Honeycomb heater with catalyst

Abstract: A honeycomb heater has a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages and at least two electrodes for energizing said honeycomb structure, provided on the honeycomb structure. A catalyst composition carried on the honeycomb structure, contains zirconia powder loaded with at least Rh before mixing with inorganic heat-resistant oxide and a rare earth element oxide. A catalytic converter has at least one or two main monolithic catalyst(s) and this honeycomb heater disposed upstream, downstream or between the main monolithic catalysts.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a honeycomb heater and a catalytic converter wherein a honeycomb structure is coated with a specific catalyst composition. Description of the Related Art Honeycomb heaters of the above-described type can be employed as heaters for domestic use, such as hot air heaters, or as industrial heaters, such as preheaters used for control of automobile exhaust emission. The above-described catalytic converters can be applied for use in automobile exhaust emission control. Catalytic converters for use in automobile exhaust gas control must have a predetermined temperature or above when operated so that its catalyst can perform its catalytic action. Hence, the catalyst must be heated when the temperature thereof is not sufficiently high, i.e., at the beginning of running of a vehicle. Techniques for heating the catalyst have been proposed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 676⊘9/1988. This disclosed technique is a catalytic converter comprised of a metal monolithic catalyst disposed upstream of and adjacent to a main ceramic monolithic catalyst. The metal monolithic catalyst comprises an electrically conductive metal substrate with alumina coated thereon. Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 156545/1988 and 185451/1988, catalysts for purifying exhaust gas of such harmful components simultaneously as hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) have been proposed. In EP-A-272136, equivalent to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 156545/1988, for the purpose of obtaining a three-way catalyst for automotive exhaust gas having high initial activity and durability, it is disclosed that a honeycomb substrate having an unit (monolithic) structure is coated with a catalyst composition which comprises zirconia loaded with a platinum-group metal, a refractory inorganic oxide such as activated alumina, and a rare earth element oxide such as a cerium oxide. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 185451/1988, for the same purpose as described above for EP-A-272136, a purification catalyst for exhaust gas which comprises a honeycomb substrate with a catalyst composition coated thereon is disclosed, the catalyst composition containing a refractory inorganic oxide in a form of particles such as alumina and zirconia whose average particle diameter ranges ⊘.5-2⊘ µm; and supporting 5-3⊘% platinum by weight and 1-2⊘% rhodium by weight Also, in EP-A-272136 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 185451/1988, it is described that a metal monolith substrate such as an alloy of Fe-Cr-Al is employed as a honeycomb substrate. Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 676⊘9/1988, however, does not disclose any adequate catalyst composition specifically, though it is important that a metal monolithic catalyst which is electrically conductive and is disposed upstream of the main monolithic catalyst should have the light-off performance at low temperature, thermal resistance and durability against poisonous substances such as Pb and P. Both the catalysts for purifying exhaust gas disclosed in EP-A-272136 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 185451/1988 were not developed for the heater use; therefore, when they are used for coating a heater, the endurance and the like of the heater under such a condition as at high temperature has not been considered. