Patent ID: 7211232

Claim:
A method for removing particulate matter and carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and hydrocarbon pollutants and for trapping particulate matter from the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a) directing an exhaust gas stream from an engine through a substantially fibrous nonwoven filter; b) catalyzing the conversion of hydrocarbon pollutants into carbon dioxide and water; c) catalyzing the conversion of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide; d) catalyzing the conversion of nitrogen oxide into molecular nitrogen gas; and e) extracting particulate matter from the exhaust gas stream; wherein the substantially fibrous nonwoven filter further comprises: a plurality of inlet channels and outlet channels arranged in an alternating pattern; a substantially fibrous non-woven porous wall between respective adjacent inlet and outlet channels; and a catalyst portion disposed on the substantially fibrous non-woven porous walls.