Apparatus for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engines

Claim 1

Apparatus for treating exhaust gas of internal combustion engines to eliminate therefrom its toxic constituents, especially carbon monoxide, comprising an outer shell of substantially cylindrical configuration; an inner substantially cylindrical enclosure having a peripheral wall of a material of high conductive capacity arranged spaced from and substantially coaxial with said outer shell in the latter; inlet means for feeding only exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into said outer shell; passage means providing communication between the interior of the outer shell and the interior of said enclosure; means for heating the interior of said enclosure to a temperature so as to transform the toxic components of the exhaust gas fed thereinto into nontoxic components and to simultaneously preheat the exhaust gas in said outer shell through the heat conductive peripheral wall of said enclosure; means filling at least the space between said outer shell and said enclosure for providing a tortuous path for the exhaust gas passing therethrough; and outlet means communicating with the interior of said enclosure for discharging the treated exhaust gas therefrom.