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a honeycomb heater and a catalytic converter which eliminate the aforementioned problems associated with the prior techniques. To this end, the present invention provides a honeycomb heater as set out in claim 1. The present invention further provides a catalytic converter wherein the above-mentioned honeycomb heater is disposed upstream or downstream of a main monolithic catalyst, or between the main monolithic catalysts. According to the present invention, a honeycomb heater having a resistance adjusting means such as a slit or slits between the electrodes is able to raise the temperature of exhaust gas quickly when the temperature of exhaust gas is still low, that is, the beginning of running of a vehicle; and therefore is preferred. It is preferable that the composition of the honeycomb structure in the present invention consists essentially of 2-3⊘% Al by weight, 1⊘-4⊘% Cr by weight, and Fe accounting for most of the remainder, Preferably, a honeycomb structure employed in the present invention is produced by forming metal powders into a honeycomb configuration and then by sintering a formed honeycomb body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a honeycomb heater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is necessary that the honeycomb heater disposed upstream or the like of the main monolithic catalyst have the following properties above all: The catalyst on the honeycomb heater needs to have excellence in 1) light-off performance at low temperature; 2) the three-way catalytic performance at high temperature; 3) heat resistance; and 4) durability against poisonous substances. It is necessary to solve the problem that the heat resistance of Rh-γAl₂O₃ (ordinarily used) in a catalyst declines owing to strong interaction between Rh and γAl₂O₃ especially in an oxidizing atmosphere. It is also important to prevent the decline of the durability against poisonous substances caused by adhesion of Pb and P in exhaust gas on the upstream side. The substrate of the honeycomb heater needs to have excellence in 1) quick heating; 2) heat resistance; 3) oxidation resistance; 4) corrosion resistance during catalyst preparation; and 5) strength and thermal shock resistance (especially, having no telescope phenomenon). In the present invention, as a catalyst being excellent in above properties is employed a catalyst composition which contains zirconia powder loaded with Rh beforehand, a heat-resistant inorganic oxide and a rare earth element oxide. The zirconia powder (Rh-ZrO₂) loaded with Rh has the advantage of increasing the heat resistance because of the adequate interaction between Rh and ZrO₂. ZrO₂ powder having a specific surface area of 5 m²/g - 1⊘⊘ m²/g is suitable. Also, employing ZrO₂ stabilized by addition of 1-8 mol of Y₂O₃ is preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance. The proportion of Rh to ZrO₂ is preferably ⊘.⊘1-15% by weight as far as the light-off performance, steady state performance, durability and so on are concerned. It is more preferably ⊘.⊘1-1% by weight and most preferably ⊘.⊘3-⊘.5% by weight in order to use the expensive Rh at the least necessary amount and to maintain the durability at a high level. The preferable percentage of the zirconia powder with Rh contained in the catalyst composition is 5-5⊘% by weight from the viewpoint of dispersion of Rh. Also, from the viewpoint of durability and the production cost, 1⊘-3⊘% by weight is preferable, since the ZrO₂ material is expensive. The catalyst composition also contains a composite oxide of alumina (Al₂O₃) and ceria (CeO₂), carrying Pt and/or Pd. Alumina provides sufficient light-off performance, steady state performance and durability. Alumina can be used of any type among γ, δ, ϑ, α, χ, κ, η. To assure the light-off performance at low temperature, alumina having a specific surface area of 1⊘⊘m²/g or more (mostly γ type) is preferably employed. Also, to assure the durability, it is preferable that a small amount of alumina having a specific surface area of 2⊘m²/g or less (mostly α type) is blended with above-mentioned alumina. CeO₂ shows a high purification efficiency for an exhaust gas generated even under various air-to-fuel ratios, because they are able to display their oxygen-storage ability. The amount of the CeO₂ is preferably 2-35% by weight of the alumina. Thus heat resistance of the alumina can be increased further. To improve the catalytic performance the composition of alumina and CeO₂ contains at least one platinum group element selected from Pt and Pd, by a known method. The catalytic composition loaded with said platinum group element(s) beforehand is employed is most preferable because durability will be increased and because the step of impregnating with the platinum group element (noble metal) during preparing a catalyst can be omitted; and therefore, the metallic honeycomb heater can be prevented from corroding. The noble metal with which the composition of alumina and ceria is loaded preferably contains ⊘.1-1⊘% Pt and/or Pd by weight, because they will not easily interact with Rh on ZrO₂; and therefore, durability will be improved. In the present invention, the total amount of the noble metal(s) loaded on the honeycomb heater with catalyst is preferably ⊘.5-1.6g per volume unit (ℓ) of the honeycomb heater, and the total amount of Rh is preferably ⊘.