Exhaust gas aftertreatment systems

Abstract

A method is presented for determining an amount of reductant stored in the catalyst by intrusively desorbing a portion of reductant and monitoring the response of an reductant sensor to the desorbed portion. The desorbtion can be performed at vehicle start-up to determine initial storage amount and to adjust reductant injection accordingly to achieve optimum storage. Additionally, a portion of reductant can be desorbed when NOx conversion efficiency of the catalyst is reduced in order to diagnose the component responsible for system degradation.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an emission control system for diesel and other lean-burn vehicles, and more specifically, to determining an amount of reductant stored in a NOx-reducing catalyst. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] Current emission control regulations necessitate the use of catalysts in the exhaust systems of automotive vehicles in order to convert carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced during engine operation into unregulated exhaust gasses. Vehicles equipped with diesel or other lean burn engines offer the benefit of increased fuel economy, however, catalytic reduction of NOx emissions via conventional means in such systems is difficult due to the high content of oxygen in the exhaust gas. [0003] In this regard, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalysts, in which NOx is continuously removed through active injection of a reductant into the exhaust gas mixture entering the catalyst, are k...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] An advantage of the present invention is improved emission control. Another advantage of the present invention is improved vehicle diagnostic capabilities.

Problems solved by technology

Vehicles equipped with diesel or other lean burn engines offer the benefit of increased fuel economy, however, catalytic reduction of NOx emissions via conventional means in such systems is difficult due to the high content of oxygen in the exhaust gas.

However, if the amount of ammonia stored in the catalyst is too high, some of it may desorb and slip from the catalyst.

Additionally, in the presence of high temperatures, excessive ammonia storage will lead to excessive NOx via oxidation.

All of this will lead to a reduction in the overall NOx conversion efficiency.

The inventors herein have recognized a disadvantage with such an approach.

Ammonia slip is usually a result of temperature transients or excessive storage.

Slip due to excessive storage will be impossible to rectify expediently via any control action.

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