The present invention provides a particulate filter for use in an emission treatment system of a gasoline engine, the filter having an inlet side and an outlet side, wherein at least the inlet side is loaded with a synthetic ash.

Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for a compression clamped exhaust catalyst which is incorporated into a marine exhaust header. A serviceable exhaust catalyst is compression clamped and sealed inside an enclosure associated with a marine exhaust system while still maintaining serviceability. The catalyst is seated on an inset bead or ring on the inside of the enclosure. A ring cooperates with the enclosure to clamp a mating exhaust pipe, with a gasket situated between the two. Other structures are provided to compress the catalyst in the enclosure as it is sealed. As seated, the exhaust catalyst is held into place with a compression fit to limit its longitudinal movement while still remaining accessible for servicing.

A catalytic converter, including a substrate formed of an open cell carbon foam having a geometric surface area of at least about 5000 m.sup.2/m.sup.3 and a permeability of at least about 8.0 darcys, wherein the carbon foam has catalytic metals incorporated thereinto.

A substrate for a catalytic converter, comprising an open cell carbon foam having a geometric surface area of at least about 5000 m.sup.2/m.sup.3 and a permeability of at least about 8.0 darcys, wherein the substrate has a catalytic material which includes non-noble metal nano-scale catalyst particles.

Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for a compression clamped exhaust catalyst which is incorporated into a marine exhaust header. A serviceable exhaust catalyst is compression clamped and sealed inside an enclosure associated with a marine exhaust system while still maintaining serviceability. The catalyst is seated on an inset bead or ring on the inside of the enclosure. A ring cooperates with the enclosure to clamp a mating exhaust pipe, with a gasket situated between the two. Other structures are provided to compress the catalyst in the enclosure as it is sealed. As seated, the exhaust catalyst is held into place with a compression fit to limit its longitudinal movement while still remaining accessible for servicing.

An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for a vehicle includes: a turbocharger having a turbine which rotates by exhaust gas flowing from an engine into an inlet of the turbine; a filter connected to an outlet of the turbine at an inlet of the filter and allowing the exhaust gas passing through the turbine to flow into the filter; and a gasket disposed between the outlet of the turbine and the inlet of the filter to maintain airtightness between the turbine and the filter. A portion of the gasket is exposed toward the turbine or the filter.

A catalytic reactor including: catalytic cassettes each including a catalyst part configured to reduce NOx in exhaust gas and an outer peripheral part made of a frame covering side surfaces of the catalyst part; and a lattice frame on which the catalytic cassettes are placed. The lattice frame includes a plurality of inflow holes through which exhaust gas flows into the catalyst parts and a plurality of frame parts which defines the respective plurality of inflow holes. The outer peripheral part of each of the catalytic cassettes is positioned so that the outer peripheral part is accommodated in a respective one of the frame parts.

A method for producing a gasoline engine exhaust gas system having a particulate filter includes using at least one spacer for positioning at least two components provided for the passage of exhaust gas from the engine. The spacer includes ash-forming constituents. The method then includes permanently connecting the components, and burning the spacer element during a first heating up of the exhaust gas system, thereby releasing the ash-forming constituents and depositing the ash-forming constituents on the particulate filter. An exhaust gas system of a gasoline engine also is provided in a state before a first heating up of the exhaust gas system. The exhaust gas system includes a burnable spacer element between two exhaust gas system components that are provided for the passage of exhaust gas. The burnable spacer elements include ash-forming constituents.

A system for assembling an exhaust after-treatment assembly having a plurality of exhaust after-treatment blocks is described. Each of the plurality of exhaust after-treatment blocks is disposed adjacent to at least one other exhaust after-treatment block. Each exhaust after-treatment block has one or more catalyst substrates. Each catalyst substrate includes a first face, a second face, and a plurality of side faces. The system includes at least one flange member to surround the one or more catalyst substrates about the side faces. The system further includes a locking arrangement including one or more clips on the flange member and a bracket member configured to engage with the one or more clips in the flange members of the adjacent exhaust after-treatment blocks.

A method for producing a gasoline engine exhaust gas system having a particulate filter includes using at least one spacer for positioning at least two components provided for the passage of exhaust gas from the engine. The spacer includes ash-forming constituents. The method then includes permanently connecting the components, and burning the spacer element during a first heating up of the exhaust gas system, thereby releasing the ash-forming constituents and depositing the ash-forming constituents on the particulate filter. An exhaust gas system of a gasoline engine also is provided in a state before a first heating up of the exhaust gas system. The exhaust gas system includes a burnable spacer element between two exhaust gas system components that are provided for the passage of exhaust gas. The burnable spacer elements include ash-forming constituents.