Constituents of engine exhaust

A reactor for the oxidation and combustion of carbon soot particles, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and for the dissociation of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides in engine exhaust containing oxygen, said reactor comprising a metal casing containing:

• a central reaction zone where exothermal oxidation and combustion of engine exhaust and formation of decomposition products occurs, such oxidation and combustion being sustained by heat of the exhaust and heat released in exothermal oxidation and combustion of the exhaust;
• an inlet pipe that introduces engine exhaust into the central reaction zone;
• a porous heat-retaining zone defining laterally the central reaction zone, the porous heat-retaining zone allowing passage of engine exhaust and decomposition products;
• an impervious insulating plate bordering the central reaction zone opposite to said inlet pipe;
• porous heat-retaining cells in the central reaction zone adjacent to said impervious insulating plate for deposit and combustion of soot particles, the porous heat-retaining cell occupying only part of the central reaction zone, impinging heat transfer occurring where the soot particles are deposited;
• insulating means adjacent to and external to the porous heat-retaining zone for minimizing energy losses from the porous heat-retaining zone;
• a metal net mesh adjacent to the impervious insulating plate, the porous heat-retaining zone, and the insulating means, that allows passage of engine exhaust and decomposition products;
• the metal casing being penetrated by the inlet pipe and a metal outlet pipe, and the metal casing being shaped to allow space between the metal net mesh and the outlet pipe.