Abstract: A method for treating cooking fumes to oxidize oxidizeable particulate and gaseous components thereof includes contacting the fumes with a catalytic material containing ceria and alumina each having a BET surface of at least about 10 m.sup.2 /g, for example, ceria and activated alumina in a weight ratio of from about 1.5:1 and 1:1.5 and a BET surface area of from about 25 m.sup.2 /g to 200 m.sup.2 /g. Optionally, a catalytic metal component such as platinum or palladium may be included in the catalytic material. The foodstuffs cooking fumes are contacted with the catalyst composition (22 or 40) at a temperature of 200.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. to promote the oxidation of both particulate (atomized) animal and/or vegetable oils and fats and oxidizeable gas phase components of the fumes. Optionally, a separate, supplemental gas phase oxidation catalyst (42) may be used in conjunction with and downstream of the above-described catalyst (40) to provide a two-catalyst system for treating cooking fumes.

Abstract: An exhaust management system comprising a catalytic converter having a catalyst operative to reduce HC emissions from a flow of exhaust gas from an automotive internal combustion engine when the catalyst is above a light-off temperature and a heater assembly mounted in the flow of exhaust gas, upstream of the catalyst and exterior of the catalytic converter, wherein the heater assembly includes an electric heater located more than one inch from a front surface of the catalyst.

Abstract: A reforming reactor is provided with a catalyst and a heating resistor. The heating resistor is embedded in a catalyst. A reforming reactor can start rapidly with high thermal efficiency and which is excellent in recovery of hydrogen.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalytic converter having a substrate for a catalyst, a rod-like metal electrode connected to the substrate, and a casing accommodating the substrate. The substrate for the catalyst is formed as a scroll-like cylindrical laminated assembly of thin metal sheets wound around the electrode. The electrode extends from the laminated assembly along the central axis, bends towards the wall of the casing and penetrates the casing. The electrode is fixed to the casing via an insulating material at the point where it penetrates the casing. When the electricity is fed to the electrode, electric current flows through the electrode to the laminated assembly, and to the casing, and heat is generated in the substrate by the electric current and the temperature of the catalyst carried by the substrate quickly reaches the activating temperature. The rod-like electrode of the present invention is formed as a hollow pipe.

Abstract: System for the treatment of liquid and gas products, the disposal of which is detrimental to the environment. The system has a single thermolysis reactor, a chamber for feeding the liquid or gas products to be treated, an intermediate disk for the passage of the gas to be treated, a thermolysis chamber in which the thermo-catalytic-decomposition takes place and a purification chamber in which are selectively retained for elimination chemical elements released by thermo-catalytic-decomposition.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier includes a filter for collecting particulates, a heater for firing collected particulates, a blower for feeding air, and a controller for controlling power supplied to the heater and air flow rate of the blower. The air flow rate is varied in a regeneration period for improving the regeneration efficiency and for protecting the filter. In one embodiment, the air flow rate is initially reduced in the burning period and increased after burning in the radial direction at the downstream portion of the filter. The burning propagation speed, the heat generation and the increase of the temperature of the filter are limited by suppressing the air flow rate in the burning period. The particulates remaining in the downstream portion of the filter due to the suppressed air flow rate supplied in the burning period can be burned subsequently by supplying an increased air flow rate after the burning period.

Abstract: A reactor that can be attached to the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine to oxidize and burn carbon soot particles, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons, and to dissociate nitrogen and sulfur oxides. The reactor has a reaction zone that contains porous heat-retaining foam cells and that is bounded by a porous heat-retaining zone, which in turn is surrounded by ceramic insulation materials to minimize energy losses. Engine exhaust at elevated temperatures and containing some oxygen (air) enters the reaction chamber. By means of impinging heat transfer, thermal radiation enhancement, energy trapping and combustion of engine emissions, temperatures sufficient to oxidize carbon soot particles, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons are attained. Steam or atomized water droplets are introduced to improve the efficiency of the reactor through gasification, regasification, water shift reactions, methanation, and hydrocracking reactions. Harmless product of the oxidation reactions, H.sub.

