72-21
      EVALUATION OF NASA
        THERMAL REACTOR
          April 1972
        Henry L. Gompf
  Test and Evaluation Branch
Environmental Protection Agency

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Background

     An automotive thermal reactor technology program is being
conducted by the NASA-Lewis Research Center.  This program was
initially funded as a joint effort between NAPCA and NASA. While
EPA financial support has been withdrawn a cooperative effort in
the form of emission test support continues.  The major effort
in the program has been one of materials development, but an
assessment of emissions control is a valuable input.  As part
of this program a NASA reactor-equipped vehicle was tested in
March 1972.

System Evaluated

     The NASA reactor was tested on a 1971 Ford pickup.  The
truck was equipped with a 302 CID engine and automatic transmission
The NASA ceramic reactor was attached to one bank of the vehicles'
eight cylinders.  The reactor was evaluated in two different
configurations:  with and without flame holders.  Testing at two
different idle mixture settings in each configuration was also
accomplished.

Test Program

     Emission testing was done in accordance with the November 10,
1970, and July 2, 1971, Federal Register.  Hot start 1972 FTP
and cold start 1975 FTP were employed.  All testing was performed
using Indolene Clear fuel, an unleaded gasoline.

Emission Results

     The emission results are presented in the Appendix of this
report.  None of the tests approach 1975 or 1976 required levels.
However, relatively low levels of hydrocarbon and oxides of
nitrogen were achieved.

Conclusions

     The emission test results indicate several shortcomings
of this reactor.

     1.  Reactor warmup time must be shortened.
     2.  Control of carbon monoxide is minimal.
     3.  The use of flame holders appears to be of little
         benefit in this design.

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                          APPENDIX
                     Cold Start 1975 FTP
                All Results in Grams Per Mile
             HC          CO        CO?        NOx        Date

With Flame
Holder §
Lean Idle    1.70        69.0      746.4      1.8        4-6-72

Without
Flame Holder
§ Rich Idle  1.60        70.0      786.6      1.9        4=7-72
                     Hot SlctiL 1972 fif
                All Results in Grams Per Mile
             HC_          CO        Cp_2        NOx

With Flame
Holder §  »
Rich Idle     .5.2        39.1      831.8      1.6        4-5-72

With Flame                                   '
Holder §
Lean Idle    1.10        53.3      736.9      1.8        4-6-72

Without
Flame Holder
$ Rich Idle  1.02        55.3      787.5      1.8        4-7-72

Without Flame
Holder $
Lean Idle     .22        21.7      737.1      1.7        4-7-72

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