HYDRIDE-BASED COLD-START HEATER FOR AUTOMOTIVE CATALYST

A novel, closed-cycle, hydride-based cold-start heater for automotive catalysts is described. The device consists of coupled AB(5) and beta- Ti alloy beds and is designed to store a small part of the automotive exhaust heat for later release during cold-start. Without the signific ant use of electric power, it can heat the catalyst bed to operating t emperature in a few seconds thereby greatly reducing cold-start hydroc arbon emissions. A full-sized prototype was built and tested both on t he bench and in an FTP automobile. ULEV performance was achieved with a 2.2 L, 4-cylinder vehicle.