Honeycomb Structure Radial Electrode Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional honeycomb structures for exhaust gas treatment face inefficiencies in temperature distribution due to electric current flowing in the shortest path between electrodes, leading to insufficient heating at the radial center, which reduces catalyst activation and exhaust gas conversion performance.
Innovation Solution
A honeycomb structure with a substantially circular-pillar shape, featuring a metal bar at its radial center and electrodes on the exterior surface and near the central axis, allowing electric current to flow radially and ensuring uniform heating across the structure, thereby activating the catalyst more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrodes are provided only on the end faces of the honeycomb structure, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but electric current flows in the shortest path causing insufficient heating at the radial center
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode configuration is segmented into multiple types: first electrodes on the end faces and second electrodes on the outer circumferential surface. This segmentation allows current to be supplied from multiple locations, ensuring uniform heating throughout the honeycomb structure including the radial center area.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode arrangement transitions from a one-dimensional end-face configuration to a multi-dimensional configuration by adding electrodes on the outer circumferential surface. This dimensional expansion enables current to flow radially through the honeycomb structure, eliminating the shortest-path bias and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.
2Power
If electric current is supplied via electrodes on the end faces, then the heating effect is concentrated near the electrodes, but the catalyst activation is insufficient at the radial center
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the honeycomb structure are provided with different electrode configurations tailored to their specific heating needs. The outer circumferential surface receives second electrodes to enhance radial center heating, while end faces retain first electrodes for overall current supply. This local differentiation ensures reliable catalyst activation throughout the entire structure.
3Device complexity
If the honeycomb structure uses conventional electrode placement, then the device complexity is low, but the exhaust gas conversion performance is reduced due to poor catalyst activation
Solution Approach 1:
The honeycomb structure integrates multiple functions through its electrode configuration: the first electrodes on end faces provide overall current supply, while the second electrodes on the outer circumferential surface specifically enhance radial center heating. This multi-functional electrode system simultaneously achieves uniform heating, reliable catalyst activation, and high exhaust gas conversion performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables uniform heating of the entire honeycomb structure, ensuring full catalyst activation and enhanced exhaust gas conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
uses a honeycomb structure of a relatively low resistance and supplies the honeycomb structure with electric current via electrodes for voltage application provided on the honeycomb structure, thereby causing the honeycomb structure to perform self-heating
Data Source
AI summary
A honeycomb structure has a substantially circular-pillar-shape. The honeycomb structure includes at least one electrically conductive honeycomb unit, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The at least one electrically conductive honeycomb unit includes walls extending along a longitudinal direction of the at least one electrically conductive honeycomb unit to define a plurality of through holes. The first electrode is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the honeycomb structure. The second electrode is provided in a vicinity of a central axis of the honeycomb structure extending along the longitudinal direction.