EP0077711B1 - Catalytic exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal-combustion engine - Google Patents

Catalytic exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal-combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0077711B1
EP0077711B1 EP82401844A EP82401844A EP0077711B1 EP 0077711 B1 EP0077711 B1 EP 0077711B1 EP 82401844 A EP82401844 A EP 82401844A EP 82401844 A EP82401844 A EP 82401844A EP 0077711 B1 EP0077711 B1 EP 0077711B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
catalyst
wall
silencer according
catalytic
internal
Prior art date
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Expired
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EP82401844A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0077711A1 (en
Inventor
Michel Prigent
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IFP Energies Nouvelles IFPEN
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IFP Energies Nouvelles IFPEN
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Priority to AT82401844T priority Critical patent/ATE19675T1/en
Publication of EP0077711A1 publication Critical patent/EP0077711A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/24—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by constructional aspects of converting apparatus
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/10—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust
    • F01N3/24—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by constructional aspects of converting apparatus
    • F01N3/28—Construction of catalytic reactors
    • F01N3/2839—Arrangements for mounting catalyst support in housing, e.g. with means for compensating thermal expansion or vibration
    • F01N3/2846—Arrangements for mounting catalyst support in housing, e.g. with means for compensating thermal expansion or vibration specially adapted for granular supports, e.g. pellets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2350/00—Arrangements for fitting catalyst support or particle filter element in the housing
    • F01N2350/08—Arrangements for fitting catalyst support or particle filter element in the housing with means for compressing granular material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a new exhaust pipe usable, in particular, for the catalytic purification of gases produced by an internal combustion engine.
  • Catalytic converters are, for example, described in French patents 2,373,677 and 1,299,792 as well as in German patent 2,310,843.
  • the advantage of this type of pot is to keep the catalyst in compression and to avoid the appearance of a vacuum in the catalyst bed.
  • a catalytic converter such as that illustrated in FIG. 6 of this patent comprising a sliding wall in the direction of elongation of the pot and means for compressing the catalyst acting on said sliding wall. by tending to reduce the volume of said annular space intended to contain the catalyst.
  • At least one of the perforated side walls delimiting the catalytic space is movable by axial sliding inside the pot and a spring placed outside the pot (which avoids high temperatures) presses on the mobile part via a core of refractory ceramic material, such as sintered alumina, sintered titanium oxide, or sintered zirconium oxide ... etc ...
  • the reduction in volume of catalyst can reach 10 to 15% without creating a vacuum.
  • This type of pot is particularly well suited for the use of particulate type lead-resistant catalysts which must operate at high temperature.
  • the catalytic converter is, in fact, generally placed very close to the engine at the outlet of the exhaust manifold. To give satisfaction, the catalytic converter must then be compact and ensure good maintenance of the catalyst which is subjected to very strong vibrations.
  • the illustrated muffler comprises an elongated tubular casing or casing 1, a first end of which is provided with an orifice 2 coaxial with the tubular body by which the gases are introduced through an intake pipe 4 fixed to the body 1.
  • a the other end of the body 1 is also provided with an orifice 3 spaced from the axis of the body 1, through which the gases leave the exhaust pipe by passing through an exhaust pipe 5 secured to the body 1.
  • the fixing of the pipes 4 and 5 on the body 1 can be produced by any suitable means and in particular by welding.
  • the ends of the pipes 4 and 5 outside the body 1 allow the exhaust pipe to be connected in series in a flow circuit for a gas to be treated.
  • the exhaust pipe can be connected to the exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine.
  • the latter communicates directly with the orifice 2 and has a shape such that its section by a plane perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the gases into the exhaust pipe, decreases progressively as one moves away from the orifice of admission 2.
  • the grid 6 constituted by an expanded metal plate, delimits a chamber 7 having a frustoconical shape.
  • This grid is fixed, for example by a weld, to the end of the pipe 4 corresponding to the orifice 2.
