Experimental Investigation to Reduce Environmental Pollution from an Automobile Using Thermal Reactor

In this investigation, an attempt is made to study the pollution from spark ignition engine of automobiles using thermal reactor. The thermal reactor is one such device, in which unburned HC and CO from engine are oxidized into CO₂ and H₂O in the presence of air at high temperatures. The heat derived from the chemical oxidation plus the sensible heat from the exhaust, are required to sustain sufficient temperatures. In order to provide sufficient time for oxidation reaction to take place, exhaust gases and the air should mix well and stay long enough inside the reactor. It is seen that there is a significant reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons at idling condition and part throttle conditions with heated air injection in cold start period.