Gaseous emissions treatment structures with electrohydrodynamic heat and mass transfer

摘要

A gaseous emissions treatment system has a ceramic substrate body with a plurality of cells for passage therethrough of exhaust gases. An emitter electrode for emitting free electrodes is mounted adjacent one end of the substrate body for intercepting the flowing exhaust gas. A collector electrode for collecting electrons is mounted adjacent the other end of the substrate body for intercepting the flowing exhaust gas. An energizing and control circuit is used to apply a high voltage between the emitter and collector to stimulate the generation of free electrons while avoiding electrical breakdown of the flowing exhaust gas. Molecules and particles in the flowing exhaust gas are ionized and are subjected to electrohyrdrodynamically (EHD) induced forces. The result of the EHD forces is to increase turbulence within the flowing gas which, in turn, increases mass and heat flow in the exhaust gas, thereby to increase reactivity of the gas and to increase heat transfer from the exhaust gas to walls of the ceramic substrate cells.