Method and system for improving detecting an empty catalyst housing

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing the presence or absence of a catalyst substrate within a catalyst can or housing. The methods and systems described a persistence of excitation metric that is a basis for judging whether or not the catalyst can is empty. If it is determined that the catalyst can or housing is empty, mitigating control actions may be performed via a controller.

Description

technical field [0001] The present application relates to methods and systems for determining whether a catalyst has been removed from a catalyst housing located in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. Background technique [0002] Catalysts can be incorporated into the exhaust system of internal combustion engines to convert hydrocarbons and NOx into CO 2 , N 2 and H 2 O. Catalysts may consist of a substrate and a coating attached to the substrate. After the catalyst reaches a threshold temperature, the exhaust gas flowing through the substrate can be converted to CO 2 , N 2 and H 2 O. The efficiency with which a catalyst converts exhaust gas may also depend on the past history of exhaust gas that has flowed through the catalyst and the current chemical state within the catalyst. Although many vehicle owners believe that converting exhaust into CO 2 , N 2 and H 2 O is a useful process and it is desirable to comply with government regulations, but s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, removal of catalyst substrates and coatings may violate government regulations and increase emissions of undesirable exhaust gases

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