Abstract: An assembly for operating an electrical heater in a catalytic converter system connected in an exhaust gas cleaning system downstream of an internal combustion engine. The electrical heater is supplied with an electrical heating current through an electronically controlled power switch. The system is heated with the electrical heater to or above a minimum temperature necessary for catalytic conversion. The temperature of the catalytic converter is measured and utilized as a controlled variable of at least two different control circuits. At least one preferred control circuit is defined from a plurality of control circuits. The system is controlled in regular operation with the preferred control circuit. The preferred control circuit is automatically monitored for malfunction and, if a malfunction is detected, control is automatically transferred to another control circuit.

Abstract: A catalyst heater assembly for use in a catalytic converter comprising: an electric heater through which a flow of gas passes, wherein the electric heater heats the gas; a plurality of legs around an exterior of the heater, each leg extending in an axial direction toward a flow inlet of the catalytic converter; a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein each of the legs is attached to an exterior peripheral surface of the outlet end and wherein the inlet end is mounted at the flow inlet of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater comprising a honeycomb structure and a catalyst layer supported on partition walls of the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb heater includes a first portion that is resistance adjusted such that the first portion is adapted to heat more quickly than a second portion of the honeycomb heater. The first portion includes at least an inlet end of the honeycomb that receives gas that flows therethrough. In addition, the first portion has an area along the gas inlet within a range of 5 to 50% of the sectional area of the gas inlet. The first portion may extend through the honeycomb structure and terminate before reaching the gas outlet of the heater. The partition walls of the first portion may have a different hydraulic diameter, different thickness or different cell density than the second portion of the honeycomb heater.

Abstract: Method for converting reactive gases which are sucked in at a low inlet pressure and are expelled at a higher outlet pressure by a dry multi-stage pump, in which method the reactive gases are physically and/or chemically converted into nonreactive components at a pressure situated between the inlet and outlet pressure, the conversion taking place, according to the invention, by means of gas discharge. The invention also relates to a dry multi-stage vacuum pump (3) and a plasma scrubber (4) which are particularly suitable for use in the method according to the invention.

Abstract: An electric heater comprises a central electrode and a ring electrode with a honeycomb heat generator disposed therebetween. The honeycomb heat generator is formed by winding a conductive foil strip around the central electrode until the size of the rolled honeycomb body just fits to the ring electrode. The surface of the conductive foil strip is coated by an insulating material, thereby preventing a short circuit between two layers of the conductive foil strip wound around the central electrode. A plurality of bonding parts are provided to electrically connect adjacent layers of the conductive foil strip wound around the central electrode. The bonding parts are disposed along a plurality of bonding lines extending across the layers of the conductive foil strip. The bonding parts are disposed on every other bonding line along each layer of the conductive foil strip.

Abstract: A structure of an electrode unit for applying electricity to a conductible substance (4) installed in a metallic housing (2) has a metallic electrode (6) connected to a portion of the conductible substance (4), an insulating member (8, 8') positioned between the electrode (6) and the metallic housing (2), and a metallic sealing material (10,10') to be transformed by fastening a nut so as to secure sealability between the electrode (6) and the insulating member (8) and between the metallic housing (2) and the insulating member (8). The structure of an electrode unit is excellent in an insulating property and a gas sealability between the metallic housing (2) and electrode (6) and therefore has high reliability.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater includes a honeycomb structure having a periphery, a front end, and a back end, including a plurality of passages which are defined by partition walls and extend in an axial direction of the honeycomb structure, the honeycomb structure being electrically conductive, whereby fluid flows through the passages from the front end to the back end; and a device for applying electric current to the honeycomb structure so as to generate heat; wherein at least one gap for obstructing electric current extends through the partition walls from the back end toward the front end but does not reach the front end so that, upon applying electric current to the honeycomb structure, a front region of the honeycomb structure heats more quickly than a back region of the honeycomb structure thereby a catalyst composition loaded onto the front region is activated earlier. Slit may extend between the front end and the back end.