⊘2-⊘.3 g/ℓ. Also, the weight ratio of Rh to other platinum group element(s) is preferably 1/19-1/5, from the viewpoint of, the catalytic purification activity, durability and production cost. The preferable ratio of the catalyst composition supported on the honeycomb heater is 35-23⊘ g/ℓ. In the above-mentioned catalyst composition, the ZrO₂ powder with Rh and the composite oxide of alumina and CeO₂ may take either a form of mixture, or a form of respective layers. An example of the preparation of the catalyst composition carried on the honeycomb heater is now described. An aqueous solution of rhodium salt such as rhodium nitrate and rhodium chloride which contains required amount of Rh is loaded on ZrO₂ powder, followed by calcining at 4⊘⊘-8⊘⊘°C. If the calcining temperature is under 4⊘⊘°C, the salt may not decompose sufficiently. If the temperature is over 8⊘⊘°C, undesirable Rh dispersion might occur. To the obtained ZrO₂ powder containing Rh are added such a heat-resistant oxide as γ-Al₂O₃; and if necessary, an inorganic binder like boehmite alumina is added. Thereto is added a cerium compound like CeO₂ powder, and put a deflocculant such as acetic acid to prepare slurry for loading. The slurry is adhered onto the honeycomb heater, followed by drying and firing. The firing temperature is 4⊘⊘ - 8⊘⊘°C. Subsequently, on the obtained heater is loaded with platinum group element(s) by impregnation, followed by firing at 4⊘⊘ - 8⊘⊘ °C after drying. In this case, the metallic honeycomb is liable to corrode during impregnation with the platinum group element(s). Moreover, alloying Rh is promoted while driving and durability is decreased, because the powder of Rh-ZrO₂ is loaded by impregnation with other platinum group element(s) such as Pt and Rd. A preferable method for durability is that after mixing the alumina and the ceria, for example, by wet method and subsequent calcining, the resultant composite oxide is impregnated with Pt and/or Pd. The above-mentioned method is an example of coating the honeycomb heater in a mixture state with the ZrO₂ powder containing Rh, and the composite oxide powder of alumina and ceria with platinum group element(s). Each powder can be also coated on the honeycomb heater in a layered form having a desired film thickness. Next, description on the honeycomb heater is as follows. It is important to coat the honeycomb heater with the above-mentioned catalyst composition. To set up the range of both composition and structure of the honeycomb heater itself is also very important on practical use. As a honeycomb structure, the substrate of the honeycomb heater, a metallic sintered structure produced by forming a powder material into a honeycomb configuration and sintering the formed body is preferred. In this case, the so-called powder metallurgy and extrusion are preferably employed, because of their simple process and low cost; moreover, since the structure has a unitary (monolithic) body, no telescope phenomenon occurs, and uniform heating can be achieved. The honeycomb structure may have a heat-resistant metal oxide, such as Al₂O₃ or Cr₂O₃, coated on the surface of the cell walls and that of the pores thereof to enhance resistance to heat, oxidation and corrosion. Whereas any material, ceramic or metal, capable of generating heat when energized, can be used as the material of the honeycomb structure employed in the present invention, the use of metal enhances the mechanical strength and is thus preferred. Examples of such metals include stainless steel and materials having a composition of Fe-Cr-Al, Fe-Cr, Fe-Al, Fe-Ni, W-Co, Ni-Cr or the like. Among the above materials, the composition being composed of 2-3⊘% Al, 1⊘-4⊘% Cr and Fe accounting for most of the remainder by weight is preferred because of low cost and high resistance to heat, oxidation, corrosion and strength. To above-mentioned composition, B, Si, Cu, on Sn can be added as a sintering promoter. Also, a rare earth element can be added up to 5% by weight to improve the resistance to oxidation. The honeycomb structure employed in the present invention may be porous or non-porous. In the case where a catalyst is carried on the honeycomb structure, however, a porous honeycomb structure is preferred because a catalyst layer can be closely adhered to such a honeycomb structure, and hardly peels off the honeycomb structure even when a difference in the thermal expansion between the honeycomb structure and the catalyst composition exists. The metal honeycomb structure, the basic body of the honeycomb heater, will be prepared in the