Abstract: A metallic carrier composed of an end face portion formed in at least one of the axial end portions of a honeycomb body and an outer circumferential reinforcing layer in which foils in a range from the outermost layer to a quarter of the total number of layers are joined together in the axial intermediate portion. Thus, the metallic carrier is flexible in expansion and shrinkage. Further, the honeycomb body and a jacket are joined to each other mainly at the outer circumference of the outer circumferential reinforcing layer of the honeycomb body, to reduce thermal stress developed between the honeycomb body and jacket while maintaining the strength against a high temperature, to thereby prevent the metallic carrier from being ruptured.

Abstract: Device for cleaning exhaust gas of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The device comprises a first honeycomb body having a first diameter and a multiplicity of channels through which the exhaust gas can flow, a diffusor disposed downstream of the first honeycomb body as seen in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas, and a second honeycomb body disposed downstream of the diffusor. The second honeycomb body has a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A device and process for cleaning exhaust gases, in particular those from diesel engines, in which the exhaust gases are taken through a channel (36a) of a ceramic body (36) where an electric field is generated substantially transversely to the direction of flow, whereby the soot particles deposited on the walls of the channel (36a) are oxidized by free ions or ions adhering to oxygen.

Abstract: A ceramic exhaust trap regenerator provides a push-pull heat channeling method of transferring heat to and through the ceramic monolith with a flow of super-heated air. The application of heat is controlled by pulling the hot air through the monolith and away from the downstream side of the monolith through a vacuum hose. The regeneration process is started and completely controlled by an off-board mobile regeneration console with the engine off. The console is a wheeled cart with attachments that include an air heater, vacuum and positive pressure air pumps with attaching hoses, a temperature-actuated relay, a particulate filter, process timers, a heat exchanger, a cooling fan, and an electrical controller.

Abstract: A soot filter for diesel engines which is attached to the motor vehicle and has attached to the exhaust pipe a filter casing in which the filters are attached, which can be regenerated by hot gases, the filter casing attached to the motor vehicle having instead of an internal hot gas generator a connection to which an external mobile hot gas generator can be releasably connected, the engine exhaust gas supply being closed when the hot gas generator is connected.

Abstract: A flow-through particulate incineration system is coupled to an aerodynamically regenerated diesel engine exhaust gas particulate (soot, condensed polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and ash) trap. An incineration chamber is provided downstream of the particulates dislodged from the particulate trap during regeneration thereof by a pulse of compressed air. During regeneration, a valve between the particulate trap and the incineration chamber opens to allows the air and entrained particles to pass into the incineration chamber. A secondary filter is mounted within the incineration chamber to allow passage of the regeneration air therethrough, but prevent passage of the particulates, whereby the particulates are retained in the incineration chamber. A heater in the incineration chamber is periodically activated to burn the particulates collected in the trap. The oxidation products may be exhausted to ambient or may be returned to the engine intake in an exhaust gas recirculation system.

Abstract: A heating element for deodorization contains a metallic substrate, an enamel layer formed on the surface of the metallic substrate, a catalyst layer comprising at least an active alumina, a platinum group metal and a zeolite and formed on the enamel layer, and an electric resistor; the electric resistor being insulated from the environment; and the metallic substrate, the enamel layer, the catalyst layer and the electric resistor being arranged so that heat generated when electric power is applied to the electric resistor is conducted to the catalyst layer through the enamel layer. It can remove unpleasant odor and harmful gases.

Abstract: A device suitable for use as a catalytic converter for the purification of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine includes a ceramic monolith catalyst element resiliently mounted within a metallic housing. The metallic housing is in turn mounted within a hot gas chamber, such as an expansion chamber or muffler of a motorized vehicle. The ceramic monolith is wrapped with an insulating layer of inorganic ceramic fiber. At least one layer of intumescent material is disposed between the metallic housing and the inorganic fiber layer.

