Continental is set to reveal a new addition to its 48V mild hybrid system in the form of a fuel-saving electrically heated catalyst.
The new system reduces catalyst light-off time for both gasoline and diesel engines, reducing cold-start emissions and enabling the hybrid system to introduce fuel-saving strategies sooner into journeys.
The heating system, called EMICAT, also supports more extensive use of strategies such as coasting with the engine switched off. Continental says that the rapid electrical heating of the catalytically coated structure brings the catalyst up to operating temperature almost as soon as the driver presses the gas pedal again.
“The electrically heated catalyst for 48V electrical systems allows highly efficient operating strategies to be implemented for the internal combustion engine while at the same time supporting compliance with emissions standards in day-to-day operation,” says José Avila, president of Continental’s powertrain division.
The electricity used to power the EMICAT’s heating disc comes from energy recuperation, meaning there is no longer any need for engine-based catalyst heating. The catalyst’s faster light-off time means that it is possible to shut down the engine sooner and more frequently – for enhanced stop/start functionality. Continental says that this enables the EMICAT to offer fuel savings of between 3% and 4% in conjunction with a 48V hybrid system.
September 15, 2015