Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing particulate, nitrogen oxides ("NOx"), sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 "), and mercury ("Hg") emissions from the combustion exhaust of fossil fuel fired plants while producing an end product that is commercially useful, comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier, pulse, corona, or electron beam electrical discharge apparatus (100) to produce HgO and the acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP (120), and separating the particulates from the collected acid mixture, then separating and concentrating the acids for industrial use.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for an internal combustion engine having a cooling jacket surrounding multiple catalyst elements. A thermal barrier layer is formed between the catalyst elements and the cooling jacket to prevent over cooling of the catalyst elements. The thermal barrier layer can be formed from insulating elements such as fibrous material, a plurality of annular rings disposed around the catalyst elements, a corrugated layer, or can be formed by an empty space.

Abstract: There is a connection between on the one hand an electrical power lead made as a metal-clad cable with at least one electrical inner conductor electrically insulated from the metal shroud by a mineral and on the other a device to be electrically connected thereto, especially an electrically heatable catalytic converter, the inner conductor and the device being connected to one another via a detachable terminal connection, one part of which being located on the device and its other part being provided on the free end of the power lead.

Abstract: A treating apparatus for decomposing organohalogen compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), trichloroethylene, methylbromide, halon, and the like, effectively, with a high activity of catalyst, is provided. The apparatus includes a reactor in which organohalogen compounds are decomposed by contact at a temperature in a range of 200.degree..about.500.degree. C. with a catalyst which comprises titania and tungsten oxide by an atomic ratio of Ti and W in a range from 20 mol % to 95 mol % Ti and from 5 mol % to 80 mol % W, with at least the surface of the titania being covered with a porous layer of the tungsten oxide. In accordance with the present invention, organic compounds containing any of fluorine, chlorine and bromine will be decomposed with a high efficiency, and the activity of the catalyst can be maintained for a long time.

Abstract: So that fuels can be produced efficiently from an undesirable greenhouse gas, the gas is subjected, together with a catalyst gas, preferably nitrogen or nitrous oxide, and a hydrogen-containing gas or vapour, to a silent electric discharge in a 1st reactor (4). In the process, excited or ionized atoms and/or molecules are formed which are converted, in a catalyst reactor (8) comprising a copper-containing 1st catalyst (8'), to H.sub.2 and possibly CO. Via an expansion valve (9), a liquid (13) separates from a fuel in a liquid vessel (11). Gases escaping from the liquid vessel (11) are passed over a thermal reactor (14) containing a 2nd catalyst (15) and expanded via an expansion valve (16). In a downstream liquid vessel (11') CH.sub.3 OH, for example, separates as the desired liquid fuel (13'). The 1st reactor (4) and the thermal reactor (14) may be combined in a container comprising a plurality of reaction chambers which are parallel to one another.

Abstract: A hhoneycomb body with thermal insulation, preferably for an exhaust gas catalytic converter, includes a plurality of honeycombs and thermal insulation having a plurality of stacked and/or wound insulating sheet layers which are mutually supported by microstructures provided in the insulating sheet layers so that intermediate spaces exist between the insulating sheet layers. The microstructures have a height of from 10 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m. The honeycomb body therefore has only slight heat losses to the environment.

Abstract: A dust collection electrode with catalyst to be provided on the electronic dust collector is manufactured simply at low cost without using a furnace. To the surface of the metal tube of the sheathed heater a low temperature curing type heat resistant inorganic adhesive is applied. Thereafter, a catalyst such as Zeolite is adhered to the heat-resistant inorganic adhesive. Next, the sheathed heater is energized to make self-heating, and using said heating, the heat-resistant inorganic adhesive is heated to cure, thereby fixing the catalyst layer to the surface of the metal tube.

Abstract: An electrode structure includes: a metallic electrode; a case for accommodating and holding the electrode, and one end of a lead wire connecting to the electrode; and an insulating member interposed between the electrode and the case in order to ensure insulation between the electrode and the case, in which structure a waterproof member is interposed between the case and the lead wire in order to prevent the incoming of water from between the case and the lead wire, and an electric heater havinging the above electrode structure.

