A system and method for heating a vehicle catalytic converter

A system for heating a catalytic converter comprises a catalytic converter (30, fig 2) disposed in an exhaust passage (20, fig 2) for the flow of exhaust gas from an engine of a vehicle. A heat exchanger (40, fig 2) is in thermal communication with the exhaust passage. A flow passage (50, fig 2) at least partially surrounds the catalytic converter and is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger. A heat transfer fluid (68, fig 2) disposed within the passage flows in a cycle around the heat exchanger and the catalytic converter, transferring heat from the heat exchanger to the catalytic converter. A cooling system 400 comprises a further heat exchanger 414 in thermal communication with the flow passage. A further flow passage 402 is in thermal communication with the further heat exchanger and a cooling means 406. A further heat transfer fluid 404 disposed within the further flow passage flows in a cycle around the further heat exchanger and the cooling means, transferring heat from the heat exchanger to the cooling means.