  • the device comprises a second grid, or external grid 8, formed of expanded metal.
  • This second grid 8, with an area greater than that of the grid 6, has the shape of the lateral surface of a truncated cone, the section of which by a plane perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the gases into the exhaust pipe, decreases as one moves away from orifice 2.
  • the truncated cone determined by the external grid 8 has substantially the same height as that defined by the internal grid 6.
  • the grid 8 is placed around the grid 6 so that the generatrices of the surfaces of the grids are substantially parallel. In other words, the grids 6 and 8 determine between them an annular space 9 of substantially constant thickness.
  • This annular space is closed at one of its ends by a transverse cup 11, not perforated, which surrounds the internal grid 6 at the level of the orifice 2 and which is fixed to the end of the internal grid 6 corresponding to the section with the largest diameter of this grid.
  • a transverse cup 12 whose bottom 12a is closed, seals at its other end the annular space 9 by being fixed to the external grid 8 at its section of smaller diameter.
  • the latter is fixed to a ring 8a slidably mounted on a corresponding ring 11a which connects the cup 11 to the casing or body 1.
  • the bottom of the cup 12 fixed to the end of the external grid 8 corresponding to the section of smaller diameter of this grid is slidably mounted on a ring 6a fixed to the end of the internal grid 6 corresponding to the section of more small diameter of this grid.
  • This bottom 12a also slides in a sleeve 1a passing through the envelope or body 1.
  • the part of this sleeve 1a situated outside the pot contains compression means such as a spring 13 which is retained by a tight plug 14 and exerts pressure against the bottom 12a of the cup 12, by means of a cylindrical core 15 of a thermal insulating material, such as a ceramic such as sintered alumina, sintered titanium oxide, or sintered zirconium oxide.
  • a plug 17, fixed on the transverse plate 11, makes it possible to introduce into the annular space 9, the catalyst product in the form of grains or balls of dimensions greater than that of the perforations of the grids 6 and 8.
  • the grid 8 defines with the internal wall of the body 1 a collecting space or exhaust chamber 10 preferably having a section which, measured perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the gases into the exhaust, increases when away from the inlet 2.
  • means for thermal insulation of the plate 11 are provided. These means are, for example, constituted by a sealed annular chamber 16 formed by an extension of the body 1, upstream of the plate 11 if one considers the direction of flow of the gases in the exhaust pipe.
  • the gases (the flow of which is indicated by arrows in the drawing) are introduced via the pipe 4 into the exhaust pipe, and more particularly into the intake chamber 7. They pass through then the annular space 9 where they are in contact with the catalyst. Finally, they reach the collecting zone 10 and are evacuated via the pipe 5.
  • the spring 13 bearing on the plug 14 and the bottom 12a of the cup 12, by means of the ceramic core 15, pushes the grid 8 which slides again the axis of the grid 6 upstream of the pot if we consider the direction of gas flow.
  • the volume of the chamber 9 will preferably be such that the space velocity of the gas flow, defined as the ratio of the hourly flow rate of the gases entering the exhaust pipe to the volume of the catalyst contained in this chamber 9, ie less than 400,000 (hour) " 1 , and preferably less than 300,000 (hour) - ', which corresponds, for a motor vehicle, to a volume at least equal to 0.5 Liter per liter of engine displacement.
  • the space velocity of the gas flow defined as the ratio of the hourly flow rate of the gases entering the exhaust pipe to the volume of the catalyst contained in this chamber 9, ie less than 400,000 (hour) " 1 , and preferably less than 300,000 (hour) - ', which corresponds, for a motor vehicle, to a volume at least equal to 0.5 Liter per liter of engine displacement.
  • the cross section of the exhaust pipe will not necessarily be circular, but may also be polygonal, elliptical or oval, so that the exhaust pipe is more easily accommodated on motor vehicles. r.
  • the sealed chamber 16 is provided for thermally insulating the transverse plate 11, so that in the vicinity of this plate the temperature of the catalytic bed is sufficient for the gas oxidation reactions to start. It can be replaced anywhere other device, such as a covering layer of the outer face of this plate in a thermal insulation material.
  • the generators of the grids 6 and 8 may not be parallel to each other and the external grid may be cylindrical instead of having the frustoconical shape shown, which however has the advantage of reducing the dimensions of the tubular body 1.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas After Treatment (AREA)
  • Catalysts (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas Treatment By Means Of Catalyst (AREA)