Abstract: A corona source suitable for use in vehicle ignition systems uses a conductive coil that receives an RF input at one end and has a corona discharge site at the other end, with a reference electrode capacitively coupled to the coil. The pitch and the length of the coil are selected to produce a corona discharge in response to an RF input signal at a predetermined frequency and voltage, through quarter wavelength resonation. Either the new resonant coil or other corona discharge devices can be used to remediate fluid-borne wastes by initiating and sustaining RF corona discharges within the fluid. The pulses used to initiate the corona discharge preferably have alternating positive and negative components, with high initial voltages on the positive components to initiate the discharge, followed by lower positive voltage levels to sustain the discharge. Unipolar pulses, preferably with progressively decreasing voltage levels, can also be used.

Abstract: An electrically heatable 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing harmful substances of an exhaust gas discharged from a semiconductor manufacturing process are provided. The apparatus includes a mechanism for: removing at least one of a water-soluble component, a hydrolyzable component and dust contained in the exhaust gas discharged from semiconductor manufacturing equipment by water scrubbing; heating the water-scrubbed exhaust gas to thermally decompose a thermally-decomposable component contained therein; and removing dust generated by the thermal decomposition from the thermally-decomposed exhaust gas by water scrubbing to render the thermally decomposed exhaust gas into a clean exhaust gas.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater including a honeycomb structure, two electrodes and a plurality of slits extending through the honeycomb structure. The slits are provided to elongate a current flow path through the honeycomb structure and to define a plurality of first regions of partition walls and at least one second region of partition walls. The first regions are locally quickly heated with respect to at least one second region upon electrification of the honeycomb structure, and the first regions are spaced apart from each other. In addition, the first regions in total extend over an area 5 to 50% of a total cross-sectional area of the honeycomb structure. Alternatively, the honeycomb structure may include at least one first region and a plurality of second regions, the second regions being spaced apart by the at least one first region.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater including a honeycomb structure which is made of a conductive material and which has a number of passages substantially parallel to a gas flow direction partitioned by partition walls and which has respective providing a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and at least two electrodes for electrification provided on the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb heater is characterized in that besides the passages, orifices which have a larger hydraulic diameter than the passages and which narrow a current flow path are formed at predetermined positions of the honeycomb structure to adjust resistance, whereby a specific region of the honeycomb heater is locally heated more quickly as compared with other regions at the time of the electrification.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body, in particular a carrier body for a catalytic converter, includes wound, stacked or otherwise layered sheet-metal layers along which a fluid can flow in a primary flow direction, with at least some of the layers being structured. At least one layer has openings for lengthening and/or narrowing an electrically conductive path therein. The structuring of the layers and the formation and disposition of the openings cause adjacent layers to touch substantially only at locations without the openings in the at least one layer. A sheet-metal layer has raised locations and a periodic and in particular approximately undulating or trapezoidal structure with rising and falling regions and a periodicity defining a period.

Abstract: A converter having electrically heatable strips connected in an electrical circuit, and intertwined with non-electricvally heated thin metal strips, having an electrical connection, or anchor, from the electrically heatable thin metal strips to the non-electrically heated thin metal strips, whereby the potential difference between the electrically heatable strips non-electrically heatable thin metal strips is reduced.