Abstract: A metal-made honeycomb carrier body is provided for carrying thereon an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst. The carrier body has been formed by superposing a planar metal band made of a metal sheet and a corrugated band made from another metal sheet one over the other in a contiguous relation and defines a number of network-patterned gas flow passages along a central axis thereof. At one of opposite axial ends of the honeycomb carrier body, one of the planar band and the corrugated band extends outwardly relative to the other band.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling automotive emissions by treating of the exhaust gases with treatment chemicals such as cyanuric acid, alcohol, pulverized limestone and/or tetradecylpyridinium bromide. The apparatus for treatment includes a reservoir affixed to an automobile such as in the trunk adapted to receive the fluid chemicals therein and the reservoir conduit for carrying the treatment chemicals to a fluid pump. The fluid pump device is adapted to transfer the fluid chemicals through a pump conduit to an injector housing device which includes an interior plenum chamber for receiving of the liquid chemicals therein. The injector housing includes an outlet with injector members positioned therein for dispersing of the fluid outwardly from the injector housing.

Abstract: A filter for washing and retaining exhaust gases in motor vehicles includes one or more chambers formed by either a single chamber with a plurality of sections formed by partitions therein or by separate chambers. Each chamber is provided with an exhaust gas inlet pipe for exhaust gases that have already been partially filtered in a previous chamber or section, or, in the case of a first chamber or section, exhaust gases coming directly from the engine of the motor vehicle. The gases are injected into a filtering liquid by diffusing pipes in the chambers. The exhaust gases are filtered by the filtering liquid as they flow through the liquid, passing afterwards to a subsequent chamber or section, or to the atmosphere through an exhaust outlet.

Abstract: Trap muffler apparatus with bypass around a trap core is disclosed. A preferred bypass arrangement utilizing a tubular shutter valve system is described. Forward or reverse regeneration are possible. Bypass to atmosphere without filtration is avoided with dual in-line traps or with the segmented trap and control of exhaust gases to traps not being regenerated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for cleaning exhaust particulate from a contaminated vehicle exhaust gas filter. Regeneration gases, oxygen content, and input heat are controlled in order to efficiently control the heat of regeneration.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning apparatus comprises one or more honeycomb core bodies for carrying an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst and fitted in a tubular metal casing. The metal casing has an outer wall which is axially expandable and contractible so as to follow the stress due to thermal strains acting on the honeycomb core bodies inside, thereby remarkably improving the apparatus in durability and vibration resistance.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) from a combustion exhaust gas of a boiler (1) which generates steam for driving high (3), intermediate (7), and low (8) pressure turbines. The process comprises the steps of removing CO.sub.2 in the combustion exhaust gas by absorption with a CO.sub.2 -absorbing liquid (19), liquefying the removed CO.sub.2 (28) by compression (42) and cooling (48), storing (52) the CO.sub.2, and regenerating the CO.sub.2 -absorbing liquid by a CO.sub.2 -absorbing liquid regeneration column (24) equipped with a reboiler (30). In the process, a part (40) of steam discharged from the high pressure turbine (3) is used to drive turbines (41, 43) for compressors (42, 44) that compress the CO.sub.2, and a refrigerant for cooling the CO.sub.2, and steam (45) discharged from the compressor turbines is supplied as a heating source to the reboiler (30) for the regeneration of the CO.sub.2 -absorbing liquid.

Abstract: An exhaust gas filter and/or a catalytic converter for the removal of harmful constituents from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is provided with a feed duct (6) to a filter or converter unit (1) made from metal materials, which form a unit penetrated by cavities, through which the exhaust gas is conveyed, from compression-moulded wires or fibers as a tangled mass, braiding, knitted fabric or woven cloth or in powder, granular or chip form, and with a delivery duct (7) for the exhaust gas purified by the filter or converter unit (1). The filter or converter unit (1) is also constructed as a heat exchanger unit for the exhaust gas to be cleaned.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly is composed of a circuitous filter route surrounded by a cooling water container for treating the exhaust out of an internal combustion engine, permitting the exhaust to be cooled down, the noise generated to be muffled, and solid particles containing in the exhaust to be removed. The exhaust pipe assembly may be cleaned by the cleaner for exhaust pipe disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,007.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a catalyst coated substrate with an inlet face oriented at an angle less than ninety degrees to the flow of exhaust gas entering the converter and fluid flow channels extending through the substrate from the inlet face to an outlet face and oriented at an angle less than ninety degrees to the inlet face. The mounting configuration within the canister allows for an increase in the frontal or inlet area without a corresponding increase in the converter cross section while the angled flow channels minimize the effect of the angled mounting of the substrate relative to the exhaust flow on the backpressure imposed on the exhaust system by the converter.