Abstract

An elongate catalytic muffler of the radial flow type for purifying the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, comprises a tubular casing having a gas inlet at one end and a gas outlet at the other end. Two co-axial substantially parallel frustra-conical grids of decreasing cross-section from the inlet end to the outlet end of the muffler define, with cup-like end walls, a catalyst chamber compression means is provided for axially displacing one of said end walls towards the other, so as to compress the catalyst mass in said chamber, and with said compression means being protected by tight separating means from the action of the exhaust gases treated in the muffler.

Description

La présente invention concerne un nouveau pot d'échappement utilisable, en particulier, pour l'épuration catalytique des gaz produits par un moteur à combustion interne.The present invention relates to a new exhaust pipe usable, in particular, for the catalytic purification of gases produced by an internal combustion engine.

Il est connu d'effectuer l'élimination des produits polluants, tels que hydrocarbures imbrûlés, oxydes d'azote et de carbone, etc... contenus dans les gaz d'échappement d'un moteur à combustion interne, en mettant ces gaz en contact avec un catalyseur utilisé sous forme particulaire (billes ou extrudés par exemple) qui favorise les réactions de réduction ou d'oxydation des produits polluants, à des températures inférieures à celles nécessaires pour réaliser, en l'absence de catalyseur, l'élimination complète de ces produits polluants.It is known to carry out the elimination of polluting products, such as unburnt hydrocarbons, nitrogen and carbon oxides, etc. contained in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, by putting these gases in contact with a catalyst used in particulate form (beads or extrusions for example) which promotes reduction or oxidation reactions of pollutants, at temperatures lower than those necessary to achieve, in the absence of catalyst, complete elimination of these polluting products.

Des pots catalytiques sont, par exemple, décrits dans les brevets français 2 373 677 et 1 299 792 ainsi que dans le brevet allemand 2310843.Catalytic converters are, for example, described in French patents 2,373,677 and 1,299,792 as well as in German patent 2,310,843.

L'un des problèmes rencontrés dans ces pots d'échappement, est celui de l'apparition de vides dans le lit catalytique au bout d'un temps plus ou moins long.One of the problems encountered in these exhaust pipes is that of the appearance of voids in the catalytic bed after a more or less long time.

On ne peut, en effet, éviter que le volume du catalyseur qu'on met dans un pot ne décroisse en fonction du temps : les causes principales sont le défaut de tassement du catalyseur, le retrait thermique des particules qui le constituent, la casse de certains grains plus fragiles que d'autres, etc... Dans les pots catalytiques à lit plat, à circulation des gaz descendante (développés par General Motors aux U.S.A. par exemple) cette diminution de volume n'est pas très grave, car le catalyseur est appuyé par son propre poids et la vitesse des gaz sur la grille inférieure du pot catalytique.We cannot, in fact, prevent the volume of the catalyst that we put in a pot from decreasing as a function of time: the main causes are the failure of the catalyst to settle, the thermal shrinkage of the particles which constitute it, the breakage of some grains more fragile than others, etc ... In flat bed catalytic converters, with descending gas circulation (developed by General Motors in the USA for example) this reduction in volume is not very serious, because the catalyst is supported by its own weight and the speed of the gases on the lower grid of the catalytic converter.

Cependant, toutes les fois où la place n'est pas suffisante pour loger un pot catalytique à lit plat, on est conduit à utiliser des pots cylindriques dits « à circulation radiale •, tels que par exemple celui décrit dans le brevet français n° 74 06395.However, whenever the space is not sufficient to accommodate a flat bed catalytic converter, we are led to use so-called “radial circulation” cylindrical pots, such as for example that described in French patent n ° 74 06395.

Dans ces pots à circulation radiale, le vide se crée à la partie supérieure du pot où le passage des gaz est ascendant. Les billes ou grains de catalyseur sont alors soulevés par le passage du gaz et leur mouvement provoque une usure de ces particules qui peut être très rapide.In these pots with radial circulation, a vacuum is created at the top of the pot where the passage of gases is ascending. The catalyst beads or grains are then lifted by the passage of the gas and their movement causes wear of these particles which can be very rapid.

