Abstract: A pollution control device that includes a housing, a pollution control element, and a sheet of mounting material. The mounting material is positioned around the monolith in a specific configuration to provide a tight fitting insulating wrap about the outer surface of the monolith. The sheet of mounting material is positioned such that at least a portion of the mating edges meet to form a seam that is non-perpendicular to the inlet and outlet of the monolith.

Abstract: A heater unit includes a metallic casing, and a honeycomb heater held in the casing via a metallic holding member, comprising a metallic honeycomb structure having a large number of parallel passages extending in the direction of the flow of an exhaust gas passing through the heater unit and at least one electrode for electrical heating of the honeycomb structure, attached to the honeycomb structure. In the heater unit, the holding member has such a structure as (1) is fitted to part of the outer surface of the honeycomb heater to allow the honeycomb heater to have a stable shape and (2) substantially blocks the flow path of exhaust gas between the honeycomb heater and the casing. This heater unit can withstand severe operating conditions such as experienced in automobiles; moreover, in this heater unit, the by-pass flow of exhaust gas is made substantially zero and the whole exhaust gas can pass through the honeycomb heater.

Abstract: A gas duct having a honeycomb structure includes: a metal case, a honeycomb structure accommodated in the metal case, a holding member placed between the outer surface of the honeycomb structure and the inner surface of the metal case, and a cone fitted to the inner surface of the metal case at one or both openings of the metal case, wherein the circumference of one or both end faces of the honeycomb structure is allowed to abut on the cone. The gas duct having a honeycomb structure can effectively utilize the whole volume of the honeycomb structure, is low in pressure loss, and inexpensive.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is manufactured by wrapping a monolith core in an intumescent mat, surrounding the core and mat with a pre-wound metal jacket and compressing the jacket using tension bands. During compression the housing jacket is knocked at a frequency between 20 and 80 Hz to cause setting of the intumescent mat between the core and the jacket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting article having reduced or relieved surface tension for pollution control devices which utilize a monolith structure within a metal housing. The mounting article comprises a sheet material having major top and bottom surfaces, a thickness, a length and a width, said sheet material having at least one score-line in a surface of said sheet material. The present invention also provides a pollution control device comprising a housing, a pollution control element disposed within the housing, and a mounting article of the invention disposed between the pollution control element and the housing.

Abstract: A pollution control device has a metal housing, a solid pollution control device disposed within the metal housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the pollution control element and the housing for positioning the pollution control element and for absorbing mechanical and thermal shock. The mounting mat includes a layer of intumescent material having at least one insert formed of a resilient, flexible, fibrous non-intumescent material. The insert is positioned along at least a portion of at least one lateral edge of the mounting mat to prevent erosion of the intumescent material and to provide a seal between the pollution control element and the housing.

Abstract: In order to properly press-fit or thrust a cylindrical coiled body into a cylindrical case, a fitting device is provided. The fitting device comprises a guide member formed with a conical bore of which cross section gradually reduces with increase of a distance from a top of the bore toward a bottom of the same. The cross section of the bottom of the bore is slightly smaller than that of the coiled body. The guide member is coaxially put on the cylindrical case. The fitting device further comprises a pressing member which, when actuated, presses down the cylindrical coiled body raised in the bore thereby to thrust the raised coiled body into the cylindrical case through the bottom of the bore. The pressing member includes a center base plate, two side plates positioned on both sides of the center base plate, a guide structure by which the side plates are radially movable in opposite directions with respect to the center base plate, and biasing members for biasing the side plates radially outward.

Abstract: A multilayer intumescent mat or sheet is useful for mounting a pollution control device or as a firestop. In one aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention comprises a non-moldable flexible non-intumescent layer and a non-moldable flexible intumescent layer comprising an intumescent material wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. The mat desirably includes a significant proportion of inorganic fiber containing shot, and small proportions of shot-free inorganic fiber and intumescent material. In another aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention comprises a first non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a first intumescent material and a second non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a second intumescent material, the first and second intumescent materials being different, wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means.