Abstract: An exhaust gas filter for internal combustion engines and having a honeycomb structure comprises a ceramic fiber and an inorganic binder. The ceramic fiber consists essentially of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2. The inorganic binder includes Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2 to bind the ceramic fiber. The inorganic binder is of a single glass phase or of a mixed phase of a glass phase and a crystal phase both having the same crystal structure in the temperature range of 20.degree. to 1200.degree. C. In the inorganic binder, a crystal such as quartz which produces abnormal expansion due to crystal phase transition is excluded, and occurrence of cracking is prevented.

Abstract: Poisoning-preventive and poisoning-resistant materials including: a poisoning-preventive layer-possessing support comprising 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; a poisoning-resistant catalyst for catalytic converter, which comprises a support, a noble metal catalytic component deposited on the support, and a poisoning-preventive layer formed on the side of the catalytic component exposed to an exhaust gas, the poisoning-preventive layer having a compound containing at least one element selected from the Group IIa elements of the periodic table; an exhaust gas converter device comprising a poisoning-preventive material provided on the exhaust gas inlet side, the poisoning-preventive material being either a ceramic material or the poisoning-preventive layer-possessing support as described above, the ceramic material comprising a compound containing at least one element selected fr

Abstract: A device for removing for particulates a diesel engine having a filter arranged in the flow of the exhaust gas, a heater for heating the filter, and an air pump or obtaining a flow of air for incineration of the particulates trapped by the filter when it is clogged. The amount of the air for the incineration of the filter is calculated in accordance with the amount of the particulates remaining in the filter at the peripheral zone thereof just after the preceding incineration cycle.

Abstract: An exhaust gas emissions control system lowers cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by using heat exchange structure to lower the temperature of exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas passing through a hydrocarbon adsorbent and using the extracted heat to heat a catalytic converter to its light-off temperature. In some embodiments, multi-component hydrocarbon adsorbers effective under different operating conditions further reduce cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas filter, for example a soot-particle filter, has a filter element which has inlet passages for the raw gas and outlet passages for the clean gas. In order as far as possible to prevent clogging of the filter over the running time caused by deposits on the filter walls, the raw-gas passages are configured with a larger cross-section than the clean-gas passages.

Abstract: An efficient, economical, compact diesel particulate filter element in the form of a spiral roll. The filtering element is useful as a filtering element in a diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: A ceramic filter candle arrangement employs a plurality of filter candles held within a tube plate by hold-down weights, each having a flow path, and includes a conduit communicating with the flow path and protruding into the candle filter. A passage is formed between the conduit and the internal wall of the filter candle and leads to at least one exhaust port. In operation, the passage and the exhaust port allow controlled pressure wave leakage during gas pulse cleaning of the filter candle.

Abstract: A muffler-filter apparatus having a particulate trap using filter tubes with high temperature filter materials, like fiber in the form of yarn, woven yarn mat, or a non-woven, random array fiber mat, or various foams. Filter tubes have various structural configurations and are regenerated by axial propagation using ring heaters or stub rod heaters, by heating the entire length of the filter tube with a rod heater or some other full-length heater configuration. For regeneration, exhaust flow is bypassed using various valve configurations including a poppet valve, a shutter valve, or a tubular valve. Filter tube filters may also be self-regenerated by the heat from the exhaust gases as controlled by a throttle valve or on inclusion of fuel additives which lower particulate ignition temperature.

Abstract: A soot filter for diesel engines having tubular filter cartridges through the wall of which the exhaust gas passes from without to within and the soot to be burnt off settles on the tube outer wall by a burner, at least some of the filter cartridges are provided with constrictions forming respective first and second areas inside the cartridges and providing the flow resistance through the first areas close to the burner greater than the one through the second areas formed further away from the burner.

