SAAB goes for "Gas Bag" Technology

04/16/96

Swedish Car maker Saab has developed a new system aimed at eliminating dirty emissions on start up before the standard catalytic converter has reached operational temperature.

Plastic bags located above both rear wheel arches will store and recycle exhaust emissions and enable their current range of Ecopower engines to meet the tough new ULEV California requirements due to come into effect in the year 2000.

Tests currently being conducted in Sweden, using cars equipped with a 100-litre bag in the boot, have proved extremely effective. Emissions are collected for the first 25-30 seconds after start up, and then recycled back through the engine before passing through the Cat and out into the atmosphere.

The recirculation system, co-ordinated by the 32-bit trionic engine management computer, is also programmed to catch "Blips" in emissions that occur during gear changes. The bags made from polyvinyl fluoride laminate are capable of withstanding temperature s of -40 degrees to +130 C and are designed never to fill to bursting.

The system is hope to be introduced across the range in 1999 and is expected to add $150 to production costs.

Nicholas Frankl -- The Auto Channel