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	The computer-controlled gas-blending system provides low-cost and high-flexibility gas mixtures to simulate real-world gas streams.

The Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor^® (USGR^®) was developed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to test the performance of small-core catalysts. The USGR is used to evaluate the performance of catalyst technologies in several applications, including:

• Three-way catalyst (TWC)

• Lean NO_x trap (LNT)

• Selective catalyst reduction (SCR)

• Oxidation catalyst

• Fuel cell and reforming catalyst

• Sulfur trap

• Selective noncatalyst reduction (SNCR)

Range of Analyzers Used

To provide real-time, second-by-second data, a range of analyzers is used, including:

• O₂

  	Typical stoichiometric perturbated light-off results for a three-way catalyst.

• CO

• CO₂

• Total hydrocarbons

   (HC)

• NO_x

• Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for real-time measurement of gas components such as:

  • NH₃

  • NO/NO₂/N₂O/NO_x

  • H₂O

  • CO/CO₂

  • HC Species

  • SO₂

Typical temperature sweep results for an SCR catalyst.		Typical FTIR output for an LNT catalyst test.

Results Obtained Using the Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor

	The USGR system can blend synthetic gas mixtures, control a wide range of catalyst inlet temperatures and flow rates, and test a variety of catalysts with different operating modes.

As a screening tool for catalyst formulations, the USGR can identify the best overall performance for the most desirable conditions. Durability concerns can be determined with aged catalysts. Precise test results are achieved rapidly and cost effectively. Test conditions can be set up to simulate engine exhaust conditions for fuels including:

• Gasoline

• Diesel

• Compressed natural gas (CNG)

• Liquid petroleum gas (LPG)

For more information about our Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Gordon Bartley, Ph.D., at gbartley@swri.org or (210) 522-5871.

usgr.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