Abstract: A reactor that can be attached to the exhaust manifold of a diesel or gasoline engine, or other internal combustion engines such as a jet engine or a gas turbine to oxidize and burn carbon soot particles, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons, and to dissociate nitrogen and sulfur oxides. The reactor has a reaction zone that contains porous heat-retaining foam cells and that is bounded by a porous heat-retaining zone, which in turn is surrounded by ceramic insulation materials to minimize energy losses. Engine exhaust at elevated temperatures and containing some oxygen (air) enters the reaction chamber. By means of impinging heat transfer, thermal radiation enhancement, energy trapping and combustion of engine emissions, temperatures sufficient to oxidize carbon soot particles, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons are attained. Harmless product of the oxidation reactions, H.sub.2 O and CO.sub.2 are released from the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention aims to produce a metallic carrier which enables a catalyst to be activated in a short time. In mutually joining an insulated heat resisting alloy and a heat resisting alloy having an insulating film, particularly composed mainly of alumina, a joining material of a laminate, formed by laminating a strongly reducing metal, which can thermodynamically reduce alumina, and a brazing material to each other, is disposed so that the strongly reducing metal comes into contact with the insulated heat resisting alloy, and the resultant laminate is heated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to carry out a brazing treatment. This enables only portions in the honeycomb structure, where electrically conductive paths are to be formed, can be joined, and, at the same time, heat resisting alloys having a surface covered with an insulating oxide film can be firmly joined with the resultant joint having an electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A thermoelectric reactor for the chemical destruction of heavy-molecule volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds, or hydrogen sulfide contained in a gaseous feed. The reactor contains a hollow core containing energy sources. This reactor core surrounded by several ceramic walls and insulating zones. Uniform, high temperatures, up to at least 1900.degree. C., are obtained in the reactor core not only from direct radiant heat from the energy sources, but also from energy reflected and emitted from the surrounding zones. Reaction rates are enhanced by non-equilibrium conditions caused by electromagnetic threes derived from the energy sources. Further chemical destruction is accomplished in a porous energy retaining zone after passage through the reactor core. Ionizing gases and ionization seed material may be added to the gaseous feed material to increase electric conductivity and promote dissociation and ionization in the reactor core.

Abstract: A heater unit including a honeycomb heater, a metallic casing for holding the honeycomb heater, and a gas flow-controlling means for controlling flow of exhaust gas through the heater unit, such that about 2 to 20% of the total amount of exhaust gas flows outside the honeycomb heater, between the honeycomb heater and the metallic casing. The honeycomb heater may be attached inside the metallic casing via several appropriate devices including supporting, buffer and connecting devices.

Abstract: A metal honeycomb heating element is protectively mounted in an enclosure comprising a one-piece enclosure wall, the heater being supported between a circumferential support member and a circumferential compression ring attached to the enclosure wall. A diametrically balanced compressive force is maintained on the edges of the heating element by the compression ring and support, this force operating to significantly extend the life of the heater element under hot vibration. Heater slot separators and electrode feedthrough structures for extending the life of the heater element are also provided.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier uses a honeycomb of an electrically non-conductive material, formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending throughholes through which an exhaust gas is adapted to flow. A conductive layer is formed with an electrically conductive material on inner surfaces of parts of the honeycomb, including at least a portion of each end surface of the honeycomb and a selected center portion of the honeycomb longitudinally extending between the end surfaces where the flow rate of the exhaust gas is higher than elsewhere inside the honeycomb.

Abstract: A catalytic converter with electric heating includes a housing and at least one honeycomb body being disposed in the housing for conducting a flow of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine through the honeycomb body in a given flow direction. The honeycomb body is electrically conductive at least in partial regions upon being heated by an electric current and it has a catalytically active coating at least in partial regions. The honeycomb body has at least two electrically heatable partial regions being disposed in succession as seen in the given flow direction. The electrically heatable partial regions have a different axial length and/or a different electrical resistance. The honeycomb body also has at least one other partial region being at least substantially blocked to the electric current and separating the electrically heatable partial regions from one another.

Abstract: A ceramic monolith coated with a catalytic material is heated by a flat strip cross-section steel wire with at least 15% Cr and at least 0.5% Al. The wire is placed in the monolith near its entry face.