Abstract: A catalytic converter (110) comprises a converter shell (112), at least one tapered end piece (114) with a flange (116) and thermal shield (122). Said thermal shield (122) extends in an axial direction from said converter shell (122) and said thermal shield (122) surrounds said end piece (114) and said flange (116) on at least a part of the periphery of said converter (110).

Abstract: A silencer, for silencing and purification of exhaust gases, comprises an air-tight casing (1) connected to an exhaust inlet pipe (2) and to an exhaust outlet pipe (3) and contains at least two acoustic compartments (4i, 4ii) and one or more monolithic bodies (5) such as catalysers or particle filters through which exhaust gases flow in a flow direction in longitudinal channels or porosities, and one or more pipes or channels (6, 7), at least one pipe or channel penetrating one or more of the monolithic bodies (5) and guiding exhaust gases in a flow direction which is opposite to the flow direction in the channels or porosities of the monolithic body (5), and at least one of the pipes or channels (6, 7) connecting the at least two acoustic compartments (4i, 4ii). The general flow direction is preferably reversed substantially immediately upstream of a penetrated monolithic body (5) and substantially immediately downstream of either the same monolithic body (5) or of another penetrated monolithic body.

Abstract: A cell structure mounting container comprises a cell structure stored within a metal container. The cell structure is held within the metal container by providing a compressed resilience material having cushioning characteristics between the cell structure and the metal container in a compressed state. The compressed resilience material is a heat-resistant and low-expansion material containing ceramic fibers or ceramic fibers and heat-resistant metal fibers. Accordingly, compression characteristics which do not greatly fluctuate within the usage temperature range are obtained, the compression force acting on the periphery portion of the cell structure does not change greatly, and further, the compression force acts essentially uniformly on the periphery portion of the cell structure.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine includes a monolithic ceramic substrate having a peripheral surface encircled by a non-intumescent supporting mat material. A metal shell comprising a wider portion which is adjacent to and encloses the mat material and the substrate. The metal shell further comprises a narrower portion, preferably triangularly shaped, that overlaps and is attached to the outer surface of the wider metal shell portion. The wider and narrower metal shell portions combine to exert a compressive force on the wrapped substrate.

Abstract: A non-intumescent mat for providing a support structure for low temperature fragile structures in exhaust gas treatment devices, such as catalytic converters, diesel particulate traps, and like, comprising amorphous inorganic fibers. The fibers have Young's Modulus of less than about 20×106 psi and a geometric mean diameter less than about 5 &mgr;m. The mat is adapted to provide a holding force of at least 15 psi throughout an average mat temperature range from ambient temperature up to at least about 350° C. The amorphous inorganic fibers are preferably melt formed fibers comprising the fiberization product of a melt comprising alumina/silica.

Abstract: In a device for the catalytic conversion of exhaust gases in an exhaust system, in particular an exhaust system of a combustion engine, and a process for manufacturing the same, a catalyst carrier body is provided with a multiplicity of channels through which an exhaust gas can flow. At least a part of a free flow cross-section of the channels is closed in an exhaust gas flow direction by plastic deformation of channel walls in an outer annular region of the catalyst carrier body. The plastic deformation can be carried out with a tool. The tool has a disk rotatable about an axle. The disk is pressed with force against the catalyst carrier body and the jacket so that a plastic deformation of the jacket tube and the channel walls occurs. A circumferential bead directed towards the carrier body is produced. Other techniques for plastic deformation are possible.

Abstract: A honeycomb body conducting a fluid, especially a honeycomb body for an exhaust gas catalyst. The honeycomb body has an inflow area and an outflow area having channels to be cross flown by the fluid. The disclosed honeycomb body has near the inflow and the outflow area respectively a section with reduced heat conductivity, which has recesses formed in the wall of at least some channels of the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for purifying gases from a combustion engine using a catalyst comprising tourmaline is connected to a position more than 1 meter far from the exhaust manifold in an exhaust passage ranging from the exhaust manifold to the tail pipe. Coated on a monolithic carrier, the catalyst is prepared comprising tourmaline of 80˜90 wt. % of said catalyst, or said tourmaline with platinum, palladium or rhodium of 0.1˜0.5 grams per liter of said carrier. The catalyst comprising tourmaline, or said tourmaline with platinum, palladium or rhodium, or said tourmaline with the platinum, palladium and rhodium mixture is adjusted to amount to 10˜30 wt. % of said carrier.