On connaît déjà par le brevet US-3 594131 un pot catalytique pour l'épuration des gaz d'échappement d'un moteur à combustion interne, comportant un corps allongé muni d'une chambre d'admission et d'une chambre d'échappement des gaz, munies d'orifices situés sensiblement aux deux extrémités du pot respectivement, un espace annulaire allongé destiné à contenir un catalyseur d'épuration de type particulaire agencé à l'intérieur dudit corps allongé et séparant lesdites chambres d'admission et d'échappement des gaz, cet espace étant délimité par des parois qui comprennent deux parois latérales munies de perforations, l'une au moins des parois délimitant ledit espace étant montée coulissante dans la direction d'allongement du pot et des moyens de compression du. catalyseur agissant sur ladite paroi coulissante en tendant à réduire le volume dudit espace destiné à contenir le catalyseur. r.Already known from US Pat. No. 3,594,131 a catalytic converter for purifying the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising an elongated body provided with an intake chamber and an exhaust chamber gases, provided with orifices situated substantially at the two ends of the pot respectively, an elongated annular space intended to contain a purification catalyst of the particulate type arranged inside said elongated body and separating said intake and exhaust chambers gases, this space being delimited by walls which comprise two lateral walls provided with perforations, at least one of the walls delimiting said space being mounted to slide in the direction of elongation of the pot and means of compression of the. catalyst acting on said sliding wall, tending to reduce the volume of said space intended to contain the catalyst. r.

L'avantage de ce type de pot est de maintenir le catalyseur en compression et d'éviter l'apparition d'un vide dans le lit de catalyseur.The advantage of this type of pot is to keep the catalyst in compression and to avoid the appearance of a vacuum in the catalyst bed.

Cependant, dans un dispositif du type décrit dans le brevet US-3594131 la compression des particules de catalyseur résulte soit de l'action de la gravité agissant sur une paroi horizontale (mode de réalisation illustré par la figure 1 de ce brevet antérieur), soit de l'action d'un moyen élastique tel qu'un ressort, mais ce ressort est alors au contact des gaz d'échappement chauds, ce qui risque de conduire à une détérioration des caractéristiques mécaniques du ressort (mode de réalisation illustré par la figure 2 du brevet US-3594131).However, in a device of the type described in US Pat. No. 3,594,131, the compression of the catalyst particles results either from the action of gravity acting on a horizontal wall (embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1 of this prior patent), or the action of an elastic means such as a spring, but this spring is then in contact with the hot exhaust gases, which risks leading to a deterioration of the mechanical characteristics of the spring (embodiment illustrated by the figure 2 of patent US-3594131).

On connaît également par le brevet FR-A-2198 536 un pot catalytique tel que celui illustré par la figure 6 de ce brevet comportant une paroi coulissante dans la direction d'allongement du pot et des moyens de compression du catalyseur agissant sur ladite paroi coulissante en tendant à réduire le volume dudit espace annulaire destiné à contenir le catalyseur.Also known from patent FR-A-2198 536 is a catalytic converter such as that illustrated in FIG. 6 of this patent comprising a sliding wall in the direction of elongation of the pot and means for compressing the catalyst acting on said sliding wall. by tending to reduce the volume of said annular space intended to contain the catalyst.

Cependant, il est fort probable qu'un pot d'échappement réalisé selon ce document antérieur se révèle relativement encombrant ce qui est un grave inconvénient.However, it is very likely that an exhaust pipe produced according to this prior document proves to be relatively bulky, which is a serious drawback.

Cet inconvénient est supprimé avec le dispositif selon l'invention dans lequel les moyens de compression du catalyseur sont séparés de la chambre d'admission des gaz par une paroi étanche, ce qui protège lesdits moyens de compression et facilite leur remplacement.This drawback is eliminated with the device according to the invention in which the catalyst compression means are separated from the gas inlet chamber by a sealed wall, which protects said compression means and facilitates their replacement.

Selon un mode préféré de réalisation d'un pot catalytique selon l'invention, l'une au moins des parois latérales perforées délimitant l'espace catalytique est mobile par coulissement axial à l'intérieur du pot et un ressort placé en dehors du pot (ce qui évite les températures élevées) appuie sur la partie mobile par l'intermédiaire d'un noyau en matière céramique réfractaire, telle que l'alumine frittée, l'oxyde de titane fritté, ou l'oxyde de zirconium fritté... etc...According to a preferred embodiment of a catalytic converter according to the invention, at least one of the perforated side walls delimiting the catalytic space is movable by axial sliding inside the pot and a spring placed outside the pot ( which avoids high temperatures) presses on the mobile part via a core of refractory ceramic material, such as sintered alumina, sintered titanium oxide, or sintered zirconium oxide ... etc ...