Abstract: An electrically heating catalytic apparatus that quickly heats catalyst to an activation temperature even when the engine is started at a low temperature below the catalyst activation temperature. The apparatus employs an electrically conductive catalyst carrier that is electrically heated. The carrier is provided with local hot spots to be energized. Since the heat is locally generated, the heat capacity of the catalyst carrier is small to shorten a temperature increasing time.

Abstract: An electrically heating catalytic apparatus that quickly heats catalyst to an activation temperature even when the engine is started at a low temperature below the catalyst activation temperature. The apparatus employs an electrically conductive catalyst carrier that is electrically heated. The carrier is provided with local hot spots to be energized. Since the heat is locally generated, the heat capacity of the catalyst carrier is small to shorten a temperature increasing time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the selective control of the sulfur trioxide concentration in flue gases, to enhance the ash removal efficiency of electrostatic precipitators, which includes supporting a catalyst in the path of the flue gas, positioning temperature modifying means in communication with the catalyst, passing the flue gas by the catalyst and selectively varying the temperature of the catalyst, with the temperature modifying means, to vary the amount of catalytic conversion of SO.sub.2 in the flue gas to SO.sub.3.

Abstract: The electrically heated catalytic converter of the present invention includes a catalyst substrate, which is formed as a scroll-like cylindrical laminated assembly. The assembly is formed by laminating a thin corrugated and plain metal sheets and winding the metal sheets together around a center electrode. The outermost layer of the laminated assembly is connected to an outer electrode. The corrugated metal sheet has an insulating coating made of an alumina, and the plain metal sheet is uninsulated. Local conductive connections form between the thin metal sheets by soldering strips of zirconium solder foils between the layers of the thin metal sheets. Since zirconium has a larger reducing capability than aluminum, the alumina in the insulating coating is reduced by zirconium and precipitates at the local conductive connections. Therefore, the plain and corrugated metal sheet are electrically connected to each other at the local conductive connections.

Abstract: To prevent damage to an electrical resistance heater (13-16) which, when energized by electrical energy, for example in the order of 100 A at 12-24 V, a heat reservoir substance is included in the filter, positioned in heat transfer relation to the electrical resistance heater (13-16) and located, with respect to the flow direction of the gas stream through the filter, upstream of the filter material (15). Preferably, the electrical resistance heater is a perforated, tubular sheet-metal structure, axial ends of which are electrically connectable by connecting bolts (21, 25) to an electrical energy supply. The heat reservoir substance (14) is either wrapped at the outside over the tubular resistance heater (13-16), applied as a layer (14a) at the inside of the tubular resistance heater, or filled into the hollow interior thereof in form of a wire wool (14b).

Abstract: There is provided a novel terminal bus and retainer for a multicellular converter, particularly a catalytic converter, which converter is characterized by an electrically heatable portion and a light-off portion. The electrically heatable portion includes flat thin metal strips as heater bands and flat thin metal bands not electrically heatable. A terminal bus and retainer is adapted to be connected to a voltage source and to the ends of the heater bands. A portion of the terminal bus and retainer may be used as a connector bus. The terminal bus and retainer also retains the thin metal foil elements in tightly spirally wound condition. These devices are especially useful in catalytic converters for automotive vehicles.

Abstract: Method of forming a catalytic bonding layer by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto carrier structures including internal combustion engine exhaust system and catalytic converter components, in order to bond a catalyst layer thereto, thereby providing a structure wherein additionally the bonding layer can be energized to promote catalytic conversion-activating preheating of the catalyst. In an electromagnetic induction catalytic preheating system, a ceramic lattice or a metallic network can form the base structure of the catalytic converter, wherein at least the latter is encompassed by an electrical/thermal insulating layer; around either induction coiling is wrapped and secured by a thermally insulating material. Upon engine start, current is electromagnetically induced in the catalytic bonding layer or the metallic network through the induction coiling.

