Internal combustion engine systems including standard pollutant reduction

Abstract

A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes burning a mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to form exhaust gas, allowing the exhaust gas to exit the combustion chamber, performing a start-up procedure, the start-up procedure including transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a storage unit, capturing standard pollutants of the exhaust gas with the storage unit, transferring the exhaust gas from the storage unit to an aftertreatment system, heating the aftertreatment system to an activation temperature with the exhaust gas from the storage unit, and after heating the aftertreatment system to the activation temperature, performing an auxiliary procedure, the auxiliary procedure including transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the aftertreatment system to form treated exhaust gas, and transferring the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. application serial number 16 / 733,928, filed on January 3, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engine systems and, more particularly, to internal combustion engine systems including features for mitigating criteria pollutant emissions. Technical Background

[0006] Petroleum-based fuels are used to power the vast majority of vehicles. For example, gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas are relatively cheap and widely available to users, and are used to power internal combustion engines in vehicles around the world. However, the combustion of petroleum-based fuels may emit pollutants into the environment, which may be undesirable for many reasons. In addition, some pollutants emitted by the combustion of petroleum-based fuels are designated as "criteria pollutants" and are subject to regulations in various jurisdictions. Since other cleaner energy sources used with transportation vehicles may be too expensive and underdeveloped, there is a need for internal combustion engines that can operate with reduced emissions of standard pollutants. Summary of the invention

[0007] One strategy for reducing emissions of standard pollutants includes utilizing an aftertreatment system. For example, some aftertreatment systems may include one or more catalysts that react with standard pollutants to reduce undesirable emissions. However, the effectiveness of the catalyst may depend, at least in part, on the temperature of the catalyst, and the catalyst may need to reach operating temperature to effectively react with the standard pollutants. Under some operating conditions, such as during engine startup, the catalyst of the aftertreatment system may be below operating temperature, and the performance of the aftertreatment system may be reduced, resulting in increased emissions of standard pollutants.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an improved internal combustion engine system that reduces emissions of standard pollutants. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an internal combustion engine system that includes an aftertreatment system and a storage unit that is structurally configured to capture one or more standard pollutants. During a startup procedure, exhaust gas is preferentially directed to the storage unit before being delivered to the aftertreatment system. When the aftertreatment system is heated to an operating temperature, the storage unit captures the standard pollutants, and in this way, emissions of standard pollutants during startup conditions can be minimized.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method for operating an internal combustion engine includes burning a mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to form exhaust gas, allowing the exhaust gas to exit the combustion chamber, performing a startup procedure, the startup procedure including transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a storage unit, capturing standard pollutants of the exhaust gas with the storage unit, transferring the exhaust gas from the storage unit to an aftertreatment system, heating the aftertreatment system to an activation temperature with the exhaust gas from the storage unit, and after heating the aftertreatment system to the activation temperature, performing an auxiliary procedure, the auxiliary procedure including transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the aftertreatment system, allowing the standard pollutants of the exhaust gas to react with the aftertreatment system to form treated exhaust gas, wherein the treated exhaust gas includes fewer standard pollutants than the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber, and transferring the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit.

[0010] In another embodiment, an internal combustion engine system includes a combustion chamber, a storage unit selectively connected to the combustion chamber, an aftertreatment system selectively connected to the combustion chamber and to the storage unit, an aftertreatment-storage unit valve located between the combustion chamber and the storage unit and between the combustion chamber and the aftertreatment system, and a controller communicatively coupled to the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, wherein the storage unit is structurally configured to capture one or more standard pollutants in gas passing through the storage unit, the aftertreatment system is structurally configured to react with one or more standard pollutants in gas passing through the aftertreatment system, and the aftertreatment-storage unit valve is reversible between a storage position and an aftertreatment position. positioning, in which the combustion chamber and the storage unit are in communication with each other through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, in which the combustion chamber is in communication with the aftertreatment system through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, the controller comprising a processor and a computer-readable and executable instruction set, which, when executed, causes the processor to execute a startup procedure and execute an auxiliary procedure, the startup procedure comprising directing the aftertreatment-storage unit valve to the storage position, thereby directing exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit, and the auxiliary procedure comprising directing the aftertreatment-storage unit valve to move to the aftertreatment position, thereby directing the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the aftertreatment system.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, a method for operating an internal combustion engine system includes burning a mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to form exhaust gas; performing an auxiliary procedure, the auxiliary procedure including transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a post-treatment system; causing the exhaust gas to react in the post-treatment system to form treated exhaust gas, wherein the treated exhaust gas includes fewer standard pollutants than the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber; transferring the treated exhaust gas to a storage unit; after performing the auxiliary procedure, performing a regeneration procedure, the regeneration procedure including transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit; heating the storage unit with the exhaust gas to above a release temperature to release the stored standard pollutants from the storage unit; transferring the released standard pollutants from the storage unit to the post-treatment system; and causing the released standard pollutants to react with the post-treatment system.

