Apparatus and Method for NOx Reduction

Abstract

Apparatus and method for NOx reduction. A reducing catalyst is provided on a monolith or other suitable catalytic converter element. A multi-mode fuel processor of liquid hydrocarbon fuel is capable of delivering a required quantity and composition of a reducing agent while operating in a desired sequence of the following modes: partial oxidation, incomplete pyrolysis, evaporation, combustion, and atomization. Temperature sensors detect the catalyst temperature and means are provided to introduce the reducing agent into the exhaust stream at a rate correlated to the measured temperature. Means also provided to implement a predetermined control algorithm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of emission control devices for internal combustion engines, especially diesel engines and lean burn gasoline engines.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]NOx emissions from vehicles with internal combustion engines are an environmental problem recognized worldwide, Many countries, including the United States, are introducing ever-tightening regulations that limit NOx emissions from vehicles.[0003]Manufacturers and researchers have put considerable effort toward meeting those regulations. In conventional gasoline powered vehicles that use stoichiometric fuel-air mixtures, three-way catalysts have been shown to control NOx emissions. In diesel powered vehicles and vehicles with lean-burn gasoline engines, however, the exhaust is too oxygen-rich for three-way catalysts to be effective.[0004]Several solutions have been proposed for controlling NOx emissions from diesel powered vehicles and lean-burn gasoline engines. On...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030]Additional aspects of the invention relate to control of an exhaust treatment system. One aspect of the control strategy provides for maintaining catalyst temperature within a predetermined range to offer, in particular, improvements in emission control during start-up of diesel engines and thus offer the potential to control emissions to meet expected future regulations.

Problems solved by technology

NOx emissions from vehicles with internal combustion engines are an environmental problem recognized worldwide, Many countries, including the United States, are introducing ever-tightening regulations that limit NOx emissions from vehicles.

Manufacturers and researchers have put considerable effort toward meeting those regulations.

In diesel powered vehicles and vehicles with lean-burn gasoline engines, however, the exhaust is too oxygen-rich for three-way catalysts to be effective.

These techniques alone, however, do not eliminate NOx emissions.

However, NOx reduction efficiency of a typical LNT is lower than that of an SCR system.

Moreover, LNTs are prone to sulfur poisoning that further reduces their effectiveness.

Additionally, constant regeneration of LNTs leads to thermal aging that results in a significant drop of an already low NOx reduction efficiency.

Apart from increasing the system cost, such a method requires the use of at least one exhaust valve.

Experience with similar EGR valves suggests durability and reliability present substantial challenges for such valves.

SCR can achieve NOx reductions in excess of 90%, however, there is concern over the lack of infrastructure for distributing ammonia / urea or a suitable precursor.

Such a change in driver habits is difficult to enforce and, therefore, it leads to a serious compliance issue.

None of these SCR systems that use alternative reductants can match the NOx reduction efficiency of SCR based on urea / ammonia.

Also, the use of hydrocarbons is associated with high fuel penalties.

Moreover, the use of hydrocarbons for an SCR process could result in soot and sulfur deposition on a hot catalyst surface that would lead to a gradual decrease of catalytic activity.

There are no known catalysts that can selectively reduce NOx to N2 using a gas mixture based on hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

High concentration of hydrogen could also generate excessive amount of heat on a catalytic surface and eventually cause sintering and melting of the catalyst.

More importantly, although the patent '958 fully describes an LNT application, it does not teach how to use that invention for an SCR application, nor does it disclose any specific control strategy.

SCR requires a much more complex and precise control than LNT.

Unfortunately diesel exhaust temperatures are often lower than those required for good catalyst efficiency (i.e., below “light-off” level).

However, the use of an electric heater for such a purpose leads to significant electric power consumption.

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