Second Paper: Recent Developments in Exhaust Manifold Reactor Systems

Abstract

Exhaust emission control systems employing air injection and exhaust manifold reactors in place of conventional exhaust manifolds have been developed to control vehicle emissions to 0·25 gram (20 p.p.m.) of hydrocarbons and 5·0 grams (0·22 per cent) of carbon monoxide per mile. These low emission levels have been achieved with good driveability, good vehicle performance and very little loss in fuel economy. Durability tests of a number of exhaust manifold reactor systems indicate that acceptable life in consumer service can be attained. Non-nickel alloy steels developed by specialty steel manufacturers, and based on the iron-chromium- aluminium system, appear to be useful materials of construction for reactors. These alloys coupled with the now demonstrated simplifications in reactor design offer one route to lower ultimate costs of these units. The commercial development and application of exhaust manifold reactor systems seems entirely feasible.