Abstract: The catalytic converter has a casing with two one-piece shells. These each have a curved section and flanges projecting outward away therefrom. The flanges are welded to one another in pairs and make an angle with one another at least in a substantial part of their lengths and, for example, over their entire lengths. In the production of the catalytic converter, the shells can be produced simply and economically with the aid of a shaping process. After at least one dimensionally stable core and an elastically deformable intermediate layer surrounding this core have been arranged between the two shells, the latter are pressed against one another with a predetermined compressive force and are welded to one another. In the mass production of catalytic converter, their cores can be installed readily and without damage in the casing, even in the case of relatively large deviations from the intended ideal shapes and ideal dimensions.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control apparatus includes an absorbent provided in an upstream portion of an exhaust passage of an engine to absorb hydrocarbon in exhaust gas passed through the exhaust passage at a temperature lower than a predetermined first temperature, the hydrocarbon being desorbed from the absorbent at a temperature higher than the first temperature, a catalytic converter provided in a downstream portion of the exhaust passage to purify hydrocarbon in the exhaust gas when a catalyst of the catalytic converter is active, the catalyst of the catalytic converter being activated at a temperature higher than a predetermined second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature, and a heating part for heating the catalytic converter to a temperature higher than the second temperature when the engine is in a prescribed starting condition and the absorbent is at a temperature higher than the first temperature, so that the hydrocarbon desorbed from the absorbent in the exhaust p

Abstract: An adsorber comprising zeolite retained on structure of substantially inorganic fibers disposed in the exhaust gas stream of an engine. The invention has particular application to purification of exhaust gas streams of methanol fueled engines in combination with catalytic means for decomposing undesired organic matter from the exhaust gas stream. The adsorber adsorbs organic matter from the exhaust gas at relatively low exhaust gas temperatures at which the catalyst is of reduced effectiveness, and desorbs organic matter at elevated temperatures at which the catalyst is of heightened effectiveness.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater having integrally formed and/or integrally sintered electrodes constructed of a metallic honeycomb structure having a desired honeycomb configuration, and metallic electrodes which are integrally sintered with the honeycomb structure at predetermined positions thereon. The honeycomb heater having integrally sintered electrodes is manufactured by joining or contacting the electrode-like formed bodies to the formed honeycomb body, and then by sintering the formed honeycomb body with the electrode-like formed bodies attached or contacted thereto. The electrodes are made of the same material as that of the honeycomb body, or of a material having an electric resistance lower than that of the material comprising the honeycomb body.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an automobile diesel engine including a pair of electrodes disposed at a predetermined interval in an exhaust path of an automobile diesel engine, and a high voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the pair of electrodes whereby an electric field is generated in a space between the pair of electrodes so as to collect diesel particulates. Since the diesel particulates emitted from a diesel engine are charged heavily in negative, and since the exhaust gas purifying apparatus forms an electric field between the pair of electrodes, the diesel particulates are collected on one of the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: The catalytic converter includes a first flow passage for an automotive exhaust gas and a second flow passage disposed parallel to the first flow passage to bypass the exhaust gas therethrough. The first flow passage contains a honeycomb heater or a heater catalyst which comprises a honeycomb heater with a catalyst carried thereon. At the beginning of an operation of any engine, the exhaust gas whose temperature is low is caused to flow through the first flow passage. When the temperature of the exhaust gas exceeds a predetermined value, the flow passage is switched from the first passage to the second flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for modifying a gaseous mixture. The apparatus comprises a unitary body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a multiplicity of cells extending from inlet end to outlet end, the cells being separated from one another by porous walls, and filler material comprising electrically non-conducting active powder material, loaded into at least part of the volume of the cells, with some of the cells being unloaded and open, wherein a gaseous mixture enters the body at the inlet end through the open cells, and at least some of the gaseous mixture passes through the porous walls and is compositionally modified by the active material, and thereafter the resultant modified mixture passes through the open cells and exits the body at the outlet end. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with other apparatuses which are catalyzed to form a gas modifying system. The apparatus and system are especially suited for conversion of hydrocarbons, NO.sub.