Abstract: A particulate trap for use in a diesel engine can efficiently trap particulates contained in exhaust gas with low pressure drop and can burn collected particulates for regeneration with less power consumption. A filter element having a built-in electric heater is mounted in a case provided in the exhaust line of a diesel engine. The filter has two mutually opposed surfaces between which is mounted the electric heater. With this arrangement, it is possible to increase the filtration area and also the heating efficiency.

Abstract: A catalytic converter with a heating member for use in a motorcycle. It includes (a) a catalytic member installed in an exhaust pipe of a motorcycle for converting exhaust toxic gases to nontoxic gases; (b) a liquid petroleum gas heating member including an air mixer, a liquid petroleum gas tank which is connected to the air mixer, a solenoid valve which is connected between the liquid petroleum gas tank and the air mixer for controlling a flow rate of a liquid petroleum gas into the air mixer, and a nozzle which is located at one end of the catalytic member and is connected to the air mixer; (c) a control unit connected to the solenoid valve and an ignition member located in the nozzle, for controlling the solenoid valve and for igniting a mixture of the air and the liquid petroleum gas at the nozzle to heat the catalytic member when a sensor senses an initial cold starting temperature in the catalytic member below a light-off temperature; and (d) a battery wiring to the control unit.

Abstract: An automobile catalytic converter that utilizes the energy of the exothermic reactions that take place in the catalysis substrate to produce electrical energy with a thermoelectric generator. On vehicle cold start, the thermoelectric generator is used as a heat pump to heat the catalyst substrate to reduce the time to catalyst light-off. In this way, the catalytic converter comes up to operating temperature more rapidly, reducing the amount of pollutant emissions at vehicle start-up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device wherein polluted effluents are passed into a cage (2) where a partitioned ring (1) of vertical axis, containing a charge (M) of a solid material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface and, against the inner wall thereof, a catalyst bed (9), rotates. An autothermal working point is reached by including in the catalyst bed heating means (resistors for example) that are temporarily connected to the power supply system, after which the cleaning operations with rotation of the ring and effluent circulation are launched. Heat control is thereafter provided by controlled injection into the effluents of either a fuel or sprayed water for example by means of injectors (15, 16). The device can be applied in the field of incineration of VOC for example in industrial effluents.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for reducing the amount of soot particles discharged from the exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine. Owing to the addition of an additive to the fuel, the ignition temperature of the soot particles during afterburning is reduced to between approximately 300 and 350.degree. C., so dropping far below the normal operating temperature of the unit. Consequently the regeneration process of the filter in the unit starts comparatively early. An essential component of the present invention is the so-called deep-bed filter which is composted of a plurality of rolled-up tubes of special ceramic thread and a heat-resistant resilient steel wire. The special production method and special construction of the ceramic stack according to the invention guarantee a satisfactory useful life of the soot filter which withstands vibrations and mechanical stresses.

Abstract: An effluent gas stream treatment system for treatment of gaseous effluents such as waste gases from semiconductor manufacturing operations. The effluent gas stream treatment system comprises a pre-oxidation treatment unit, which may for example comprise a scrubber, an oxidation unit such an electrothermal oxidizer, and a post-oxidation treatment unit, such as a wet or dry scrubber. The effluent gas stream treatment system of the invention may utilize an integrated oxidizer, quench and wet scrubber assembly, for abatement of hazardous or otherwise undesired components from the effluent gas stream. Gas or liquid shrouding of gas streams in the treatment system may be provided by high efficiency inlet structures.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust from combustion processes, especially exhaust from internal combustion engines, and the manufacturing method thereof, the converter including a housing and a plurality of packets provided therein. Each of the packets includes at least one corrugated foil joined at contact areas to at least one flat foil, preferably by soldering or welding. The flat and/or corrugated foil is provided at least partially with a catalytically active coating. The spaces between the corrugated foil and/or between the at least one flat foil and the at least one corrugated foil define channels running parallel to one another through which the combustion gas flows. At least one electrically heatable foil is connected on or in at least one packet with good heat conduction.