Dans un pot selon l'invention, la diminution de volume de catalyseur peut atteindre 10 à 15 % sans qu'il y ait création d'un vide.In a pot according to the invention, the reduction in volume of catalyst can reach 10 to 15% without creating a vacuum.

Ce type de pot est particulièrement bien adapté pour la mise en oeuvre des catalyseurs résistant au plomb de type particulaire qui doivent fonctionner à température élevée. Le pot catalytique est, en effet, généralement placé très près du moteur en sortie du collecteur d'échappement. Pour donner satisfaction, le pot catalytique doit alors être compact et assurer un bon maintien du catalyseur qui est soumis à des vibrations très fortes.This type of pot is particularly well suited for the use of particulate type lead-resistant catalysts which must operate at high temperature. The catalytic converter is, in fact, generally placed very close to the engine at the outlet of the exhaust manifold. To give satisfaction, the catalytic converter must then be compact and ensure good maintenance of the catalyst which is subjected to very strong vibrations.

L'invention pourra être bien comprise et ses avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description d'un mode particulier, mais non limitatif, de réalisation, illustrée par la figure annexée qui représente schématiquement, vu en coupe axiale, un exemple de réalisation d'un pot d'échappement selon l'invention.The invention can be well understood and its advantages will appear on reading the description of a particular, but not limiting, embodiment, illustrated by the appended figure which schematically represents, seen in axial section, an exemplary embodiment of an exhaust pipe according to the invention .

Le pot d'échappement illustré comporte une enveloppe ou corps tubulaire allongé 1 dont une première extrémité est pourvue d'un orifice 2 coaxial au corps tubulaire par lequel les gaz sont introduits à travers une canalisation d'admission 4 fixée sur le corps 1. A l'autre extrémité du corps 1 est également prévu un orifice 3 écarté de l'axe du corps 1, par lequel les gaz quittent le pot d'échappement en traversant une canalisation d'évacuation 5 solidaire du corps 1. La fixation des canalisations 4 et 5 sur le corps 1 peut être réalisée par tout moyen approprié et notamment par soudure.The illustrated muffler comprises an elongated tubular casing or casing 1, a first end of which is provided with an orifice 2 coaxial with the tubular body by which the gases are introduced through an intake pipe 4 fixed to the body 1. A the other end of the body 1 is also provided with an orifice 3 spaced from the axis of the body 1, through which the gases leave the exhaust pipe by passing through an exhaust pipe 5 secured to the body 1. The fixing of the pipes 4 and 5 on the body 1 can be produced by any suitable means and in particular by welding.

Les extrémités des canalisations 4 et 5 extérieures au corps 1 permettent le raccordement en série du pot d'échappement dans un circuit d'écoulement d'un gaz à traiter. En particulier, le pot d'échappement peut être relié aux canalisations d'échappement d'un moteur à combustion interne.The ends of the pipes 4 and 5 outside the body 1 allow the exhaust pipe to be connected in series in a flow circuit for a gas to be treated. In particular, the exhaust pipe can be connected to the exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine.

A l'intérieur du corps tubulaire 1 est placée une grille interne 6 perforée, délimitant une chambre 7 d'admission des gaz.Inside the tubular body 1 is placed an internal perforated grid 6, delimiting a chamber 7 for gas admission.

Cette dernière communique directement avec l'orifice 2 et a une forme telle que sa section par un plan perpendiculaire à la direction d'introduction des gaz dans le pot d'échappement, diminue progressivement lorsqu'on s'éloigne de l'orifice d'admission 2.The latter communicates directly with the orifice 2 and has a shape such that its section by a plane perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the gases into the exhaust pipe, decreases progressively as one moves away from the orifice of admission 2.

Dans le cas illustré par la figure 1, la grille 6, constituée par une plaque de métal déployé, délimite une chambre 7 ayant une forme tronconique. Cette grille est fixée, par exemple par une soudure, à l'extrémité de la canalisation 4 correspondant à l'orifice 2.In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, the grid 6, constituted by an expanded metal plate, delimits a chamber 7 having a frustoconical shape. This grid is fixed, for example by a weld, to the end of the pipe 4 corresponding to the orifice 2.