Abstract: An electrically conductive cellular or honeycomb structure wherein the structure is heated to light off exhaust gases and/or to burn off deposited carbon particulates and thus periodically regenerate the structure. Electrodes attached to the surface of the structure or body pass electrical currents through the body, the currents causing temperature increase by resistance heating. The electrodes are radially or angularly spaced around the outer surface of the structure, near its input end face to thereby achieve a uniform temperature distribution at the input end face for quick light-off and/or for more complete combustion of the carbon particulates. This temperature distribution can also be made more uniform by the distribution of plugs of varying thickness and/or resistivity in selected areas of the input end face of the structure. The structure can be of the porous wall type wherein alternate passageways are plugged at the front and rear faces. The structure may be also formed of an aluminum iron alloy.

Abstract: A simple, low cost and reliable total particulate (soot, polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and ash) control system is disclosed that separates the particulate burning process from the body of a particulate filter and that needs very little compressed air to regenerate. The system can retrofit any existing diesel-powered equipment. The particulate control system includes a stationary ceramic monolith trap that is regenerated by one or more pulses of high-pressure and low-velocity air that move in the opposite direction of the engine exhaust flow through the trap. The particulate control system in a single trap embodiment conducts the engine exhaust to the atmosphere during regeneration periods, and in a dual trap embodiment, conducts the engine exhaust through two traps that are operated alternatively such that while one is filtering the exhaust the other is being regenerated, and vice versa.

Abstract: A catalytic air cleaner purifies air in enclosed spaces, such as in an aircraft or spacecraft. The air cleaner includes a pair of metal strips, wound into a double spiral. The strips have projections, affixed to the strips, to maintain the spacing between turns of the spiral. The spiral defines a core which accommodates an electrically heated catalytic converter. The strips themselves have no catalyst coating. A pair of ports at the periphery of the spiral allows air to enter and leave the spiral through inlet and outlet channels. Air entering the spiral through the inlet channel receives heat, by heat exchange, from air leaving the spiral, and then enters the core, where the electrically heated catalytic converter burns off various impurities. The air then leaves the spiral through the outlet channel, and becomes cooled by transferring its heat to the incoming air.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber filter media is provided which includes ceramic fiber material and an effective amount of fluid fiber material. Preferably the media also contains therein thermoconductive fiber component. Embodiments are illustrated wherein the ceramic fiber filter media is incorporated into a preferred filter element. Particulate trap systems corporating such filter elements therein are described.

Abstract: An efficient, economical, compact diesel particulate trap has a plurality of perforated hollow tubes, on each of which a heat-resistant yarn is helically cross-wound to provide a plurality of layers that function as a filtering element. The yarn, which preferably is a continuous-filament ceramic yarn, has a core from which filaments or fiber segments project outwardly and intermesh with fiber segments of laterally spaced cores to provide traps. The cores of yarn convolutions of at least one layer are laterally offset from the cores of convolutions of an adjacent layer to deflect into tortuous paths gases flowing generally radially through the filtering element.

Abstract: An efficient, economical, compact diesel particulate filter comprising a casing comprising a plurality of perforated, supported, rigid tubes wherein the perforated surface of each tube is covered by a filtering element comprising substantially helically cross-wound inorganic yarn, and wherein the yarn is cross-wound to provide four-sided openings.

Abstract: A high performance exhaust muffler which improves engine power and economy as well as providing a smoother engine performance. The muffler comprises an exhaust gas expansion section and a tubular baffle section closed or partially blocked at one end, its open end being attached within a smaller end of the exhaust gas expansion section to allow gas to pass directly into the exhaust gas expansion section and some to pass into the baffle section causing a weak back pressure to pulse back along the baffle tube.