[0012] Additional features and advantages of the technology disclosed in the present disclosure will be set forth in the following detailed description, and some features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or will be recognized by practicing the technology described in the present disclosure, including the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure may be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like structures are represented by like reference numerals, and in which:

[0014] Figure 1 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of an internal combustion engine of an internal combustion engine system according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0015] Figure 2 Schematically depicts a schematic diagram of a device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. Figure 1 Aftertreatment systems and storage units for internal combustion engine systems;

[0016] Figure 3 Schematically illustrates a system in a startup or regeneration sequence according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. Figure 1 Internal combustion engine system;

[0017] Figure 4 Schematically depicts an example of a method for performing an auxiliary procedure according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. Figure 1 Internal combustion engine system;

[0018] Figure 5 schematically depicts an internal combustion engine system including a waste heat recovery unit according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

[0019] Figure 6 A control diagram for an internal combustion engine system is schematically depicted, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

[0020] Reference will now be made in more detail to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Embodiments described herein generally relate to internal combustion engine systems and methods of operating internal combustion engine systems that reduce the emission of standard pollutants. In the embodiments described herein, the internal combustion engine system includes an aftertreatment system and a storage unit selectively connected to a combustion chamber. During startup conditions, exhaust gas is directed to the storage unit, and the storage unit captures standard pollutants from the exhaust gas when the aftertreatment system is heated to an activation temperature. Once the aftertreatment system is heated to the activation temperature, exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is directed through the aftertreatment system, which reacts with the standard pollutants in the exhaust gas. By preferentially directing exhaust gas to the storage unit during startup, standard pollutants that would otherwise be emitted from the internal combustion engine into the environment when the aftertreatment system is heated to the activation temperature are captured. These and other embodiments of internal combustion engine systems that reduce emission of standard pollutants are disclosed herein in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Reference now Figure 1 , schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of an internal combustion engine 102 of an internal combustion engine system 100. The internal combustion engine 102 generally includes a cylinder head 104 engaged with a cylinder block, the cylinder block defining one or more sidewalls 106 engaged with the cylinder head 104. In an embodiment, a piston 124 engages with the one or more sidewalls 106, and the piston 124, the cylinder head 104, and the one or more sidewalls 106 at least partially define a combustion chamber 122 in which fuel is combusted. In an embodiment, for example, the piston 124 can move along the one or more sidewalls 106 when fuel is combusted in the combustion chamber 122.

[0023] In an embodiment, the piston 124 is coupled to a crankshaft 125. For example, in Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 124 is coupled to the crankshaft 125 via a connecting rod, and in operation, the linear motion of the piston 124 along the one or more sidewalls 106 is converted into the rotational motion of the crankshaft 125. In embodiments where the internal combustion engine 102 is an engine of a vehicle, the rotational motion of the crankshaft 125 can drive one or more wheels of the vehicle to provide mobility to the vehicle. In some embodiments, such as embodiments where the internal combustion engine 102 is part of a power generation system, the crankshaft 125 can drive a generator that produces electrical current.

[0024] In an embodiment, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes an intake valve 112 and an exhaust valve 116. The intake valve 112 and the exhaust valve 116 are each repositionable between an open position and a closed position, and can be moved between the open position and the closed position by any suitable device (such as, but not limited to, a camshaft, etc.). Through the selective movement of the intake valve 112, the combustion chamber 122 is selectively connected to the engine intake port 110. In an embodiment, the engine intake port 110 can be an intake manifold, etc., and intake air (e.g., air) is delivered to the combustion chamber 122 through the engine intake port 110. In some embodiments, pressurized gas can be provided to the engine intake port 110, for example, by a turbocharger or a supercharger, however, in some embodiments, the intake air provided to the engine intake port 110 is provided at ambient pressure.

[0025] The combustion chamber 122 is selectively connected to the engine exhaust port 114 through the selective movement of the exhaust valve 116. In some embodiments, the engine exhaust port 114 may be an exhaust manifold, etc., through which exhaust gas (e.g., combustion byproducts from the combustion chamber 122) is transmitted after the fuel is burned in the combustion chamber 122. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes a single intake valve 112 and a single exhaust valve 116 in communication with the combustion chamber 122 , but it should be understood that this is merely an example and the embodiments described herein may include any suitable number of intake valves and exhaust valves in communication with the combustion chamber 122 .

[0026] In an embodiment, the internal combustion engine 102 includes a fuel injector 118 and an ignition device 120 in communication with the combustion chamber 122. The fuel injector 118 typically delivers fuel, such as gasoline, into the combustion chamber 122. In an embodiment, the fuel injector 118 may include a multi-hole injector, a hollow cone injector, a piezoelectric or solenoid-driven fuel injector, and the like.

[0027] The ignition device 120 may include a spark plug or the like, which is operable to ignite or assist in igniting the fuel in the combustion chamber 122. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the internal combustion engine 102 includes the ignition device 120, but it should be understood that this is merely an example. For example, in some embodiments, the internal combustion engine 102 may be a spark ignition engine, and the ignition device 120 may ignite a fuel such as gasoline within the combustion chamber 122. However, in some embodiments, the internal combustion engine 102 may be a compression ignition engine, which may or may not include an ignition device, and may operate using a fuel such as gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, etc.