Le dispositif comporte une seconde grille, ou grille externe 8, formée de métal déployé. Cette seconde grille 8, de surface supérieure à celle de la grille 6, a la forme de la surface latérale d'un tronc de cône dont la section par un plan perpendiculaire à la direction d'introduction des gaz dans le pot d'échappement, diminue lorsqu'on s'éloigne de l'orifice 2.The device comprises a second grid, or external grid 8, formed of expanded metal. This second grid 8, with an area greater than that of the grid 6, has the shape of the lateral surface of a truncated cone, the section of which by a plane perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the gases into the exhaust pipe, decreases as one moves away from orifice 2.

Le tronc de cône déterminé par la grille externe 8 a sensiblement même hauteur que celui défini par la grille interne 6.The truncated cone determined by the external grid 8 has substantially the same height as that defined by the internal grid 6.

La grille 8 est placée autour de la grille 6 de telle sorte que les génératrices des surfaces des grilles soient sensiblement parallèles. Autrement dit, les grilles 6 et 8 déterminent entre elles un espace annulaire 9 d'épaisseur sensiblement constante.The grid 8 is placed around the grid 6 so that the generatrices of the surfaces of the grids are substantially parallel. In other words, the grids 6 and 8 determine between them an annular space 9 of substantially constant thickness.

Cet espace annulaire est fermé à l'une de ses extrémités par une coupelle transversale 11, non perforée, qui entoure la grille interne 6 au niveau de l'orifice 2 et qui est fixée à l'extrémité de la grille interne 6 correspondant à la section ayant le plus grand diamètre de cette grille. Une autre coupelle transversale 12 dont le fond 12a est fermé, obture à son autre extrémité l'espace annulaire 9 en étant fixée à la grille externe 8 au niveau de sa section de plus petit diamètre.This annular space is closed at one of its ends by a transverse cup 11, not perforated, which surrounds the internal grid 6 at the level of the orifice 2 and which is fixed to the end of the internal grid 6 corresponding to the section with the largest diameter of this grid. Another transverse cup 12 whose bottom 12a is closed, seals at its other end the annular space 9 by being fixed to the external grid 8 at its section of smaller diameter.

A l'extrémité de la grille externe 8 correspondant à la section de plus grand diamètre de cette grille, celle-ci est fixée à une bague 8a montée coulissante sur une bague correspondante 11a qui connecte la coupelle 11 à l'enveloppe ou corps 1.At the end of the external grid 8 corresponding to the section of larger diameter of this grid, the latter is fixed to a ring 8a slidably mounted on a corresponding ring 11a which connects the cup 11 to the casing or body 1.

Le fond de la coupelle 12 fixée à l'extrémité de la grille externe 8 correspondant à la section de plus petit diamètre de cette grille est monté coulissant sur une bague 6a fixée à l'extrémité de la grille interne 6 correspondant à la section de plus petit diamètre de cette grille. Ce fond 12a coulisse également dans un manchon 1a traversant l'enveloppe ou corps 1. La partie de ce manchon 1a située à l'extérieur du pot contient des moyens de compression tels qu'un ressort 13 qui est retenu par un bouchon étanche 14 et exerce une pression contre le fond 12a de la coupelle 12, par l'intermédiaire d'un noyau cylindrique 15 en un matériau isolant thermique, tel qu'une céramique comme l'alumine frittée, de l'oxyde de titane fritté, ou encore de l'oxyde de zirconium fritté.The bottom of the cup 12 fixed to the end of the external grid 8 corresponding to the section of smaller diameter of this grid is slidably mounted on a ring 6a fixed to the end of the internal grid 6 corresponding to the section of more small diameter of this grid. This bottom 12a also slides in a sleeve 1a passing through the envelope or body 1. The part of this sleeve 1a situated outside the pot contains compression means such as a spring 13 which is retained by a tight plug 14 and exerts pressure against the bottom 12a of the cup 12, by means of a cylindrical core 15 of a thermal insulating material, such as a ceramic such as sintered alumina, sintered titanium oxide, or sintered zirconium oxide.

Un bouchon 17, fixé sur la plaque transversale 11, permet d'introduire dans l'espace annulaire 9, le produit catalyseur sous forme de grains ou billes de dimensions supérieures à celle des perforations des grilles 6 et 8.A plug 17, fixed on the transverse plate 11, makes it possible to introduce into the annular space 9, the catalyst product in the form of grains or balls of dimensions greater than that of the perforations of the grids 6 and 8.

