Managing temperature in an exhaust treatment system

Abstract

A method of controlling an exhaust treatment system includes sensing a temperature representative of a catalyst material temperature at start-up of a power source and comparing the sensed temperature to a threshold temperature. The method also includes igniting a regeneration device of the exhaust treatment system in response to the comparing. The regeneration device is disposed upstream of the catalyst material. The method further includes operating the regeneration device at a target temperature.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to an exhaust treatment system and, more particularly, to managing the temperature of one or more components of an exhaust treatment system with a regeneration device.BACKGROUND[0002]Internal combustion engines, including diesel engines, gasoline engines, natural gas engines, and other engines known in the art, may exhaust a complex mixture of air pollutants. The pollutants may be composed of gaseous compounds, which may include nitrous oxides (NOx), and solid particulate matter. Particulate matter may include soluble organic fraction, soot (unburned carbon), and / or unburned hydrocarbons.[0003]Due to increased attention on the environment, exhaust emission standards have become more stringent, and the amount of pollutants emitted to the atmosphere from an engine may be regulated depending on the type of engine, size of engine, and / or class of engine. One method that has been implemented by engine manufacturers to comply w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of reducing the emissions of an internal combustion engine includes igniting a regeneration device fluidly connected to the internal combustion engine and increasing the temperature of a catalyst material to a target temperature during a low exhaust temperature operation of the internal combustion engine. The method also includes maintaining the temperature of the catalyst material at the target temperature for a predetermined period of time.

Problems solved by technology

The lowered maximum combustion temperature and reduced oxygen concentration can slow the chemical reaction of the combustion process and decrease the formation of NOx.

At relatively low temperatures, however, such as, for example, during engine start-up or during a prolonged idling period, the catalyst materials may not be capable of oxidizing the particulate matter.

As a result, the amount of pollutants emitted by the system may exceed the maximum emissions limits set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency when the catalyst materials are at relatively low temperatures.

Such operating conditions may be characterized by an increase in the amount of whitesmoke exiting the system as well as an increase in the intensity and amount of unpleasant odors given off.

Although the filter system of the '436 patent may protect the engine from harmful particulate matter, the system may not be configured to improve the effectiveness of catalyst materials located in the system by actively increasing the temperature of the catalyst materials to a predetermined temperature within their peak conversion efficiency range.

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