Abstract: Catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter or trap having edge protectant which reduces erosion of a lateral edge of an intumescent mounting mat when exposed to hot, impinging gases.

Abstract: A non-intumescent mat for providing a support structure for low temperature fragile structures in exhaust gas treatment devices, such as catalytic converters, diesel particulate traps, and like, comprising amorphous inorganic fibers. The fibers have Young's Modulus of less than about 20×106 psi and a geometric mean diameter less than about 5 &mgr;m. The mat is adapted to provide a holding force of at least 15 psi throughout an average mat temperature range from ambient temperature up to at least about 350° C. The amorphous inorganic fibers are preferably melt formed fibers comprising the fiberization product of a melt comprising alumina/silica.

Abstract: A multilayer intumescent mat or sheet is useful for mounting a pollution control device or as a firestop. In one aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention comprises a non-moldable flexible non-intumescent layer and a non-moldable flexible intumescent layer comprising an intumescent material wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. The mat desirably includes a significant proportion of inorganic fiber containing shot, and small proportions of shot-free inorganic fiber and intumescent material. In another aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention comprises a first non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a first intumescent material and a second non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a second intumescent material, the first and second intumescent materials being different, wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means.

Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor for high temperature reactions having a reaction chamber and a monolithic catalyst structure disposed in the reaction chamber is disclosed wherein the catalyst structure has a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels formed by thin metal substrate walls which expand on exposure to the heat generated in high temperature reactions and reactor also includes a monolithic open cellular support structure disposed in the reaction chamber having a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed passageways formed by strips of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic material with the support structure being secured on its outer periphery to the wall of the reaction chamber to limit movement along the longitudinal axis, and being positioned at and abutting against the outlet end of the catalyst structure.

Abstract: A vent tube has an open end adapted to communicate with an oven chamber. A catalyst is retained in the vent tube by two sets of abutments. In one embodiment, the abutments are in the form of tabs. The tabs are lanced from the wall of the vent tube and slant inwardly. The set of tabs nearer to the open end of the vent tube will flex outwardly to permit the catalyst to be inserted through the open end of the vent tube into position between the two sets of tabs. A wall of the oven chamber has an extruded hole over which the open end of the vent tube is fitted. In another embodiment, the abutments are in the form of dimples formed in the wall of the vent tube.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has an inner canister that contains catalyst-coated substrates and an outer canister that encloses an annular, variable vacuum insulation chamber surrounding the inner canister. An annular tank containing phase-change material for heat storage and release is positioned in the variable vacuum insulation chamber a distance spaced part from the inner canister. A reversible hydrogen getter in the variable vacuum insulation chamber, preferably on a surface of the heat storage tank, releases hydrogen into the variable vacuum insulation chamber to conduct heat when the phase-change material is hot and absorbs the hydrogen to limit heat transfer to radiation when the phase-change material is cool. A porous zeolite trap in the inner canister absorbs and retains hydrocarbons from the exhaust gases when the catalyst-coated substrates and zeolite trap are cold and releases the hydrocarbons for reaction on the catalyst-coated substrate when the zeolite trap and catalyst-coated substrate get hot.

Abstract: A catalytic converter mat having a high density in areas which coincide with the ends of a substrate to be wrapped thereby and low density between the ends is disclosed which reduces cost of the mat component of a catalytic converter while retaining the benefits of proper mat pressure at the inlet and outlet ends of the substrate to retain and support the substrate without mat erosion and insulation of the substrate from the canister.

Abstract: A catalytic converter housing arrangement includes inlet and outlet funnels having large diameter ends mounted by connection bevels at the ends of a wound metal sheet forming a tubular central part of the catalytic converter and welded to the bevels. The funnels are produced from tubular blanks by expanding one end and drawing in the other end. This results in a significant reduction in weight compared with funnels which are deep-drawn from sheet-metal blanks.