La grille 8 définit avec la paroi interne du corps 1 un espace collecteur ou chambre d'échappement 10 ayant de préférence une section qui, mesurée perpendiculairement à la direction d'introduction des gaz dans le pot d'échappement, croît lorsqu'on s'éloigne de l'orifice d'admission 2.The grid 8 defines with the internal wall of the body 1 a collecting space or exhaust chamber 10 preferably having a section which, measured perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the gases into the exhaust, increases when away from the inlet 2.

De préférence, des moyens d'isolation thermique de la plaque 11 sont prévus. Ces moyens sont, par exemple, constitués par une chambre annulaire étanche 16 formée par une prolongation du corps 1, en amont de la plaque 11 si l'on considère le sens d'écoulement des gaz dans le pot d'échappement.Preferably, means for thermal insulation of the plate 11 are provided. These means are, for example, constituted by a sealed annular chamber 16 formed by an extension of the body 1, upstream of the plate 11 if one considers the direction of flow of the gases in the exhaust pipe.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant : les gaz (dont l'écoulement est indiqué par des flèches sur le dessin) sont introduits par la canalisation 4 dans le pot d'échappement, et plus particulièrement dans la chambre d'admission 7. Ils traversent alors l'espace annulaire 9 où ils sont en contact avec le catalyseur. Enfin, ils atteignent la zone collectrice 10 et sont évacués par la canalisation 5.The operation of the device is as follows: the gases (the flow of which is indicated by arrows in the drawing) are introduced via the pipe 4 into the exhaust pipe, and more particularly into the intake chamber 7. They pass through then the annular space 9 where they are in contact with the catalyst. Finally, they reach the collecting zone 10 and are evacuated via the pipe 5.

Au fur et à mesure de la diminution de volume du lit catalytique, le ressort 13, prenant appui sur le bouchon 14 et le fond 12a de la coupelle 12, par l'intermédiaire du noyau en céramique 15, repousse la grille 8 qui coulisse suivant l'axe de la grille 6 vers l'amont du pot si l'on considère le sens d'écoulement des gaz.As the volume of the catalytic bed decreases, the spring 13, bearing on the plug 14 and the bottom 12a of the cup 12, by means of the ceramic core 15, pushes the grid 8 which slides again the axis of the grid 6 upstream of the pot if we consider the direction of gas flow.

Le volume de la chambre 9 sera de préférence tel que la vitesse spatiale de l'écoulement gazeux, définie comme le rapport du débit horaire des gaz pénétrant dans le pot d'échappement au volume du catalyseur contenu dans cette chambre 9, soit inférieure à 400 000 (Heure)" 1, et de préférence à 300000 (Heure)-', ce qui correspond, pour un véhicule à moteur, à un volume au moins égal à 0,5 Litre par litre de cylindrée du moteur.The volume of the chamber 9 will preferably be such that the space velocity of the gas flow, defined as the ratio of the hourly flow rate of the gases entering the exhaust pipe to the volume of the catalyst contained in this chamber 9, ie less than 400,000 (hour) " 1 , and preferably less than 300,000 (hour) - ', which corresponds, for a motor vehicle, to a volume at least equal to 0.5 Liter per liter of engine displacement.

Des modifications pourront être apportées sans pour autant sortir du cadre de la présente invention. En particulier, la section droite du pot d'échappement ne sera pas nécessairement circulaire, mais pourra aussi être polygonale, elliptique ou ovale, de sorte que le pot d'échappement soit plus facilement logeable sur les véhicules à moteur. r.Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the cross section of the exhaust pipe will not necessarily be circular, but may also be polygonal, elliptical or oval, so that the exhaust pipe is more easily accommodated on motor vehicles. r.

La chambre étanche 16 est prévue pour isoler thermiquement la plaque transversale 11, de sorte qu'au voisinage de cette plaque la température du lit catalytique soit suffisante pour que les réactions d'oxydation des gaz s'amorcent. Elle pourra être remplacée partout autre dispositif, tel qu'une couche de recouvrement de la face extérieure de cette plaque en un matériau d'isolation thermique.The sealed chamber 16 is provided for thermally insulating the transverse plate 11, so that in the vicinity of this plate the temperature of the catalytic bed is sufficient for the gas oxidation reactions to start. It can be replaced anywhere other device, such as a covering layer of the outer face of this plate in a thermal insulation material.

