Abstract
In this study, results from an experimental and numerical study of flow distribution in a close-coupled catalytic converter (CCC) are presented. The experiments were carried out using a glow measurement system. Flow distribution at the exit of the first monolith in the CCC was measured using a pitot tube under steady and transient flow conditions. Numerical analysis was done using a CF D code at the same test conditions, and the results were compared with the experimental results. Experimental results showed that the uniformity index of exhaust gas velocity decreases as Reynolds number increases. Under the steady flow conditions, flow through each exhaust pipe concentrates on a small region of the monolith. Under the transient flow conditions, flow through each exhaust pipe with the engine firing order interacts with each other to spread the flow over the monolith face. The numerical analysis results support the experimental results, and help explain the flow pattern in the entry region of the CCC.
