Patent ID: 6272849
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B01D,F01N,Y02A,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of conditioning an automotive catalyst of the type that induces reactive catalysis of HC and CO introduced to such catalyst as engine exhaust gas from an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising:(a) electrolyzing water on-board said vehicle to derive and store separate proportions of hydrogen and oxygen at pressures in the range of 50-100 psi;(b) immediately upon initiation of engine starting, rapidly transferring stoichiometric proportions of the separated and stored hydrogen and oxygen to a fron face location of a catalyst substrate to heat the catalyst substrate by spontaneous catalytic recombination of the hydrogen and oxygen and thereby raise the temperature of the catalyst substrate rapidly to a temperature at which certain emissions can be catalytically converted;(c) complete cranking of the engine to admit emissions laden with CO and HC to the catalyst substrate while continuing to transfer stoichiometric proportions of the hydrogen and oxygen to said front face location for raising the substrate temperature to about 300.degree. C.; and(d) ceasing introduction of the hydrogen and oxygen when the catalyst substrate has reached a full operational temperature for optimum emission conversion.