Design and CFD Analysis of Catalytic Converter using OpenFOAM

Catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device. The main functionality of catalytic converter is to reduce the harmful emissions of an internal combustion engine by catalyzing redox reactions of emissions. This work targets the design and CFD (computation fluid dynamics)

Project Title

Design and CFD Analysis of Catalytic Converter using OpenFOAM

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

Catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device. The main functionality of catalytic converter is to reduce the harmful emissions of an internal combustion engine by catalyzing redox reactions of emissions. This work targets the design and CFD (computation fluid dynamics) analysis of catalytic converters using an opensource software ‘Openfoam’.

The rapid and exponential development of the world over the past century has led to the destruction of the planet’s natural integrity via pollution. As the age of technological development progresses the demand for minimizing its detrimental effects on the health of planet and its inhabitants is also a major concern. Catalytic converters fall under the domain of clean and green energy production. Numerous studies have been conducted since the first official regulation on the usage of catalytic converter was implemented by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1975, on optimization of catalytic converters. This work aims to contribute to this very domain by studying the effect of geometric parameters on the performance of catalytic converter.

This work focuses on the design of catalytic converter using a combination of analytical and CAD techniques and analyzes the effects of varying design parameters on the flow plus heat and mass transfer performance of the catalytic converter. The design and analysis are performed using and opensource software called ‘Openfoam’. By making use of information available through previous studies in the field and coupling them with available experimental data an optimized design of catalytic converter is achieved with respect to its overall performance.

Different designs of catalytic converters are made by varying design parameters and simulations are run using CAE techniques. Fluid flow analysis is performed to analyze the effect of varying designs on pressure drop across the catalytic converter. Thermodynamic analysis gives us information about the temperature profile of catalytic converter. Mass transfer analysis gives us information about specie transfer inside catalytic converter. The results give information about which design parameters are optimum for the most performance efficient model of catalytic converter. By incorporating the results of this study most performance efficient models are proposed.

Project Objectives

1. To design a generic model of a catalytic converter.
2. To study the effects of varying geometric parameters on the performance of catalytic converter.
3. To make a suggestion on the optimum design of catalytic converter based on geometric parameters for improved performance.
4. To make a contribution in the field of Catalytic converters. Catalytic converters are a very relevant and practical component of many industries and have wide range of applications.
5. To employ the use of open source software for modelling and simulation of analysis of catalytic converter. The open source software Openfoam has not been used in any existing studies of catalytic converters.

Project Implementation Method

This work focuses on the design of catalytic converter using a combination of analytical and CAD techniques and analyzes the effects of varying design parameters on the flow plus heat and mass transfer performance of the catalytic converter. The design and analysis are performed using and opensource software called ‘Openfoam’. By making use of information available through previous studies in the field and coupling them with available experimental data an optimized design of catalytic converter is achieved with respect to its overall performance.

Different designs of catalytic converters are made by varying design parameters and simulations are run using CAE techniques. Fluid flow analysis is performed to analyze the effect of varying designs on pressure drop across the catalytic converter. Thermodynamic analysis gives us information about the temperature profile of catalytic converter. Mass transfer analysis gives us information about specie transfer inside catalytic converter. The results give information about which design parameters are optimum for the most performance efficient model of catalytic converter. By incorporating the results of this study most performance efficient models will be proposed.

Benefits of the Project

The world is moving towards clean and green energy and now more than ever is there a desire to save the planet. Work on technologies that are associated with green energy are of paramount interest presently, as they have been for the previous two decades. This study aims to contribute to the domain of green energy by providing insight into the performance of catalytic converters. Catalytic converters are still a developing and very relevant field in the industry. 

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

This study will give information about the performance (flow, heat and mass transfer) of catalytic converters. It will give a general trend of catalytic converter’s behavior in fluid flow domain, in temperature profile domain, as well as in mass transfer domain.

The study involves the following steps:

A model of catalytic converter is created based on engine parameters and is simulated under applied exhaust gas conditions to obtain results. Various copies of the model are created by varying the design parameters namely; length of substrate, inlet cone angle and inlet diameter of substrate. The different designs are again simulated under the same exhaust gas conditions and results are compared to determine under which geometric conditions the catalytic converter gives better performance. The general trend is determined for effect of varying geometric properties on performance of catalytic converter. Use of previously available experimental data was employed to determine fluid flow parameters of catalytic converter and no experiment was carried out during the study by the team themselves. Raw data sheets of available experimentation were used to determine properties of exhaust gas at the catalytic converter inlet.

All of the data pertaining to the aforementioned study will be compiled in the form of a final thesis report.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Software System

Core Industry

Petroleum

Other Industries

Transportation

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Climate Action

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com