Abstract: A method for catalytically cleaning an exhaust gas, including receiving the exhaust gas in an inlet channel, blocking the exhaust gas in the inlet channel, diffusing the exhaust gas through a porous substantially fibrous nonwoven wall of the inlet channel, reacting the exhaust gas with at least one catalyst material to at least partially remove nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide therefrom, the at least one catalyst material being disposed on the porous wall, trapping particulate matter in the porous substantially fibrous nonwoven wall, receiving the diffused exhaust gas into an outlet channel, and transitioning the exhaust gas from the outlet channel to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate is disclosed that is fabricated from biosoluble ceramic fibers. Porosity and permeability of the substrate is provided by intertangled biosoluble fibers, that can be formed into a honeycomb form substrate through an extrusion process. The fibrous structure is formed from mixing biosoluble fibers with additives that include a bonding agent, and a fluid to provide an extrudable mixture. The structure is sintered at a temperature that exceeds the glass formation temperature of the bonding agent, but less than the maximum operational limits of the biosoluble fiber, to form a structure that has sufficient strength and porosity to provide for filtration and/or as a catalytic host.

Abstract: A gasoline engine exhaust system for catalytically converting carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and hydrocarbon pollutants into non-pollutant species and for trapping particulate matter, including a gasoline engine exhaust, and a housing and an inlet port formed in the housing and fluidically connected to the gasoline engine exhaust. The system also includes an outlet port formed in the housing and fluidically connected to the atmosphere, a plurality of inlet channels in the housing, a plurality of outlet channels arranged adjacent to the inlet channels, a plurality of substantially fibrous non-woven porous walls separating the inlet channels from the outlet channels, a first catalyst material disposed on the porous walls, and a second catalyst material disposed on the porous walls.

Abstract: The present invention in certain embodiments is directed to a catalytic substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a catalytic converter or a particulate filter. Another aspect of the present invention is a filtering substrate suitable for use in a number of applications, including as a substrate in a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), or diesel particulate trap (DPT). The invention also provides an improved substrate for removing and/or eliminating pollutants from the exhaust of combustion engines. The catalytic substrate and filtering substrate provide, in certain embodiments, improvements in removing pollutants from an exhaust gas.

Abstract: A porous fibrous honeycomb substrate having an aluminum titanate composition and methods of producing the same are provided herein. Precursors of aluminum titanate are provided in an extrudable mixture that includes fiber materials to form a green honeycomb substrate. When cured, the precursors of aluminum titanate form an aluminum titanate composition, with the fiber materials defining the porous microstructure. Various composite structures including aluminum titanate are provided to form a porous honeycomb substrate that can be configured to be filtration media and/or a catalytic host.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a highly porous substrate. More particularly, the present invention enables fibers, such as organic, inorganic, glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal fibers, to be combined with binders and additives, and extruded, to form a porous substrate. Depending on the selection of the constituents used to form an extrudable mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables process advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrudable mixture may use a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Additives can be selected that form inorganic bonds between overlapping fibers in the extruded substrate that provide enhanced strength and performance of the porous substrate in a variety of applications, such as, for example, filtration and as a host for catalytic processes, such as catalytic converters.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fibrous material includes mixing at least two cordierite precursor materials to form a mixture. One or more of the at least two cordierite precursor materials is in a form of a fiber and the mixture includes about 43% to about 51% by weight SiO2, about 36% to about 41% by weight Al2O3, and about 12% to about 16% by weight MgO. The method also includes extruding the mixture to create a fibrous body, and heat treating the fibrous body, at a temperature of about 1200° C. to about 1420° C., to form the fibrous material including about 50% to about 95% by weight cordierite. A fibrous body includes an extruded substrate having a plurality of fibers including about 50% to about 95% by weight cordierite. The extruded substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion in at least one direction of less than about 3.8·10?6 per ° C.

Abstract: A porous ceramic body comprises a plurality of fibers and a bonding system bonding a portion of at least two fibers of the plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The bonding system has a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. In some embodiments, when the plurality of fibers and the bonding system are combined the resulting porous ceramic body has a third coefficient of thermal expansion which is at least about 10% less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An exhaust gas pollution treatment device, having an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe with an exhaust path extending between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. A gas permeable backbone member is positioned in the exhaust path and a substantially fibrous nonwoven refractory material is disposed on the backbone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust system conduit, including a generally cylindrical outer portion and a generally cylindrical inner portion disposed within the generally cylindrical outer portion and defining a generally cylindrical fluid-flow path. The generally cylindrical inner portion further includes a substantially fibrous porous nonwoven refractory monolith and a catalyst material at least partially coating the monolith.

Abstract: A fibrous ceramic material comprises a plurality of fibers having a modified aluminosilicate compositional structure (i.e., x(RO).y(Al2O3).z(SiO2) or w(MO).x(RO).y(Al2O3).z(SiO2)). The fibrous ceramic material is form by combining two or more x(RO).y(Al2O3).z(SiO2) or w(MO).x(RO).y(Al2O3).z(SiO2) precursors in which at least one of the two or more precursors is in fiber form. The resulting fibrous ceramic material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion (i.e., ?4.7×10?6/° C.).

Abstract: A fibrous ceramic material comprises a plurality of fibers having a RxMg2Al4+xSi5?xO18 or RxMg2?xAl4Si5O18 compositional structure. The fibrous ceramic material is form by combining two or more RxMg2Al4+xSi5?xO18 or RxMg2?xAl4Si5O18 precursors in which at least one of the two or more RxMg2Al4+xSi5?xO18 or RxMg2?xAl4Si5O18 precursors is in fiber form. The fibrous ceramic material is shaped to form a fibrous body in which at least about 20% of all fibers therein are aligned in a substantially common direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell reformer cleanup substrate is an extruded porous substrate of fiber-based inorganic materials. More particularly, the present invention enables an efficient fuel cell reformate cleanup filtration using a highly porous, and permeable honeycomb substrate having a washcoat that adsorbs impurities in the reformate stream upstream of a fuel cell. The porous substrate can be fabricated using an extrusion process and a number of washcoat compositions can be disposed within the porous substrate to provide adsorption of the reformate impurities.

Abstract: A fibrous silicon carbide substrate is disclosed that provides porosity through an open network of pores resulting from an intertangled arrangement of silicon carbide fibers. The fibrous structure is formed from mixing carbon or organic fibers with silicon based additives, and forming a honeycomb substrate. The carbon or organic fibers are heated in an inert environment to form silicon carbide through a reaction of the carbon in the fibers and the silicon-based additives.

Abstract: A fibrous silicon carbide substrate is disclosed that provides porosity through an open network of pores resulting from an intertangled arrangement of silicon carbide fibers. The fibrous structure is formed from mixing carbon or organic fibers with silicon based additives, and forming a honeycomb substrate. The carbon or organic fibers are heated in an inert environment to form silicon carbide through a reaction of the carbon in the fibers and the silicon-based additives.

Abstract: A method for catalytically cleaning an exhaust gas, including receiving the exhaust gas in an inlet channel, blocking the exhaust gas in the inlet channel, diffusing the exhaust gas through a porous substantially fibrous nonwoven wall of the inlet channel, reacting the exhaust gas with at least one catalyst material to at least partially remove nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide therefrom, the at least one catalyst material being disposed on the porous wall, trapping particulate matter in the porous substantially fibrous nonwoven wall, receiving the diffused exhaust gas into an outlet channel, and transitioning the exhaust gas from the outlet channel to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.

Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.