manner described below. First, Fe powder, Al powder and Cr powder, or alternatively powders of alloys of these metals, are mixed to prepare a metal powder mixture having a desired composition. Subsequently, the metal powder mixture is blended into an organic binder, such as methyl cellulose or polyvinylalcohol, and water to produce a readily formable mixture. That mixture is then formed into a shape of a desired honeycomb configuration by extrusion. When the metal powder mixture is blended into an organic binder and water, prior to the addition of water, an antioxidant, such as oleic acid, may be added to the metal powder mixture. Alternatively, powders of metals which are subjected to anti-oxidation process may be employed. Next, the formed honeycomb body is fired in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature ranging between about 1⊘⊘⊘ and 14⊘⊘°C. During the sintering in the non-oxidizing atmosphere containing hydrogen, the organic binder is decomposed and thereby removed with the aid of Fe or the like which acts as a catalyst, and a good sintered body can therefore be obtained. Sintering at a temperature lower than 1⊘⊘⊘°C achieves no sintering. Sintering conducted at a temperature higher than 14⊘⊘°C causes deformation of the resulting sintered body. Preferably, a heat-resistant metal oxide is then coated on the surface of the cell walls and that of the pores of the obtained sintered body by any of the following methods: (1) the sintered body is subjected to the heat-treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature ranging between 7⊘⊘ to 11⊘⊘°C. (2) Al or the like is plated ( e.g., vapor plating) on the surface of the cell walls and that of the pores of the sintered body and that sintered body is then subjected to heat-treatment in the oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 7⊘⊘ and 11⊘⊘°C. (3) the sintered body is dipped into a molten metal, such as Al, and that sintered body is then subjected to the heat-treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 7⊘⊘ and 11⊘⊘°C. (4) alumina sol or the like is coated on the surface of the cell wall and that of the pores of the sintered body and that sintered body is then subjected to the heat-treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 7⊘⊘ and 11⊘⊘°C. To enhance resistance to heat and oxidation, heat-treatment conducted at a temperature ranging between 9⊘⊘ and 11⊘⊘°C is preferred. Next, a resistance adjusting means of any form is provided on the obtained metallic honeycomb structure between the electrodes thereof, which will be described later. The resistance adjusting means provided on the honeycomb structure may take on any of the following forms: (1) a slit or slits of any length, formed in any direction at any position (2) variations in the length of cell walls in the axial direction of the passages (3) variations in the thickness (wall thickness) of the cell walls of the honeycomb structure or variations in the cell density of the honeycomb structure. (4) a slit or slits formed in the cell wall (rib) of the honeycomb structure The honeycomb heater of the present invention is produced by providing electrodes on the outer periphery or inside of the metal honeycomb structure obtained in the manner described above by means of brazing or welding. The term, 'electrodes' is used in this application to refer to any terminal through which a voltage is applied to the honeycomb heater. The electrodes include the direct bonding of the outer peripheral portion of the heater to a can body and terminals for grounding. In the metallic honeycomb structure, the resistance thereof will preferably be held between ⊘.⊘⊘1 Ω and ⊘.5 Ω. Whereas the honeycomb structure employed in the present invention may have any honeycomb configuration, it is desirable that the cell density ranges from (6 to 15⊘⊘ cells/in²) ⊘.9 to 233 cells/cm² with a wall thickness ranging from 5⊘ to 2⊘⊘⊘ µm. As stated above, the honeycomb structure employed in the present invention may be porous or non-porous. To achieve sufficient mechanical strength and resistance to oxidation and corrosion, however, the porosity of the metal honeycomb structure will preferably be held between ⊘ and 5⊘% by volume with most preferable porosity being less than 25% by volume. The term, "honeycomb structure" is employed in this application to refer to an integral body having a large number of passages partitioned by the walls. The passages may have any cross-sectional form (cell shape), e.g., a circular, polygonal or corrugated form. The honeycomb heater of the present invention is produced as mentioned above. If it is disposed upstream (in front) of the main