Abstract: An electrically heatable catalytic converter for the cleaning of exhaust gas from combustion processes, preferably from internal combustion engines, comprising a shell and a carrier located inside the shell, preferably with a multitude of parallel channels through which the exhaust gas being cleaned can flow, where the carrier exhibits at least one layer that is catalytically active in relation to the exhaust gas, and where, furthermore, at least a portion of the surface of the carrier exhibits at least one electrically conductive resistance heating layer with electrical connection areas, which is insulated against the carrier by means of an insulation layer, and with at least one connection element that contacts the resistance heating layer in the electrical connection areas, is easily manufactured and reliable during operation if at least one connection element runs through the resistance heating layer and the insulation layer, as well as the carrier.

Abstract: A spin formed catalytic converter employs fewer and circumferentially shorter weld joints to reduce manufacturing cost of such catalytic converters.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a ceramic catalytic support, a cylindrical casing for holding the catalytic support therein and a holding member disposed between the catalytic support and the casing. The holding member has a plurality of net-like layers, each of which is parallel to a circumferential surface of the catalytic support and has fibers randomly tangled with each other. Because of this structure, when the catalytic converter is assembled, damage to the fibers and separation of the fibers of the holding member can be prevented. As a result, the holding member can securely and steadily hold the catalytic support within the casing.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, said catalytic converter including a housing having a cavity formed therein and having a gas inlet end and a gas outlet end, a pair of end members, each of said end members having an opening for allowing exhaust gases to pass therethrough, one of said end members sealingly connected to the gas inlet end of said housing and the other of said end members sealingly connected to the gas outlet end of said housing, a catalyst coated substrate located within said cavity and having a gas inlet face and a gas outlet face, a first mat of material which is expandable in an axially direction when heated positioned between said housing and a first portion of the catalyst coated substrate, and a second mat of material which is expandable in a radial direction surrounding a second portion of the catalyst coated substrate.

Abstract: An intumescent catalyst mounting mat is provided by cutting a single piece of mat into a desired profile and cutting a slit about 1/2 way through the thickness of the mat at a selected fold line. The mat is then easily folded upon itself to create a double thickness mat that is already secured to the next layer and may have any desired profile.

Abstract: For the production of a motor vehicle exhaust gas cleaning device, which comprises an essentially cylindrical housing (G), at least one exhaust gas cleaning element (1) mounted in it, with a mounting mat (2) in between, and two transition cones (4) joined with the housing at the ends, a sheet metal cut-out (7) is placed around the at least one exhaust gas cleaning element (1) as a mantle, to form the housing, braced to the built-in parts (1 2, 3) to provide a firm attachment, and, in this position, closed to form a sleeve, while the two transition cones (4) are positioned in such a way, as the mantle formed from the sheet metal cut-out (7) is braced and formed into a sleeve, that they project into the housing (G) with support regions (6) which face the housing in each instance, and act as stops to delimit, the bracing process.

Abstract: A radial flow adsorption vessel is disclosed together with a method for assembling such a vessel and a method for manufacturing containment screens having bidirectional flexibility for use in such a vessel. The radial flow adsorption vessel includes a substantially cylindrical shell having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of substantially cylindrical screens disposed concentrically inside the shell. Each screen has a different diameter and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell, and at least one of the screens is flexible in both the axial and radial directions. Preferably, the at least one screen flexible in both the axial and radial directions is an intermediate screen disposed between an outer screen and an inner screen.

Abstract: A catalytic converter structure is provided for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter structure includes a cylindrical catalyst substrate; a first cylindrical tube covering a first end of the substrate; a second cylindrical tube covering a second end of the substrate; a support mat surrounding a central portion of the substrate and portions of the first and second cylindrical tubes; and a cylindrical housing within which the substrate, first and second cylindrical tubes and the support mat are located. The structure requires few components, is easy to tool and easy to adapt to different engine implementations.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycombs used as catalyst supports for combustion engine exhaust pollution control are provided with insulating porous refractory thermal barrier coatings disposed on and bonded to at least a portion of the external skins of the honeycombs, reducing the outer barrier coating surface temperature to provide thermal protection for the resilient fiber support materials used to mount the supports in catalytic converter enclosures.

