USE OF POWDER-COATED NICKEL FOAM AS A RESISTOR TO INCREASE THE TEMPERATURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEVICES WITH THE USE OF ELECTRICITY

摘要

The disclosed invention relates to the optimization of catalytic reactions in diesel engines. A powder-coated nickel or other metallic foam is used as both the substrate and a resistor in a catalytic converter. The disclosed method uses a closed-loop system to heat the metallic foam with electric current to heat the diesel exhaust and thereby optimize the temperature at which the catalytic reaction occurs. The disclosed apparatus comprises a metallic foam substrate with a catalytic coating. The substrate is heated with electrical current to optimize the catalytic reaction. A variety of washcoats and/or catalysts may be used to coat the metallic foam substrate and the optimal temperature will depend on the catalyst used.