Radial flow catalytic converter

A catalytic converter which comprises:

• an enclosure means having a generally cylindrical shape;
• said enclosure means including inner and outer shells one positioned inside the other and spaced to provide an annular adiabatic space therebetween, said inner shell being constituted by first and second generally cylindrical shell sections, said outer shell being constituted by first and second longitudinal sections each having a generally semicircular cross-section, said first and second generally cylindrical shell sections being connected in end-to-end relationship to define said inner shell, said first and second longitudinal shell sections being connected together along edges extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the enclosure to define said outer shell, a perforated outer sleeve positioned inside the enclosure means with an outer chamber defined between the enclosure means and said perforated outer sleeve;
• a perforated inner sleeve positioned inside the perforated outer sleeve in coaxial relation thereto and defining an annular intermediate chamber between said perforated outer and inner sleeves and defining an inner chamber within said inner sleeve;
• a bed of catalyst material in said intermediate chamber;
• a first port means connected with said inner chamber;
• and a second port means connected with said outer chamber;
• said first and second port means respectively being constituted by first and second annular flange members, said first annular flange member having a central opening defined therein and communicating with said inner chamber, said second annular flange member having a central opening defined therein and communicating with the outer chamber, said first annular flange member further having at least one aperture extending completely through the thickness thereof and opening into said annular intermediate chamber for charging said catalyst material into the annular intermediate chamber through said aperture.