Abstract: A pollutant-reducing catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is of ceramic and operates at higher temperatures for increased efficiency. A ceramic foam is used as the substrate for the catalyst. The foam is an open-celled foam and the substrate is deposited on the walls of the cells. Thus, there is a maximum area of catalyst with a minimum amount of catalyst required. The catalytic converter can be placed in the engine compartment adjacent the engine for maximum efficiency without causing temperature problems within the engine compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer intumescent mat or sheet that is useful as a mounting for a pollution control device or as a firestop. In one aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention includes a non-moldable flexible non-intumescent layer and a non-moldable flexible intumescent layer including an intumescent material wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. In another aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention includes a first non-moldable intumescent layer including a first intumescent material and a second non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a second intumescent material, the first and second intumescent materials being different, wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. The invention also provides a pollution control device including a multilayer sheet of the invention disposed between a monolith and a housing.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine having a housing provided with an exhaust gas by-pass tube and a valve arrangement that causes the exhaust gas to selectively flow through a catalyst coated substrate to be treated thereby or through the tube so as to exist the converter in an untreated state and in which an actuator is in a sealed relationship with the housing so as to prevent exhaust gas leakage while providing for movement of the valve.

Abstract: An automobile exhaust gas ceramic catalytic element support device mounts the element in a metal housing and cushions the element from radial shock loads. The device is compressed knitted wire mesh and includes crimped corrugations formed into a cylinder. The cylinder end has a conduit containing a knitted compacted wire mesh rope formed by drawing knitted wire mesh through a die until the formed rope is compacted into a gas seal. The device at the rope end has a radially inwardly extending lip for engaging an end face of the element. The rope may include non-metallic fibers to enhance sealing action of the rope. The device is axially retained by an annular channel in the converter housing with the rope substantially gas sealing the interface region between the ceramic element and the housing.

Abstract: An end cone assembly for a catalytic converter includes a larger formed sheet metal outer cone and a smaller formed sheet metal inner cone forming a dual wall cone assembly. The cones have large ends and connecting conical walls which are configured like those of a prior art end cone and are formable by the same tooling. The cones have inner ends connected with the conical walls that are modified to connect with smaller diameter exhaust pipes and require modified tooling to make. The prior art cones have cylindrical small ends that are telescoped together and locked by dimples. The small end of the new inner cone varies from the conical configuration of its respective wall in, first, curving outward toward an axial direction, second, curving inward toward a radial direction and, third, curving outward to an essentially axial direction defining a generally cylindrical outer end.

Abstract: A monolith-holding element adapted to be used in an exhaust system of internal combustion engines, a process for producing the monolith-holding element, a catalytic converter and a process for producing the catalytic converter are disclosed, in which the specific monolith-holding element is produced by uniformly dispersing an organic binder in a compressed alumina fiber mat, exhibits a thickness-restoring property when the organic binder is thermally decomposed by the contact with a high-temperature exhaust gases, and supports a monolith by exerting a surface pressure on an outer peripheral surface of the monolith and an inner peripheral surface of the metal casing. The monolith-holding element has an excellent durability and gas-sealing properties and the catalytic converter can withstand severe vibration and impact for a long period of time.

Abstract: An exhaust treatment device for an internal combustion engine includes a generally cylindrical substrate and sealing system which are swaged in place within a one-piece housing. The one-piece housing includes segmented inlet and outlet gas shields and diffusers which are spun from a single piece of tubing which also contains the substrate. The spun inlet and outlet gas shields and diffusers have segmented configurations including multiple concave and convex sections produced by spin-forming of the housing. The exhaust treatment device is assembled without the need for welding or any other high temperature operation.