Abstract: An electrically insulating supporting structure, such as of an electrically heatable catalytic converter or honeycomb body being mechanically loadable in all directions for metallic bonding to electrically conductive components being electrically separated from one another, includes a first metallic structure, a second metallic structure and an electrically insulating, ceramic material disposed between the structures and three-dimensionally pressed-in from substantially all sides. The structures are shaped to exert pressure from substantially all sides onto the ceramic material, without touching one another.

Abstract: A catalytic plasma converter combines oxidation and reduction of exhaust gas emissions such as HC, CO, NO and NOx by providing a pair of catalytic metallic porous elements, such as electrically conductive metal matrix material, spaced apart to define an intermediate reaction chamber. High voltage electric charges of opposite polarity applied to the two elements generate a gas plasma in exhaust gases passing through the converter reaction chamber. Passage of gases through the catalytic elements oxidizes CO and HC emissions present in the exhaust gases while the gas plasma in the reaction chamber causes reduction of NO and NOx and further reaction of HC and CO exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor for catalytic conversion of exhaust gases, in particular exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, includes a honeycomb body disposed in a metallic casing. The honeycomb body has a large number of channels through which exhaust gas can flow, a gas inlet side and a gas outlet side. The honeycomb body is thermally insulated by internal insulation over a part of its length from the gas inlet side onward and preferably also from the gas outlet side onward, with respect to an inner surface of the casing. An outer surface of the casing also has thermal insulation at least in some regions. The casing serves as a heat store or accumulator, at least in some regions. This construction provides advantageous properties during both cold starting and hot starting as one sub-region rapidly heats up during cold starting and one sub-region only slowly cools down after prolonged operation due to storage of heat in the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to achieve enhanced cleaning capacity for exhaust from a motor vehicle, especially during cold starting of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a first catalytic converter, and a hydrocarbon trap located downstream of the first catalytic converter. A second catalytic converter is then located downstream of the hydrocarbon trap. The distance between the first catalytic converter and the hydrocarbon trap is selected so that the period of time that elapses from the start of the engine until desorption occurs in the hydrocarbon trap is greater than or equal to the period of time that elapses from the start of the engine until the first catalytic converter lights up to its normal operating temperature. An electrically heated start converter located upstream of the second catalytic converter is activated when desorption occurs in the hydrocarbon trap.

Abstract: An electrically heatable starter catalytic converter (5) has a metallic housing (6) in which is arranged the actual catalyst (7) exposed to the exhaust gas flow, an electric resistance heating (8) and an electric connection line (10) that enters the housing (6) through an opening (9). The invention is characterized in that the electric connection line (10) is a metal-clad cable with at least one inner lead (11) electrically insulated from the metal cladding by a mineral (13). The inner lead (11) frictionally engages the electric resistance heating (8), and the metal cladding (12) enters the metallic housing (6) through the opening (9) and is welded or soldered to the edge of the opening (9) in a gas-tight manner.

Abstract: An exhaust purifier for an internal combustion engine is capable of properly heating a catalyst in consideration of a deterioration with time and manufacturing variation in an electric heater that heats the catalyst.The exhaust purifier has the catalyst 4 disposed in an exhaust pipe, the electric heater for forcibly heating the catalyst 4, a power source for supplying power to the heater, an estimate unit for estimating the temperature that the catalyst 4 will reach, a comparator for providing the difference between the estimated temperature and a target temperature, and an operation controller for controlling the operating conditions of the engine according to the temperature difference. The estimate unit measures the voltage and current of the heater, calculates the resistance or power of the heater according to the voltage and current, and estimates the temperature.

Abstract: In an electrically heated catalyst support, when necessary, reinforcing layers are formed on the inner circumference and the outer circumference of a honeycomb body. On an end surface of the honeycomb body on the downstream side of exhaust gas, there are provided a plurality of insulating ceramic bars on the outer circumferential layer and/or the inner circumferential layer in such a manner that the insulating ceramic bars cross a non-reinforcing layer of the honeycomb body. End portions of the ceramic bars are held on the reinforcing layer by pins or a ring-shaped holding member joined to an external metallic cylinder. Due to the foregoing arrangement, telescoping of the honeycomb body in the direction of gas flow and damage of the metallic foil can be prevented without obstructing the generation of heat when electricity is supplied. Accordingly, durability of the catalyst support can be remarkably enhanced.