Abstract: A device for the purification of an exhaust gas containing at least one contaminant removable through heterogeneous catalysis and flowing through a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, comprises at least one disk structure positionable within the chamber and defining a central cavity alignable with the inlet of the chamber. The disk structure includes a non-metallic, gas-permeable and flexible carrier element comprising a band woven of glass fiber yarn. The yarn is formed of individual fibers coated with a layer of pulverized zeolitic material defining a molecular sieve and having a catalytic material, selected to act adsorptively upon the at least one contaminant, dispersed therein.

Abstract: An exhaust gas catalytic converter, particularly for an internal combustion engine, includes a flow channel for carrying exhaust gas. A carrier body is disposed in the flow channel and has a structure through which exhaust gas can flow. The carrier body is formed of sheet-metal layers. At least some of the sheet-metal layers are at least partially structured. A catalytic coating is disposed in the carrier body. At least one separate heating element in addition to the structure, is adapted to the shape of one of the at least partially structured sheet-metal layers, is electrically insulated from the structure and is in close thermal contact with at least one of the coating and the sheet-metal layers, for electrically heating the carrier body externally. A method for producing an exhaust gas catalytic converter includes placing spaced-apart heating elements adapted to a shape of a corrosion-proof structured sheet-metal layer into the structured sheet-metal layer.

Abstract: An electrical heating type catalytic device having a metallic catalyst carrier constituted by layering metallic foils, surfaces of the metallic foils being coated by an insulation film, adjoining metallic foils being joined conductively in only some regions of the metallic catalyst carrier.

Abstract: In the improved apparatus for treating flue gases by irradiation with electron beams, ammonia is added at a position in the direction of the flue gas stream that is upstream of the center of electron beams applied within the reactor and which is not more than 2.5 times the range of electron beams, preferably not more than 2.0 times, more preferably not more than 1.5 times, most preferably from 0.5 to 1.0 times said range. Ammonia is supplied in any one of the following ways; (1) only ammonia is supplied; (2) both ammonia and air are supplied; (3) both ammonia and water are supplied; and (4) ammonia, air and water are all supplied. From an operational viewpoint, ammonia is preferably supplied as diluted in the form of a mixture of heated ammonia and dry air (having preferably a dew point of -15.degree. C. or less at one atmosphere). It is also effective to supply ammonia through pipes that are arranged to contour the spherical divergence of electron beams.

Abstract: There is provided an improved core element for use in converters, especially catalytic converters. The core is characterized by two portions one of which portions is capable of being electrically heated, and the other of which is isolated from the first portion electrically and thermally and is called a light-off portion. A plurality of core elements is wrapped about a central rigid metallic pin and the assembly tightly spirally wound about the pin to form the core, part of which is electrically heatable and the other of which is not heated electrically. The core is formed from a plurality of composite core elements, each including a corrugated strip backed up with a flat two-member strip, one band of the two-member flat strip being of generally relatively narrow width, contiguous with the leading portion of the corrugated strip, and the other band contiguous with the trailing portion of the corrugated strip and usually being of relatively greater width.

Abstract: A heater is composed of (a) a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages, (b) an adsorbent composed mainly of zeolite or an adsorbent-catalyst composition comprising adsorbent and a catalyst component supported on the adsorbent, the adsorbent or adsorbent-catalyst composition being coated on the honeycomb structure, and (c) at least two electrodes fixed to the honeycomb structure for electrification of the honeycomb structure, wherein a gas is flowed through the passages in the honeycomb structure and is heated. A catalytic converter has at least one main monolith catalyst and the above heater provided upstream or downstream of the main monolith catalyst or between two main monolith catalysts.