Abstract: A particulate trap for use with a diesel engine is high in particulate trapping capacity and regenerating capacity and low in pressure drop, and yet is compact and inexpensive. This trap has a filter element made up of a plurality of tapered filter members formed from a fabric of heat-resistant metal fibers. The filter members have different diameters from each other and are nested concentrically one inside the other so that the adjacent filter members are positioned inversely. Each filter member is connected at its large-diameter end to the small-diameter end of the immediately outer filter member to alternately close the exhaust inlet and outlet ends of the gaps between the adjacent filter members. The filter element thus formed is mounted in a metal case provided in an exhaust line and used as a particulate trap. With this arrangement, it is possible to increase the particulate trapping area of the filter and the exhaust inlet openings without increasing the size of the entire trap.

Abstract: Short channel metal catalysts are mounted on the face of conventional monolithic automotive catalysts to assure exhaust gas does not by-pass the short channel metal catalysts.

Abstract: A reforming reactor system for water vapor reforming of methanol in fuel-cell operated motor vehicles has a reactor unit with a catalyst-filled reaction space and a particle filter which is arranged in a reformate gas pipe downstream of the reactor unit. The catalyst material is carried in the reaction space by a sieve below which a metallic nonwoven for catching sieved-out fragments and dust particles of the catalyst fill is situated. The particle filter contains a spun steel wool netting and/or several filter steps serially connected behind one another. The particle filter may be arranged to be exchangeable without interrupting the operation of the system. Specifically, a particle filter which has a filter body which can be changed in a gas-tight manner transversely to the gas flow and/or a cyclone filter can be used which has a closing device for the purpose of an emptying of a particle collecting pot which does not interrupt the operation.

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: 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 converter including a cylindrical catalyst carrier having a catalyst carried therein, a retaining mat wound around an outer peripheral surface of the catalyst carrier, and a casing including a cylindrical carrier retaining portion for retaining the catalyst carrier with the retaining mat compressed. The cylindrical carrier retaining portion is an assembly which is constructed of diametrically split halves whose axially extending opposite-side edges are fitted over each other with fitted portions bonded to each other. The cylindrical carrier retaining portion has an oval cross-sectional shape with a longer diameter between both the fitted portions. Thus, the density of the retaining mat in the circumferential direction of the catalyst carrier after being compressed can be varied in an increased manner to compensate for the decreasing variation in urging force provided by the cylindrical carrier retaining portion.

Abstract: A method of quick purging beds of a regenerative fume incinerator which is practically applicable for use in 2, 3 and 4 bed incinerators. For a very short purge period near the end of an operating time cycle, the bed being switched from receiving impure gases to discharge of clean gas is purged of impure gases by being supplied with clean gas discharged by the incinerator. The quick purging takes less than 4% of the cycle time and thus inflow of impure gases is stopped for a very brief period when this quick purge method is used in a 2 bed incinerator. When using this quick purge method in a three or four bed regenerative fume incinerator there is always at least one bed receiving impure gases. This quick purge method improves the quality of the discharged clean gas without significant loss of thermal efficiency and without significant reduction in operating capacity.

Abstract: A pollution control device has a metal housing, a solid pollution control device disposed within the metal housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the pollution control element and the housing for positioning the pollution control element and for absorbing mechanical and thermal shock. The mounting mat includes a layer of intumescent material having at least one insert formed of a resilient, flexible, fibrous non-intumescent material. The insert is positioned along at least a portion of at least one lateral edge of the mounting mat to prevent erosion of the intumescent material and to provide a seal between the pollution control element and the housing.

Abstract: A pollutant-reducing catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is of ceramic and operates at higher temperatures for increased efficiency. A ceramic foam is used as the substrate for the catalyst. The foam is an open-celled foam and the substrate is deposited on the walls of the cells. Thus, there is a maximum area of catalyst with a minimum amount of catalyst required. The catalytic converter can be placed in the engine compartment adjacent the engine for maximum efficiency without causing temperature problems within the engine compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides an intumescent sheet material comprising 20 to 80 dry weight percent of at least one unexpanded intumescent material, 10 to 40 dry weight percent of at least one processed vermiculite selected from ground expanded vermiculite and delaminated vermiculite, greater than 0 to 5 dry weight percent of inorganic fibers having diameters greater than 5 microns, and greater than 0 to 10 dry weight percent of organic fibers; wherein said sheet material comprises substantially no ceramic fibers of less than 5 microns.