Abstract: A catalytic detector for a flammable gas comprises a substrate and a sensing structure suspended from the substrate. The sensing structure has a combined heating element and temperature sensing element in the form of a layer-deposited electrically conductive track terminating in at least two electrically conductive bridging leads. A catalytic bead is deposited over the temperature sensing element and that portion of the substrate which is directly beneath the sensing structure is etched away so as to isolate thermally the sensing structure with the temperature sensing structure being supported by the bridging leads. The electrically conductive track is sandwiched between a substrate adhesion layer for facilitating adhesion of the conductive track and a superstrate diffusion barrier layer. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing a gas detector and a sensing structure.

Abstract: A combustor method and apparatus is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion with one or more of three improvements to enhance ignition of the flameless combustor. A catalytic surface can be provided within a combustion chamber to provide flameless combustion at least in the vicinity of the catalytic surface at a temperature that is much lower than the autoignition temperature of fuel in air without the presence of the catalytic surface. Nitrous oxide or supplemental oxygen may also be used as an oxidant either instead of air or with air to reduce ignition temperatures. Further, electrical energy can be passed through the fuel conduit, raising the temperature of the conduit to a temperature above which the fuel will ignite when combined with the oxidant.

Abstract: An electrically insulating gas-tight penetration is provided for at least two electrical conductors passing through a metal shell of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, in particular a metal shell of an electrically heatable catalytic converter. The shell has a sheath in the region of the penetration and the conductors extend through the sheath. Electromagnetic impulses are avoided by running the conductors coaxially to one another.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a housing, a honeycomb heater fixed to inside the housing, and a catalytic element disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater. The honeycomb heater has a first honeycomb structure made of metal having a first partition wall having a plurality of first throughholes, and at least one electrode for electrifying the first honeycomb structure. The catalytic element fixed to inside the housing and disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater has a second honeycomb structure having a second partition wall having a plurality of second throughholes, and a catalytic compound loaded on the second honeycomb structure. A horizontal cross-section of the honeycomb structure is made smaller than that of the honeycomb structure. Further, a gap between an outflow end surface of the honeycomb structure and an inflow end surface of the honeycomb structure is made large.

Abstract: This invention which combines an oxygen storage system with a catalytic converter to enhance the conversion of common pollutants found in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. The oxygen storage element is placed upstream of the catalytic converter and is designed to extract excess oxygen from the exhaust gas stream and release the extracted oxygen when the exhaust gas stream is oxygen deficient. Controlling the oxygen level in this manner allows for effectiveness of the converter to be increased.

Abstract: A honeycomb support structure of an electrically-heated catalyst apparatus is disclosed, in which a support member of retainers for preventing an electrically-heated catalyst moving backward is coupled to an outer cylinder while causing the support member to follow the thermal deformation of the outer cylinder thereby to suppress the deformation of the support member due to the thermal stress. A metal foil laminate having a corrugated foil and a tabular foil superposed one on the other is spirally wound to form a cylindrical honeycomb unit, which is accommodated in a metal outer cylinder and is heated by being supplied with power. The honeycomb unit support structure includes a plurality of ceramic bars and at least a support member having a plurality of recesses for holding the ceramic bars at such a position as to traverse the end surface of the honeycomb unit downstream of the exhaust gas flow and in such a manner as to follow the deformation of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body includes a large number of passages which are defined by partition walls made of an electroconductive material and which are substantially parallel to the direction of a gas flowing through the honeycomb body, and two ends which are the gas inlet and outlet sides of honeycomb body. At least one slit is formed to control, upon electrification of honeycomb body, the flow of electricity therein and consequently the heat generation therein.

Abstract: An electrically heatable catalytic converter for internal combustion engines is provided. This catalytic converter includes a honeycomb multi-layered core member wound around an electrode. The multi-layered core member consists of a plurality of flat metal foil sheets and a plurality of corrugated metal foil sheets arranged alternately and bonded to each other for preventing the core member from telescoping in the direction of exhaust gas flow, especially, during high-load engine operation.