monolithic catalyst, the honeycomb heater would be poisoned by Pb and P very much. Therefore, a protective film being porous of Al₂O₃ , ZrO₂ or the like is preferably put in the thickness of 5-2⊘ µm on the catalyst composition carried on the honeycomb heater in order to prevent direct interaction between the poisoning substances and the precious metal; consequently to improve durability. The present invention is hereinafter described in more detail by way of Examples. However, the present invention is in no way restricted to the following Examples: EXAMPLES Preparation of substrate of honeycomb heater (1) Honeycomb Heater I Fe powder, Fe-Al powder (Al: 5⊘ % by weight) and Fe-Cr powder (Cr: 5⊘ % by weight), having average particle sizes of 1⊘, 2⊘ and 22 µm, were mixed to prepare a mixture having a composition of Fe-22Cr-5Al (% by weight), and the obtained mixture was then blended into an organic binder (methyl cellulose), an antioxidant (oleic acid) and water to produce a readily formable body. That body was formed into a square cell honeycomb structure having a rib thickness of ⊘,1 mm (4 mil) and a cell density of 62 cells/cm² (4⊘⊘ cells/in²(cpi²)) by extrusion. The extruded honeycomb structure was dried and fired in H₂ atmosphere at 13⊘⊘°C. Thereafter, the obtained honeycomb structure was subjected to heat-treatment in the atmosphere at 1⊘⊘⊘°C. The obtained honeycomb structure had a porosity of 22% by volume. The electrodes 11 were provided on the outer wall 1⊘ of the thus-obtained honeycomb structure having an outer diameter of 9⊘ mm⊘ and a length of 25 mm, as shown in Fig. 1 Also, six slits 12 having a length of 7⊘ mm were formed in the honeycomb structure in the axial direction of the passages (the slits provided at the two ends had a length of 5⊘ mm) at intervals of seven cells (about 1⊘ mm). Zirconia type heat-resistant inorganic adhesive was filled in an outer peripheral portion 13 of each slit 12 to form an insulating portion. (2) Honeycomb Heater II In the same manner as that of the honeycomb heater I was obtained a honeycomb heater substrate II having a composition of Fe-25Al(% by weight). This substrate II had a porosity of 3⊘% by volume. (3) Honeycomb Heater III In the same manner as that of the honeycomb heater I was obtained a honeycomb heater substrate III having a composition of Fe-2⊘ Cr (% by weight). This base III had a porosity of 3% by volume. Preparation of catalyst composition (1) Procedure A An aqueous solution of rhodium nitrate was impregnated into partially stabilized ZrO₂ powder, which contained 3% Y₂O₃ by mole, had a specific surface area of 16m²/g and was commercially available, in the Rh containing amount shown in Table 1. Then the resultant powder was dried at 12⊘° C for 16 hours; calcined at 65⊘° C for 1 hour; thus ZrO₂ powder containing Rh was obtained. Next, to 9⊘ parts by weight of commercially available γ-Al₂O₃ powder having a BET specific surface area of 2⊘⊘m²/g was added a mixture of cerium acetate and ceria powder in an amount of 1⊘ parts by weight in terms of ceria. There were further added 15⊘ parts by weight of water and a little amount of acetic acid. The resulting mixture was milled in a pot mill to obtain slurry. The obtained slurry was dried at 12⊘°C for 16 hours and calcined at 65⊘° C for 1 hour to obtain alumina powder containing ceria. Into the obtained alumina powder containing ceria was impregnated aqueous solutions of dinitrodiamine platinum, palladium nitrate and rhodium nitrate, in the containing amount of Pt, Pd and Rh shown in Table 1. Then the resultant powder was dried at 12⊘°C for 16 hours; calcined at 65⊘°C for 1 hour; thus ceria alumina powder containing platinum group element(s). The obtained ZrO₂ powder containing Rh and ceria alumina powder containing platinum group elements were wet-milled (acetic acid was added as a deflocculant) in the weight ratios shown in Table 1 to obtain a slurry for loading. The honeycomb heater base I was loaded with the slurry by coating plural times and then fired at 525°C for 3 hours to obtain catalysts No. 1-11. The loading amount was made to be 14⊘g/ℓ. (2) Procedure B To Rh-containing ZrO₂ powder, which had obtained in the same manner as in Procedure A, was added commercially available desired γ-Al₂O₃ powder having a BET specific surface area of 2⊘⊘ m²/g, a mixture of cerium acetate and ceria powder and acetic acid as a deflocculant. The resulting mixture was milled in a pot mill to obtain a slurry for loading. The honeycomb heater base was loaded with this slurry by coating plural times and fired at 525°C for 3 hours after drying; an aqueous solution of dinitrodiamine platinum was impregnated into the catalyst