74-4 DWP
     Evaluation of the Hydro-Catalyst
   Corporation Pre-Combustion Catalyst
              July 1973
Emission Control Technology Division
   Office of Air § Water Programs
  Environmental Protection Agency

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Background

Hydro-Catalyst Corporation of Colts Neck, New Jersey, contacted
the Office of Air Programs and requested an evaluation of their
pre-combustion catalyst.  Data was presented from Scott Labora-
tories compiled using a 1972 Cadillac Eldorado.  The results of
this testing illustrated good CO control with possible NOx re-
duction.  An evaluation of this device was initiated by the Test
and Evaluation Branch.

Device Description

The Hydro-Catalyst Corporation's pre-combustion catalyst consists
of a bowl-shaped, dual-screened element which is fixed in the
intake manifold.  The screen element is made of a pair of screens
of a planar configuration spaced about 1/16" apart.  One screen
is plated with cadmium and the other with nickel.  The element is
made as an integral part of the intake manifold/carburetor gasket
and is suspended in the flow stream at the intake manifold/car-
buretor interface.

According to the literature supplied with the device, a catalytic
effect on the air/fuel mixture was claimed to have caused and/or
initiated precursors that influenced combustion.  It was claimed
that this precursory effect lowered vehicle octane requirement
and allowed for more tolerance to lean carburetion thus affecting
a reduction in emissions.

Test Program

Three tests were conducted on a 1972 Cadillac Eldorado equipped
with this device, using the 1975 FTP.  A 5500-pound vehicle
inertia was simulated throughout testing.  Tests were conducted
with and without EGR, with a capacitive discharge ignition, and
with a standard coil.

Test Results

The emission results and carbon balance fuel consumption are
presented in the attached table.  The bag 1 and bag 2 data from
the 1975 FTP results were used to calculate 1972 FTP results.
This data shows no significant hydrocarbon or oxides of nitrogen
control when compared with typical certification results. Although
low levels of carbon monoxide were achieved during this testing
it should be noted that choke action was set-up to be very much
restrained.  Driveability was poor during the cold start portion
of testing.  Typically one to three false starts were observed
and accelerator pumping was required to keep the vehicle running
at idle under these conditions.

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Between the first two test runs and the last test run there
was a large change in NOx, carbon dioxide, and fuel consumption
levels.  This difference is attributed to tuning performed by
the Hydro-Catalyst Corporation's representative.  Tuning included
cleaning the EGR system and a change in EGR rate and replacement
of capacitive discharge ignition with a standard coil system.

Conclusions

1.  No significant control of hydrocarbons or oxides of nitrogen
was demonstrated by this device.

2.  The low levels of carbon monoxide achieved during this testing
were probably a function of choke setting.

3.  Minimal choke action led to poor cold start driveability.

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Table of Results
1975 Test Results
(grams per mile)
Test #
1
2
3
HC
2.09
2.47
3.03
CO
6.75
6.99
7.29
CO 2
891.07
936.60
750.92
NOx
3.84
2.79
5.81
1972 Test Results
(grams per mile)
Test #
1
2
3

HC
2.56
3.09
3.25
1.9
CO
8.91
8.63
8.84
19.0
co2
930.17
982.52
791.90
,-v.
NOx
4.05
2.96
5.90
2.4
                        MPG
                        9.72
Comment
No EGR
C.D.  Ign.
                        9.36   EGR,C.D. Ign,

                        11.48  EGR,Ign,coil
                        MPG

                        9.32
Comment

No EGR
C.D. Ign.
                        8.82   EGR, C.D. Ign.

                        10.87  EGR, Ign. coil

                        8.1    '73 cert.data

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                       Addendum

                   Test Report 74-4

             Evaluation of Hydro-Catalyst
          Corporation Pre-Combustion Catalyst
                       July 1973
     Subsequent to the evaluation of the pre-combustion
catalyst supplied by the Hydro^Catalyst Corporation,
routine calibration of the carbon dioxide instrumentation
revealed that the instrument was operating inadequately
during the evaluation.  As a result of this situation
the carbon dioxide levels and fuel economy reported
are considered to be in error.  This calibration problem
does not materially effect the conclusions or the other
emission data presented in the report.

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