Abstract:
One aspect of the invention relates to a particulate filter useful in treating exhaust from a diesel-power vehicle. The particulate filter comprises filter elements for removing particulate matter and an ammonia SCR catalyst. Ammonia can be produced during regeneration of an NOx adsorbant. The adsorbant can be contained in a separate device upstream of the particulate filter or be incorporated within the particulate filter. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of cleaning exhaust comprising passing the exhaust over an NOx adsorber to adsorb a portion of NOx from the exhaust; passing the exhaust through a particulate filter to remove particulate matter from the exhaust; and removing a further portion of NOx from the exhaust by reducing it with ammonia over an ammonia SCR catalyst. Preferably, a catalyst contained within the adsorbant provides NO2 for continuously regenerating the particulate filter.
Abstract:
One aspect of the invention relates to an exhaust treatment apparatus having an NOx reduction system comprising first and second catalyst beds in series with associated first and second ammonia injectors. The first catalyst bed with its associated ammonia injector preferably targets removing only about 80 to about 95% percent of the NOx in the vehicle exhaust. The second catalyst bed with its associated injector preferably target removing about 70 to about 100% of the remaining NOx. Staging the reduction system in this manner improves control over NOx reduction and reduces the risk of ammonia slip. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of treating vehicle exhaust to remove NOx and an SCR reactor comprising a housing having an entrance port, an exit port, and an ammonia injection port, wherein the injection port is configured to inject ammonia in between SCR catalyst beds contained in the housing.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an exemplary valve having a first valve member that may include at least one orifice, and which is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a second valve member that includes at least one orifice, and which is moveable relative to the first valve member between a first position, in which the at least one orifice of the second valve member is fluidly disconnected from the at least one orifice of the first valve member, and a second position, in which the at least one orifice of the second valve member is fluidly connected to the at least one orifice of the first valve member. The exemplary valve may also include first and second actuators for moving the first and second valve members between their respective first and second positions.
Abstract:
One aspect of the invention relates to an exhaust treatment apparatus having an NOx reduction system comprising first and second catalyst beds in series with associated first and second ammonia injectors. The first catalyst bed with its associated ammonia injector preferably targets removing only about 80 to about 95% percent of the NOx in the vehicle exhaust. The second catalyst bed with its associated injector preferably target removing about 70 to about 100% of the remaining NOx. Staging the reduction system in this manner improves control over NOx reduction and reduces the risk of ammonia slip. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of treating vehicle exhaust to remove NOx and an SCR reactor comprising a housing having an entrance port, an exit port, and an ammonia injection port, wherein the injection port is configured to inject ammonia in between SCR catalyst beds contained in the housing.
Abstract:
A method is provided for regenerating a LNT in a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system. Typically, the aftertreatment system comprises a fuel reformer, a LNT, and a SCR catalyst in that order. Over the course of the regeneration, the concentration or flow rate of syn gas is increased, peaked, and then reduced. Preferably, the syn gas concentration or flow rate and the fuel reformer temperature are simultaneously controlled using at least a fuel injector and an engine intake air throttle. The pattern of increasing the syn gas concentration or flow rate during a first part of the regeneration and decreasing the syn gas concentration of flow rate in a latter part of the regeneration reduces the fuel penalty for the regeneration and improves the ammonia production rate as compared to a system in which the syn gas concentration or flow rate is essentially constant throughout the regeneration.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a power generation system with a continuously operating fuel reformer. Preferably, the fuel reformer is either off, warming up, or operating with an essentially constant fueling rate. Some of the reformed fuel is intermittently used to regenerate a NOx trap that treats the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. Any reformed fuel not used for other purposes is supplied to a fuel cell. The fuel reformer does not shut down between NOx trap regeneration cycles except when the engine is also shut down. The invention substantially eliminates issues of reformer response time as they relate to NOx trap regeneration.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an exemplary valve having a first valve member that may include at least one orifice, and which is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a second valve member that includes at least one orifice, and which is moveable relative to the first valve member between a first position, in which the at least one orifice of the second valve member is fluidly disconnected from the at least one orifice of the first valve member, and a second position, in which the at least one orifice of the second valve member is fluidly connected to the at least one orifice of the first valve member. The exemplary valve may also include first and second actuators for moving the first and second valve members between their respective first and second positions.
Abstract:
A solenoid drive circuit includes a boost energy storage device, such as a capacitor, that captures energy from and discharges energy to a solenoid. Switches control the connection between the boost device, the solenoid, and a power source. This allows the solenoid response time to be variable based on the characteristics of the boost device as well as the solenoid. By providing two different solenoid current rise and decay rates and by capturing and re-using energy stored in the solenoid, the inventive drive circuit enhances solenoid response and increases efficiency.
Abstract:
One aspect of the invention relates to controlling the ammonia feed rate to an SCR reactor using a NOx sensor cross-sensitive to ammonia. The sensor, positioned downstream of the reactor, is interrogated by introducing a pulse in the ammonia feed rate. A positive response to a positive pulse indicates ammonia slip. A negative response to a positive pulse indicates NOx breakthrough. Another aspect of the invention related to a combination of feed-back and feed-forward control. Upon detecting ammonia slip, the controller enters into an ammonia slip recovery mode in which the ammonia feed rate is reduced for a period to restore the reactor's ammonia or NOx buffering capacity. After the recovery period, feed-forward control is restored, optionally with an updated control objective. A further aspect of the invention relates to a learning probabilistic model for feed-forward control trained according to the occurrence or non-occurrence of NOx breakthrough and ammonia slip.
Abstract:
A control (60) for an EGR valve (24) including an actuator (16) for moving the EGR valve (24) between a closed position and an open position, and a position sensor (48) for detecting the position of the EGR valve (24) and generating a position output signal. A processing circuit (70,72) receives the position output signal and transmits electrical control signals to energize the actuator (16) and move the EGR valve (24). Control logic is implemented whereby, when the EGR valve (24) is moving towards the closed position, the processing circuit (70,72) transmits first electrical control signals for energizing the actuator (16) in a first predetermined manner when the position output signal indicates that the EGR valve (24) is at least a predetermined distance away from the closed position. When the position output signal indicates that the EGR valve (24) is less than the predetermined distance away from the closed position, the processing circuit (70,72) transmits second electrical control signals for energizing the actuator (16) in a second predetermined manner.