layer covering the honeycomb heater base; the resultant catalyst layer loaded with platinum was fired at 525° C for 3 hours to obtain catalyst No. 12. (3) Procedure C The catalyst No. 2 which had been obtained in Procedure A was coated with the ZrO₂ powder, which had been used in Procedure A, as a protective film in the thickness of 1⊘ µm to obtain a catalyst No. 13. Also, in the same manner as in Procedure A except that the honeycomb heater II and III were used, catalysts No. 14 and 15 were obtained. (4) Procedure D To 9⊘ parts by weight of commercially available γ-Al₂O₃ powder having a BET specific surface area of 2⊘⊘ m²/g was added a mixture of cerium acetate and ceria powder in an amount of 1⊘ parts by weight in terms of ceria. There were further added 15⊘ parts by weight of water and a little amount of acetic acid. The resulting mixture was milled in a pot mill to obtain a slurry, with which a honeycomb heater base was coated plural times, and fired at 525°C for 3 hours. The resultant sintering article was loaded with dinitrodiamine platinum, palladium nitrate and rhodium nitrate by impregnation in the containing amount of Pt, Pd and Rh shown in Table 1. Then catalysts Nos. 16 - 18 were obtained by firing at 525° C for 3 hours after drying. (5) Procedure E A catalyst No. 19 was obtained in the same manner as in Procedure A, except that ZrO₂ powder containing Rh was used. Evaluation of honeycomb heaters (1) Durability test a There was used a 2,⊘⊘⊘ cc engine provided with one of the catalysts No.1 to 19. the engine was operated for 6⊘ seconds at an air-to-fuel (A/F) ratio close to a stoichimetric point, so as to give a gas temperature of 75⊘° C at the catalyst bed inlet (catalyst bed temperature = about 8⊘⊘° C), and then the fuel supply was stopped for 5 seconds to shift to a fuel-lean mixture. This cycle was repeated to subject each catalyst to total 1⊘⊘ hours of aging. (2) Durability test b Catalytic converters were produced by disposing the catalysts no. 2 and 17 (preheaters with a catalyst) which had been obtained in the present invention on the upstream (front) side of commercially available three-way catalysts -namely, main monolithic catalysts (honeycomb structures which had a volume of 1.31; whose carrier was ceramic; which consisted of square cells having a rib thickness of ⊘,15 mm (6 mil) and a cell density of 62 cells/cm² (4⊘⊘ cells/in²)). These catalytic converters were subjected to aging on the same conditions as in Durability test a . (3) Evaluation of light-off performance and steady state performance (three-way characteristic) Parts of the honeycomb heater with a catalyst which had been obtained in Durability test a were cut off to evaluate their catalytic performance in a simulated exhaust gas (a mixture gas). The light-off performance was evaluated as follows: Catalysts were subjected to temperature elevation from 1⊘⊘°C to 55⊘ °C at a constant rate of 8°C/min on a condition of A/F = 14.6; and the temperature at which the conversion of a particular gas component in the exhaust gas became 5⊘% was taken as a light-off temperature T5⊘%(°C). The three-way characteristic was evaluated as follows: There were measured conversion efficiency of each gas component in the exhaust gas at a reaction temperature of 4⊘⊘°C at a ratio of A/F = 14.6. This conversion efficiency was taken as a three-way characteristic of the catalysts used. Incidentally, the space velocity during measurement was always 5⊘,⊘⊘⊘ hr⁻¹. The exhaust gas in the case of A/F = 14.6 had a composition (by volume) of 1.7% (CO), 2,76⊘ ppm (HC) (in terms of C), 95⊘ ppm (NO x ), 1.3% (O₂), ⊘.6% (H₂), 13.2% (CO₂), 1⊘.⊘% (H₂O), 23 ppm (SO₂) and the remainder (N₂). The results are shown in Table 1. (4) Evaluation of heating performance The catalytic converters which had been obtained Durability test b were used to evaluate the catalytic performance for exhaust gas at the beginning of operation of the engine. An automobile whose engine displacement was 24⊘⊘ cc was given Bag test of FTP. Supply of a current to the heater was made immediately after the engine on Bag 1 test began to operate. The voltage supplied to the heater was 24V; the supply of a current began after engine had started; the supplying was continued for 6⊘ seconds. While the heater was supplied with a current, the temperature of gas in the center of the heater was made to be at 4⊘⊘°C. The secondary air was taken into the catalytic converter at a rate of 2⊘⊘ℓ/min for 4⊘ seconds from the engine starting. The results are shown in Table 2. In order to make a comparison, the purification ability of the catalytic converters which had not been subjected to Durability test