Abstract: The electrically heated catalytic converter of the present invention has a substrate, for a catalyst, which is formed as a laminated assembly of corrugated metal sheets and plain metal sheets. The corrugated metal sheet has an insulating coating made of an alumina Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and the plain metal sheet has no insulating coating. Local conductive connections are formed between the layers of the metal sheets by soldering the metal sheets using strips of zirconium solder foils interposed between the layers of the metal sheets. The strips of solder foils are arranged in such a manner that the strips of solder foil disposed on both sides of the corrugated metal sheet defines a single electric path in the corrugated metal sheet which connects the solder foils on both sides of the corrugated metal sheet.

Abstract: Device for cleaning exhaust gases by a metallic catalyst carrier that is installed in an exhaust gas passage and is contained in a metallic outer cylinder, wherein a structure for absorbing a difference in the thermal expansion between the metallic catalyst carrier and the outer cylinder is realized without causing stress to the metallic catalyst carrier and without requiring strict tolerance in production. A cushioning material made of a heat-resistant wire gauze is arranged between the metallic catalyst carrier and the metallic outer cylinder, and the cushioning material, metallic carrier and metallic outer cylinder are conductively joined. The cushioning material is compressed between the metallic catalyst carrier and the outer cylinder, and the cushioning material is joined to the metallic catalyst carrier and to the outer cylinder. Here, the junction is accomplished locally without overlapping one upon the other in the axial direction of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A catalytic heater includes a catalyst, for the combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon in air, supported on a catalyst support. Fuel diffuses into the catalyst support from one (proximal) side. Air diffuses into the catalyst support from the other (distal) side. The catalytic combustion of the fuel heats the catalyst support. The resulting infrared radiation from the distal side of the catalyst support is directed at an object to be heated, for example the fluid chamber of a boiler. A modular boiler includes several catalytic heaters, with the distal sides of their catalyst supports facing a chamber wherethrough a fluid such as water is conducted and heated by the infrared radiation from the heaters.

Abstract: There is provided an improved converter body formed of thin metal core elements and a housing. The thin metal core elements have a distal end and a proximal end The distal ends are secured to the housing, and at least some, preferably all, of the proximal ends are free of attachment to any rigid member. This structure results in improved durability in severe automotive tests.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has an upstream catalyst-coated core and downstream catalyst-coated core housed in a same casing, the upstream core being provided with a heater. A bypass passage for bypassing the upstream core to the downstream core is formed between the casing and upstream core. By providing these two catalyst-coated cores and the bypass passage in the casing, the catalytic converter is rendered compact. Further, as the flowrate of exhaust gas through the upstream catalyst is reduced by the bypass passage, temperature rise of the upstream catalyst due to the heater is accelerated, and the emission amount of hydrocarbons and carbon oxides during engine warm-up is decreased.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifier for collecting particulates with fiber filters while reducing NO.sub.x by the action of granulated materials disposed on the outer sides of the fiber filters and having an NO.sub.x -reducing action. In this exhaust gas purifier, the fiber filters for collecting particulates contained in exhaust gas are constituted of a randomly laminated nonwoven fabric, and electric wire nets are disposed on the inner sides of the fiber filters. The granulated materials made of Ba.sub.3 Y.sub.4 O.sub.9, BaLa.sub.2 O.sub.4 or Ba.sub.2 In.sub.2 O.sub.5 having an NO.sub.x -reducing action are filled in a large numbers of cells of porous members disposed on the downstream sides of the fiber filters.

Abstract: There is provided a trap apparatus, which is inserted in a vacuum exhaust system sucking and discharging an exhaust gas from a process apparatus by a vacuum pump, for trapping a tramp material contained in the exhaust gas, said trap apparatus comprising, a trapping passage container inserted in the exhaust passage, at the upstream side of the vacuum pump, and a heating trap, housed in the trapping passage container, for heating the exhaust gas to a predetermined temperature while the heating trap is brought into contact with the exhaust gas flowing, thereby subjecting the tramp material in the exhaust gas to pyrolysis. Thus, the unaffected process gas circulated through the exhaust passage is touched by the heating trap and pyrolytically decomposed, and separated metal adheres to the heating trap so as to be trapped thereby.

