Increase of an exhaust gas temperature is important strategy which reduces a light off time of three way catalyst at the early stage of the cold start in SI engines. A proper control of engine variables is an effective way to improve emission performa...
Increase of an exhaust gas temperature is important strategy which reduces a light off time of three way catalyst at the early stage of the cold start in SI engines. A proper control of engine variables is an effective way to improve emission performance in these cold start operations. This study tried to increase exhaust gas temperature through the controls of engine operating conditions such as spark timing or valve overlap when catalyst heating function is activated. Experiments showed that retarded spark timing and increased valve overlap by virtue of VVT may be helpful to increase exhaust gas temperature. It was also found that the decrease of NOx emission was expected during maintaining combustion stability of the engine with increased valve overlap. This study also showed that sudden changes in ISA and amount of fuel due to the deactivation of catalyst heating function may cause temporal increase of harmful emissions.