Abstract: An adsorbent-catalyst for exhaust gas purification, has a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages divided by partition walls, substantially parallel to the flow direction of an exhaust gas to be purified, an adsorbent layer having a hydrocarbon adsorbability, supported on the honeycomb structure, and a catalyst layer having a three-way catalytic activity or an oxidizing ability, supported on the honeycomb structure, in which adsorbent-catalyst the adsorbent layer and the catalyst layer are separately supported on the honeycomb structure in all or part of the cross sections of the adsorbent-catalyst perpendicular to the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A lead construction for a fluid heater such as an electrically heated catalytic converter, is set forth including a mineral insulated cable having a central core connected to the heater element of the fluid heater, an outer metal sheath connected to an enclosing housing for the fluid heater, and electrical insulation between the central core and the outer sheath.

Abstract: A heating element for heating fluid flowing therethrough, including an electrically conductive honeycomb structure, electrodes electrically connected to the honeycomb structure for applying an electric current to the honeycomb structure, wherein the honeycomb structure has a front region which is adapted to heat more quickly than a back region of the honeycomb structure. To this end, the honeycomb structure may include at least one gap for obstructing electric current flow, the gap extending through the partition walls and terminating before reaching the front end of the honeycomb structure. Alternatively, the front region may be heated more quickly than the back region by providing at least one depression formed the back end of the honeycomb structure, such that the front region extends from a terminating end of the depression toward the front end of the honeycomb structure. A catalytic converter incorporating the heating element is also provided.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalytic converter having a scroll-like cylindrical laminated assembly in which belts of thin corrugated metal sheet and a thin plain metal sheet are laminated and wound around a center electrode, and the outermost layers are connected to an outer electrode. The corrugated metal sheet has an insulating coating made of a metal oxide, and the plain metal sheet has no insulating coatings. Conductive connections in which the corrugated metal sheet and the plain metal sheet are electrically connected to each other through the insulating coating of the corrugated metal sheet are made at predetermined positions in the layers of the laminated assembly and electric paths of desired shapes are formed by these conductive connections. The corrugated metal sheet and the plain metal sheet are connected in the areas around the respective conductive connections in such a manner that the metal sheets are isolated from each other.

Abstract: A metal honeycomb body includes at least two disks being mutually spaced apart and disposed one after the other relative to an axis. Each of the disks has a multiplicity of channels formed therein through which a fluid can flow along the axis. At least one support connects the disks to one another in the vicinity of the axis. The at least one support is tubular, bar-shaped or rod shaped.

Abstract: Flow-through fluid heaters useful, e.g., for the preheating of exhaust gas streams prior to catalytic treatment thereof, are made by bonding an electrically conductive metallic film or foil to at least one pre-sintered flexible ceramic foil substrate to provide a flexible, electrically conductive ceramic/metallic heating element, that element then being formed into a crimped sheet or base sheet for incorporation into a honeycomb structure which includes a plurality of open channels extending from one surface of the structure to another surface of the structure, formed by one or more contacting combinations of crimped sheet and base sheet. Catalytic coatings may be applied to the preheaters to provide a heater/converter with very rapid light-off characteristics.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure having a periphery and two ends, including a plurality of passages which are defined by partition walls and extend in an axial direction between the ends, wherein the partition walls are formed of a plurality of through holes for forming turbulent flow so that the fluid pass through the through holes from one of the passages to the adjacent passage, each of the through holes having an open area of at least 0.25 mm.sup.2, thereby a stream of the fluid passing through the honeycomb structure is efficiently mixed to increase its contact with a catalyst composition coated on a surface of the partition walls. The honeycomb structure may have a corrugated thin metal foil. Alternatively, the honeycomb structure may have a unitary structure formed by sintering an extruded body comprising a powder material.

Abstract: There is provided an improved converter body core element having a corrugated thin metal strip having, parallel to and close to a longitudinal marginal edge thereof, a recess dimensioned and configured to receive a heater band. In specific embodiments, the heater band is desirably lightly corrugated, i.e., having an amplitude of the corrugations which is from one tenth to one third the amplitude of the corrugations in the strip containing the recess, and the heater band is dimensioned and configured to fit into the recess.