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This paper describes a systematic, physics-based approach in deriving engine performance requirements for a Diesel cold-start catalyst warmup strategy that would satisfy low NOx regulations. These requirements are valid for both conventional and hybrid vehicles. The requirements are driven by an understanding of catalyst and engine behavior. The paper defines a metric that can be used to design and evaluate the performance of technologies, controls and calibration strategies. Optimization strategies based on this metric are proposed. Some examples of the optimization are highlighted.

Oxygen storage capacity (OSC) is one of the most critical characteristics of a three-way catalyst (TWC) and is closely related to the catalyst aging and performance. In this study, a dynamic OSC model involving two oxygen storage sites with distinct kinetics was developed. The dual-site OSC model was validated on a bench reactor and a natural gas engine. The model was capable of predicting temperature dependence on OSC with H2, CO and CH4 as reductants. Also, the effects of oxygen concentration and space velocity on the amount of OSC were captured by the model. The validated OSC model was applied to simulate lean breakthrough phenomena with varied space velocities and oxygen concentrations. It is found that OSC during lean breakthrough is not a constant for a particular TWC catalyst and is dependent on space velocity and oxygen concentration. Specifically, breakthrough time exhibits a non-linear, inverse correlation to oxygen flux.