a first subset of a total number of cells exposed on a first end of the honeycomb structure. The method also includes rolling the engagement surface of the at least one first roller across the first end of the honeycomb structure with the teeth extending into the first subset of cells, thereby deforming the first end of the honeycomb structure and plugging a second subset of the total number of cells substantially different from the first subset of cells.

Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in a plugged honeycomb structure includes directing a gas at a first end face of the honeycomb structure at a temperature that is different from a temperature of the honeycomb structure and observing a temperature distribution at a second end face of the honeycomb substrate using an infrared detector, wherein the gas directed at the first end face of the honeycomb structure emerges preferentially at the second end face of the honeycomb structure at locations where the cells in the honeycomb structure are defective and appear as thermal spots in the temperature distribution.

Abstract: A device for distributing fluid into a monolith bed includes a plurality of flow channels stacked in order of decreasing diameter. The flow channels successively split a flow stream into a multiple flow streams prior to the flow stream entering the monolith bed.

Abstract: Systems and processes for the hydrotreatment of pyrolysis gasoline comprising reactors, monolithic catalyst beds and hydrogen-containing treatment gases that allow for improved efficiency and productivity over conventional trickle bed processes and systems for such hydrotreatment.

Abstract: Structured catalysts comprising thick porous inorganic catalyst support coatings disposed on monolithic catalyst support structures, the support coatings having open interconnected porosities of controlled pore size but being characterized by improved durability, physical integrity, and adherence sufficient for use in liquid phase applications under harsh reaction conditions, and methods for making and using them, are disclosed.

Abstract: Honeycomb structures are formed at reduced extrusion pressures and high extrusion rates via extrusion through open cavity honeycomb extrusion dies incorporating large, closely spaced feed channels delivering extrudable material to die honeycomb forming sections incorporating extrudate distribution means in the form of inverted conical or pyramidal flow dividers incorporating inclined flow-guiding surfaces that guide the extrudate into the base ends of plural discharge slot intersections and/or slot segments in direct line with the feed channels.

Abstract: Extruded honeycomb products are formed by means of an extrusion die incorporating a pin support section positioned between the die body and the pin array forming the die discharge slots, the pin support providing enlarged support segments that improve pin stability and die resistance to pin damage without overly restricting batch flow through the die.

Abstract: High-surface-area alumina honeycombs are subjected to a water vapor pre-treatment to obtain protection from cracking damage on subsequent exposure to aqueous media e.g., aqueous solutions for depositing catalysts on the honeycombs.