Abstract: An engine exhaust filtering system (10) filters carbon particles from exhaust gases. A length of pipe (12) leads from the engine to promote the agglomeration of carbon particles in the exhaust gases. The exhaust gases then pass through a diffuser (36) having a series of chokes (38) to promote further turbulence and agglomeration of the carbon particles. A diffuser (36) directs particles for uniform distribution over a filter cartridge (22). After passing through the filter cartridge (22), the filtered exhaust gases are then expelled into the atmosphere. The filter cartridge (22) is removable and can be reused after the particles are removed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device for diesel engines has an exhaust gas soot filter (2) with a filter body (6) that is supported in a housing (4) and is regenerated by combustion of the soot when its temperature rises above the middle operating exhaust gas temperature range. A burner (26) is provided, having a combustion air fan (28) whose hot gas side is in flow communication with the exhaust gas soot filter (2), and the filter body (6) is supported in its housing in such a manner that at least a large part of its outer surface is heated externally during operation of the burner (26).

Abstract: There is provided an improved reinforced corrugated thin stainless steel strip in which either or both of the longitudinal edges are overfolded to increase the thickness and stiffness of the foil to better resist the tendency to failure in a severe hot-shake screening test. There is also provided a core and an electrically heatable catalytic converter containing the core for use in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An exhaust gas filter, such as a soot filter for a diesel engine, is provided with a filter body disposed in a housing. The exhaust gases flow through the filter body to be cleaned. The filter also has an inlet duct and an outlet duct. Between the inlet duct and the outlet duct, there is disposed one or several lateral lines for passing gases along the outside of the filter body. Both ends of the lateral lines are connected via apertures to the inlet duct and the outlet duct, respectively. The cross sections of the inlet duct, outlet duct and the lateral lines are selected so that in the unloaded condition of the filter body a return flow in the lateral lines is produced, while a bypass flow is produced when a preselected loading condition of the filter body is reached.

Abstract: A particle filter for the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines is described, which can be regenerated by burning free, and in which the filter cartridges (12) include a support tube (16) with a lining of filter material (20). The support tubes 16 are conical. The lining with filter material (20) is preferably carried out such that the filter cartridge (12) has a cylindrical shape, i.e., the filter material (20) lining is thicker on the inlet side than on the outlet side. However, lining with an equal thickness of filter material (20) over the entire length of the conical part of the filter cartridge (12) is also shown.

Abstract: A catalytic converter suitable for use in controlling automotive exhaust emissions including honeycomb heaters which are respectively disposed upstream and downstream of a main monolithic catalyst. Each honeycomb heater includes a honeycomb structure with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current to the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: There is provided an improved electrically conductive metal honeycomb body having a plurality of corrugated thin metal strips, which may be heater strips, extending in electrical parallel between otherwise electrically isolated connector plates. The corrugated thin metal strips each have a flat central section. A first group of strips is gathered at their flat middle portions and bent around one of a pair of rigid central posts, and a second group of strips is gathered and bent in the opposite direction about the other of posts. Insulation in the form of a flexible woven ceramic fiber strip isolate the first and second groups from each other and from the central posts. The connector plates define a segmented retainer shell about the body. A battery is connected to the connector plates whereby current flows from one connector plate through corrugated thin metal strips to the other connector plate and back to the battery.

Abstract: A device for controlling engine exhaust emission for use on an internal-combustion installation, in which a soot filter is arranged in an exhaust-gas system. The soot filter is made up of a flexible filter band that is traversed by the flow of exhaust gas in a first zone and which can be moved forward and renewed, continuously or intermittently, by a drive mechanism. The filter band is supported at least in the first zone by a flexible, moveable, endless conveyer belt that is permeable to gas and that absorbs tensile stresses. The filter band and the particles separated out of the exhaust gas by the filter band are burned together in a second zone.

Abstract: A resistance adjusting type heater including a honeycomb structure with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current to the honeycomb structure and with resistance adjusting elements provided between the electrodes. The resistance adjusting elements are formed such that a cross-section of a heating portion of the heater is substantially the same as that of a main monolithic catalyst. A catalytic converter includes the resistance adjusting heater which is disposed upstream of a main monolithic catalyst or between main monolithic catalysts. Also, the catalytic converter includes a resistance adjusting heater which is disposed downstream of a main monolithic catalyst. This resistance adjusting heater comprises a honeycomb structure with a catalyst carried thereon, with at least two electrodes provided thereon to supply a current to the honeycomb structure and with a resistance adjusting elements provided between the electrodes.