Abstract: An exhaust purifier of an internal combustion engine supplies secondary air into an exhaust pipe without cooling nor inactivating an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) that is active. The exhaust purifier includes the EHC 3 disposed in the exhaust pipe 2, a main catalyst 4 disposed in the exhaust pipe 2 downstream from the EHC 3, and a unit for supplying secondary air into the exhaust pipe 2. The secondary air supply unit has a main path 10 for supplying secondary air into a space defined in the exhaust pipe 2 between the EHC 3 and the main catalyst 4 when it is determined that the main catalyst 4 is active. The secondary air supply unit may additionally have a second path 9 for supplying secondary air into the exhaust pipe 2 on the upstream side of the EHC 3 when it is determined that the EHC 3 is active, so that the secondary air may pass through the EHC 3 and reach the main catalyst 4.

Abstract: Poisoning-preventive and poisoning-resistant materials are described, including: a poisoning-preventive layer-possessing support including a support and, formed thereon, a poisoning-preventive layer having a compound containing at least one element selected from the Group IIa element of the periodic table.

Abstract: A device for removal of SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x from flue gas by high frequency discharge has a chamber having a first inlet opening for entry of flue gas into the chamber and an outlet opening for flue gas to exit from the chamber after removal of SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x. A generator and electrode produce a high frequency electric field of sufficient strength in the chamber to produce high energy electrons that achieve both excitation and ionization potentials of N.sub.2, O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O, whereby to produce free radicals of OH., O.sub.2 H., N., O. and H. which react with SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x molecules in the flue gas. A second inlet opening into the chamber adds ammonia to the SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x for reaction with the free radicals in neutralization producing ammonium salts from the SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x in the flue gas exiting from the chamber.

Abstract: Gas-cleaning equipment is disclosed, which comprises a housing having an intake vent and an exhaust vent and having disposed between the two vents a fan having at least one rotating blade. Air pollutant-removing system using the gas-cleaning equipment is also disclosed. This gas-cleaning equipment can effectively clean a gas through the action of plasma produced by glow discharge caused by rotation of said fan. When a metal layer having a catalytic activity is fixed onto the surface of said rotating blade, this metal layer also functions to effectively clean the gas. In the case where both the plasma and the metal layer function to clean the gas, there car be obtained synergistic effects. Cleaning of the gas can be conducted with more efficiency by bringing the intake gas into contact with the fan in an oxygen-free state. A magnet provided as an outer wall of the housing serves to generate plasma with higher density, leading to more effective cleaning of the gas.

Abstract: An HC adsorbent which adsorbs hydrocarbons in a predetermined low temperature region and discharges hydrocarbons in a temperature region higher than the lower temperature region is provided in an engine exhaust passage. A catalyst which oxidizes hydrocarbons in a predetermined high temperature region is provided downstream of the HC adsorbent. A heater for heating exhaust is provided upstream of the HC adsorbent. A control unit activates the heater when the exhaust temperature has risen to near the upper limit of the lower temperature region. Activation of the catalyst is thereby promoted, and the time until the catalyst starts oxidizing hydrocarbons discharged by the HC adsorbent is shortened.