b , that is , fresh catalysts was also evaluated. As shown in Table 1, every example of the present invention had excellent light-off performance and three-way characteristic, even after a durability test. In particular, the catalytic performance of NO x was high because of interaction between Rh and ZrO₂. The catalysts No.1 and 4 which contained less Rh showed excellent performance as much as or more than the catalyst No. 18 which contained more Rh. Therefore, drastic cut of expenses can be made by reducing precious metal. In the cases of the catalysts No. 14 and 15 (the compositions were Fe-22Al and Fe-2⊘ Cr, respectively), the catalyst No. 14 had a sufficient catalytic performance after a durability test, though, several cracks occurred in the cells owing to vibration and thermal shock during the durability test; the durability of the catalyst No. 15 was not sufficiently high. Consequently, it is preferable that a honeycomb heater base adequately composed be used. In the catalyst layer of the catalyst No. 15, separating of Fe and Cr was observed. Making a comparison between the catalysts No. 2 and 17 whose compositions and loading amount of precious metal were the same, the ETP emission of each catalytic converter was evaluated when the heater was supplied a current: In the beginning, the difference of their performance was small; however, after the durability test, the heater of the present invention proved to be excellent. As will be understood from the foregoing description, the honeycomb heaters and catalytic coverters of the present invention have excellence in the purification property for exhaust gas such as light-off performance at low temperature and three-way catalytic performance, heat resistance and durability against poisonous substances. When a honeycomb heater of the present invention which has a specific composition is employed, there can be obtained a honeycomb heater and catalytic converter which have the rapid-heating ability, excellent resistance against heat, shock and so on.

Claims: A honeycomb heater comprising: a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages; at least two electrodes for applying electrical energy to said honeycomb structure, provided on said honeycomb structure; a catalyst composition carried on said honeycomb structure, which comprises (a) zirconia powder carrying Rh as sole catalytically active metal and (b) a powder of a composite oxide of Al₂O₃ and CeO₂ carrying Pt and/or Pd as catalytically active metal(s). A honeycomb heater according to claim 1, wherein said zirconia powder is loaded with Rh in the range of 0.01-15% by weight relative to the weight of said Z r O₂ powder. A honeycomb heater according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said catalyst composition contains said zirconia powder in an amount in the range of 5-50% by weight. A honeycomb heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the total loading amount of platinum is in the range 0.5 to 1.6g per litre of the honeycomb heater, and the total loading amount of Rh is in the range 0.02 to 0.3g per litre of the honeycomb heater. A honeycomb heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the weight ratio of Rh to Pt and/or Pd in the catalyst composition is in the range 1/19 to 1/5. A honeycomb heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said honeycomb structure comprises 2-30% by weight of Al, 10-40% by weight of Cr, and the remainder Fe. A honeycomb heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said honeycomb structure is a metallic sintered structure produced by forming powder material into a shape of honeycomb configuration and then by sintering said shape. A honeycomb heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a resistance adjusting means is disposed between said electrodes. A honeycomb heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein a porous layer of a heat-resistant oxide is coated on said catalyst composition. A catalytic converter comprising: at least one main monolithic catalyst; and a honeycomb heater disposed upstream or downstream of said main monolithic catalyst, said honeycomb heater being according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A catalytic converter comprising: at least two main monolithic catalysts; and a honeycomb heater disposed between said main monolithic catalysts in the gas flow stream, said honeycomb heater being according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Inventors: ABE FUMIO, SUZUKI JUNICHI, ABE, FUMIO, SUZUKI, JUNICHI
Applicants: NGK INSULATORS LTD, NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B01D53
IPC codes: F01N3, B01D53, B01J23