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	A wide range of air-to-fuel ratios is possible with the FOCAS system specially-designed burner.

FOCAS^® is a computer-controlled, gasoline-fueled burner system designed to simulate engine aging exhaust gas conditions. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) designed the system to accommodate full-sized catalyst systems and provide programmable aging cycles, allowing users to design and create aging cycles to meet various needs.

FOCAS Features

• Temperature control (600 to 1,000°C catalyst inlet)*

• Flow control (50–100 g/sec)

• Wide-range, closed-loop air/fuel ratio control (0.8 < λ < 1.3)

• Capable of continuous operation at stoichiometric air/fuel ratios

• Programmable secondary air injection control

• Full FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis) safety monitoring and response

• Ability to add oil component to aging

*Temperature range is a function of total flow.

Engine-Based vs. Burner-Based Aging

Aging cycles developed on engine benches have been used to accelerate the thermal effects of catalyst aging. With today's advanced emission solutions however, the catalysts are moving closer to the engine, resulting in increased operating temperatures that require increased total aging time. This increases both the cost of aging and the risk of part failure due to stand malfunction or lack of control.

The classical approach to catalyst aging has been to use an engine-based aging stand to generate the exhaust gas conditions. An alternative approach that could safely and efficiently reach higher temperatures could allow significant reductions in aging times and, therefore, aging expenditures.

The SwRI FOCAS catalyst aging system is a burner-based solution that allows the system to achieve operating temperatures of 1,000°C. Because FOCAS operates more efficiently than an engine-based system, aging costs can be reduced.

In an internal study, engineers conducted research on 6 catalysts, (3 on an engine stand, 3 on the burner). The results showed that FOCAS burner-based aging provides results equivalent to engine-based aging (SAE 2003-01-0633). The engine was configured to run a standardized aging cycle, and the FOCAS rig was programmed to run to the engine test cycle specifications. Aging was conducted using the same bed temperature, air/fuel ratios, and catalyst space velocity conditions in both systems.

Catalyst performance was measured at the beginning and end of the aging cycle and compared between the two methods. The results produced thermal aging results equivalent to the engine aging cycle.

FOCAS Advantages

• Ability to operate at higher temperatures

• Fewer moving parts for reduced mechanical wear

• Power fault protection for operation during thunderstorms

• Wide-range lambda operation and control window

• Operation with or without lubricating oil (optional oil system add-on)

For more information about the FOCAS catalyst aging system, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Cynthia Webb at cwebb@swri.org or (210) 522-5873, or by fax at (210) 522-3950.

focas.swri.org

| Engine and Vehicle R&D Department | Engine, Emissions & Vehicle Research Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

December 28, 2012