Il est également possible de prévoir une protection thermique de la surface extérieure du pot d'échappement pour obtenir, au démarrage du moteur, une mise en température plus rapide du lit catalytique.It is also possible to provide thermal protection of the external surface of the exhaust pipe in order to obtain a faster temperature rise of the catalytic bed when the engine is started.

De plus, les génératrices des grilles 6 et 8 pourront ne pas être parallèles entre elles et la grille externe pourra être cylindrique au lieu d'avoir la forme tronconique représentée qui présente cependant l'avantage de réduire les dimensions du corps tubulaire 1.In addition, the generators of the grids 6 and 8 may not be parallel to each other and the external grid may be cylindrical instead of having the frustoconical shape shown, which however has the advantage of reducing the dimensions of the tubular body 1.

Claims (9)

1. Catalytic silencer for purifying the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising an elongate body having a gas intake chamber and a discharge chamber, comprising orifices situated substantially at both ends of the pot respectively, an elongate annular space for containing a purifying catalyst of particular type formed inside said elongate body and separating said gas intake and discharge chambers, this space being defined by walls which comprise two lateral walls with perforations, means (13) for compressing the catalyst acting on a sliding wall while tending to reduce the volume of said annular space for containing the catalyst, these means being separated from the gas intake chamber (17) by a gas tight wall (12a), characterized in that one at least of the two side walls is slightly conical and mounted for sliding in the elongate direction of the pot, and in that said means (13) for compressing the catalyst are separated from said gas tight wall (12a) by heat insulation means (15).
2. Silencer according to claim 1, characterized in that said side walls defining said annular space (10) comprise an internal truncated cone shaped wall (6) comprising at its smaller diameter end a tubular end piece (6a) on which a bottom (12,12a) of the second side wall (8) is slidingly mounted.
3. Catalytic silencer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its end (8a) opposite said bottom (12a) the second side wall (8) is slidingly mounted on a cup (11) surrounding said internal wall (6).
4. Catalytic silencer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the second side wall (12a) is also slidingly mounted inside a sleeve (1a) in which said means (13) for compressing the catalyst are housed.
5. Silencer according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve (1a) passes through the wall of said tubular body (1) and in that said compression means (13) are disposed outside this body, said heat insulation means (15) being interposed between said compression means (13) and the bottom (12a) of said second wall (8).
6. Silencer according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said heat insulation means (15) comprise a refractory ceramic material core.
7. Silencer according to claim 6, characterized in that said ceramic material is sintered alumina.
8. Silencer according to claim 6, characterized in that said ceramic material is sintered titanium oxide.
9. Silencer according to claim 6, characterized in that said ceramic material is sintered zirconium oxide.
EP82401844A 1981-10-13 1982-10-07 Catalytic exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal-combustion engine Expired EP0077711B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82401844T ATE19675T1 (en) 1981-10-13 1982-10-07 CATALYTIC EXHAUST GAS PURIFICATION SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL ENGINE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8119373A FR2514413B1 (en) 1981-10-13 1981-10-13 CATALYST POT FOR THE PURIFICATION OF EXHAUST GASES FROM AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
FR8119373 1981-10-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0077711A1 EP0077711A1 (en) 1983-04-27
EP0077711B1 true EP0077711B1 (en) 1986-05-07

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EP82401844A Expired EP0077711B1 (en) 1981-10-13 1982-10-07 Catalytic exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal-combustion engine

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US (1) US4457895A (en)
EP (1) EP0077711B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS58197414A (en)
KR (1) KR890001728B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE19675T1 (en)
AU (1) AU564771B2 (en)
DE (1) DE3271029D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2514413B1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US4457895A (en) 1984-07-03
FR2514413A1 (en) 1983-04-15
AU8927782A (en) 1983-04-21
ATE19675T1 (en) 1986-05-15
FR2514413B1 (en) 1985-11-29
AU564771B2 (en) 1987-08-27
DE3271029D1 (en) 1986-06-12
KR890001728B1 (en) 1989-05-19
JPH0512526B2 (en) 1993-02-18
KR840002069A (en) 1984-06-11
JPS58197414A (en) 1983-11-17
EP0077711A1 (en) 1983-04-27

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