Abstract: A filter is provided for treating carbon-based particles in exhaust gas discharged from a diesel internal combustion engine, etc., said filter providing in addition to a high throughput capacity, excellent durability, and good economic and maintenance properties, and a device for treating carbon-based particles in exhaust gas having a high throughput capacity, the regeneration of which is easy. This filter is obtained by cutting an end face of a coiled material that is obtained by winding a sheet of a high-temperature resistant stainless steel having resistance heat-generating properties to produce fibers, gathering the thus-produced fibers to form a web, sintering the web, heat-treating the sintered web to form an alumina film on the surface of the sintered fibers, and optionally supporting a catalyst on the alumina film.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalyst installed in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, featuring simple construction, without causing the flow resistance of the exhaust gases to increase, and consuming small amounts of electric power. The electrically heated catalyst has two electrodes of different polarities in a casing through which the exhaust gases flow and has at least one catalyst support that is folded plural times in a zig-zag manner in a direction intersecting the direction of flow of the exhaust gases without coming into contact with itself, the two ends of the catalyst support being connected to these two electrodes. The catalyst support is constituted by a flat foil and a corrugated foil that are joined together, and electric insulators are provided at the folding portions of the catalyst support to stretch and support the catalyst support inside the casing. Owing to the insulators, the catalyst support is held in the casing in a state of receiving tension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment unit which possesses a stable treating capacity, with a reduced running cost. The exhaust gas treatment unit removes noxious gases such as monosilane contained in an exhaust gas by thermal decomposition. The exhaust gas treatment unit includes a heating drum (5) into which the exhaust gas and oxygen or air are introduced and a heating source (6) disposed on the outer periphery of the heating drum (5) so as to heat the inside of said heating drum (5). A temperature sensor (14) detects the temperature of the inside of said heating drum (5) in the vicinity of its outlet and a controller (16) controls the heating source (6) in accordance with a detected temperature value from the temperature sensor (14) so that the temperature of the inside of said heating drum (5) in the vicinity of the outlet is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body includes a plurality of passages which are each defined by partition walls made of an electroconductive material and which are substantially parallel to the direction of a gas flowing through the honeycomb body, and two ends which are the gas inlet and outlet sides of honeycomb body, wherein the heat generation of the honeycomb body by electrification is controlled by adjusting the flow of electricity therein and wherein those cells each constituted by a passage and partition walls, present in the vicinity of each current-concentrating portion are formed in such a structure that the stress caused by current concentration can be reduced. This honeycomb body can reduce the stress caused by current concentration and thereby can prevent the rupture of its cells.

Abstract: A device for catalytically converting exhaust gases in an exhaust system, especially an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, preferably for Otto engines, includes at least two honeycomb bodies which are disposed in an outer jacket tube and through which an exhaust gas can flow in succession. The adjacent honeycomb bodies are joined to one another through the use of support elements protruding into the honeycomb bodies. The first honeycomb body is spaced apart relative to the outer jacket tube and has at least two shells joined to a jacket surface of the first honeycomb body, which are each connected to an electrical power lead. Electrically insulating joining elements each have one end joined to a shell and another end joined to the adjacent second honeycomb body. The outer jacket tube has at least one encompassing bead, which rests on a jacket tube of the second adjacent honeycomb body.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine having an electrically heated catalyst heats the catalyst with sufficient power without fluctuating the rotation speed of the engine. The apparatus has an alternator 2 driven by the engine 1, an intake controller 3 disposed in an intake system of the engine 1, to change the quantity of intake air, a battery 8 charged by the alternator 2, the catalyst 4 disposed in an exhaust system of the engine 1 and powered by the battery 8 and alternator 2, and a regulator 7 for changing the field current of the alternator 2, to change power to be generated by the alternator 2. When activating the catalyst 4, the intake controller 3 increases the quantity of intake air, and the regulator 7 increases power to be generated by the alternator 2. Increasing the field current of the alternator 2 is delayed behind increasing the quantity of intake air.

Abstract: A catalytic device is disclosed, in which a catalytic layer is electrically heated and activated. In one form, the quantity of the catalytic layer is greater near a gas outlet than near a gas inlet of the device. In another form, the catalytic layer is disposed only near the gas outlet. The catalytic layer can be quickly activated so as to promote purification of exhaust emissions immediately following the ignition.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed at an apparatus for removing VOC's from an exhaust gas stream comprised of the following: a heatable adsorber located in the exhaust stream capable of desorption; and, an oxidizer structure having a lightoff temperature and located in the exhaust stream downstream from the adsorber structure. One particular embodiment of the apparatus comprises the following two elements: (1) a resistively heatable adsorber possessing an activated carbon phase located in the exhaust stream and having a desorption temperature; and, (2) an electrically heatable catalyst structure having a lightoff temperature and located in the exhaust stream downstream from the adsorber structure.The method enabled as a result of the development of the aforementioned apparatus, i.e.