Reagent refill and supply system for an SCR exhaust aftertreatment system

Abstract

An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust manifold, and a selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment system. The selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment system includes a reduction catalytic converter in communication with the exhaust manifold; a reagent holding tank in fluid communication with the reduction catalytic converter; and a reagent supply canister selectively and removably couplable with the reagent holding tank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to exhaust aftertreatment systems for use in internal combustion engines, and, more particularly, to such exhaust aftertreatment systems using selective catalytic reduction. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Increasingly stringent emissions control standards necessitate continually improved emissions from internal combustion (IC) engines used as motive power for vehicles. At present, the most significant of these emissions are sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and airborne particulate. [0005] NOx refers to the cumulative emissions of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and trace quantities of other species generated during combustion. NOx emissions are minimized using low NOx combustion technology and postcombustion techniques. If combustion modifications alone are insufficient, postcombustion techniques such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) syste...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] An advantage of the present invention is that the reagent can be quickly and easily replenished in a motor vehicle at periodic intervals as it is depleted from the reagent holding tank.

[0013] Another advantage is that the periodic interval can be a predetermined interval or can be a varying interval based upon a sensed reagent level in the holding tank.

[0014] Yet another advantage is that the reagent supply canister is sealed to the ambient environment and automatically opened upon coupling with the reagent holding tank to allow reagent refilling.

Problems solved by technology

This urea mixture supply solution may have logistics difficulties, however, with inadvertent spillage from the nozzle, the need to dedicate or retrofit a supply hose and nozzle at each fueling island, etc.

Images