Correlation of Light-Off Activity for Full Size and Cored Catalyst Samples

This study identifies, and analyses, the correlation that exists in the CO light-off performance of full size canned catalytic converters and cored samples taken from the front and rear sections of the same catalyst brick. Testing was conducted under laboratory conditions, with full size samples tested using the Catagen Labcat, and testing of cored samples conducted using the Horiba SIGU 2000. From experimental tests alone, there was no clear correlation between the CO light-off activities of full size and cored catalyst samples. However, by performing simulations using the QUB global catalyst model, which accounts for the variation of precious metal dispersion and differences in the heat transfer characteristics of the test rigs, correlation was shown to be good.