[0028] Although in Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shown schematically depicts a single combustion chamber 122, but it should be understood that the internal combustion engine 102 may include any suitable number of combustion chambers 122. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the internal combustion engine 102 includes the fuel injector 118 in direct communication with the combustion chamber 122 , but it will be appreciated that this is merely an example and fuel may be delivered to the combustion chamber 122 indirectly, such as via the engine air intake 110 .

[0029] refer to Figure 2 , depicts a schematic diagram of the internal combustion engine system 100. In an embodiment, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes a post-treatment system 150 and a storage unit 152 selectively connected to the internal combustion engine 102.

[0030] In an embodiment, the aftertreatment system 150 is structurally configured to react with one or more standard pollutants in a gas (e.g., exhaust) passing through the aftertreatment system 150. In particular, the aftertreatment system 150 includes one or more catalysts that react with one or more standard pollutants to chemically convert the standard pollutants into components that are not designated as standard pollutants. As used herein, the term "standard pollutants" includes pollutants that may be regulated by one or more jurisdictions and include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and / or at least one of unburned hydrocarbons (HC).

[0031] In some embodiments, such as embodiments where the internal combustion engine 102 is a spark ignition engine, the aftertreatment system 150 may include a structure configured to react with CO, NO x A three-way catalyst that reacts with HC. For example, the three-way catalyst can convert CO into carbon dioxide (CO2) and NO xIn some embodiments, for example, in embodiments where the internal combustion engine 102 is a compression ignition engine such as a diesel engine, the aftertreatment system 150 may include a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a NO x In some embodiments, the DOC can convert CO to CO2 and HC to H2O and CO2, while the NO x The reduction catalyst converts NO x In some embodiments, the NO x The reduction catalyst may include a lean NO x catalyst, such as a copper-substituted zeolite ZSM-5 catalyst and / or a platinum / alumina catalyst. In some embodiments, the NO x The reduction catalyst may include a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system.

[0032] In some embodiments, the aftertreatment system 150 defines a "light-off" or activation temperature that corresponds to the lowest temperature that converts a desired amount of a standard pollutant. In some embodiments, the activation temperature of the aftertreatment system 150 is about 175 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the activation temperature of the aftertreatment system 150 is about 200 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the activation temperature of the aftertreatment system 150 is about 275 degrees Celsius.

[0033] The storage unit 152 is structurally configured to capture one or more standard pollutants in a gas (e.g., exhaust gas) passing through the storage unit 152. For example, in some embodiments, the storage unit 152 includes one or more structures and materials that adsorb one or more standard pollutants. In an embodiment, the storage unit 152 may include an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, zeolites, metal organic frameworks, silica, alumina, metal oxides, surface-modified adsorbents and / or liquids supported on porous materials, barium oxide, etc. In an embodiment, the storage unit 152 may include the adsorbent material, for example, as a coating on an integral structure or as particles retained in a bed. In some embodiments, a vacuum pressure may be maintained or applied to the storage unit 152. For example, in some embodiments, the internal combustion engine 102 is fluidly connected to the storage unit 152 (e.g., via the engine air intake 110 ( Figure 1)), and vacuum pressure can be applied to the storage unit 152 under some operating conditions. In some embodiments, a vacuum pump or the like is in communication with the storage unit 152, and vacuum pressure can be applied to the storage unit 152. As described in more detail herein, applying vacuum pressure to the storage unit 152 can help release standard pollutants from the storage unit 152. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 may include different materials and / or different regions that are structurally configured to capture different standard pollutants. For example, in some embodiments, the storage unit 152 includes zeolites for capturing HC and CO and / or activated carbon for capturing HC at relatively low temperatures. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 includes a filter for capturing NO x of barium oxide.

[0034] In an embodiment, the storage unit 152 can adsorb standard contaminants at a relatively low operating temperature compared to the temperature at which the post-treatment system 150 converts the standard contaminants. For example, in some embodiments, the storage unit 152 adsorbs standard contaminants at a temperature below 100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 adsorbs standard contaminants at a temperature between 0 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius (including the endpoints). In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 adsorbs standard contaminants at a temperature between -20 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius (including the endpoints). Because the storage unit 152 can adsorb standard contaminants at a relatively low operating temperature, the storage unit 152 can capture standard contaminants when the post-treatment system 150 is heated to the operating temperature during the startup procedure, as described in more detail herein.

[0035] In an embodiment, the storage unit 152 desorbs the standard pollutants, thereby regenerating the storage unit 152 when the storage unit 152 is at a temperature exceeding the release temperature. As used herein, the "release temperature" refers to the temperature of the storage unit 152 at which the standard pollutants (e.g., CO, HC, and NO) adsorbed by the storage unit 152 are desorbed. x ) is released from the storage unit 152. Without being bound by theory, the adsorbent of the storage unit 152 may have an adsorption isotherm associated with a specific standard pollutant. The adsorption isotherm defines an equilibrium relationship between various aspects of the adsorbent, for example, the temperature of the adsorbent and / or the gas passing through the storage unit 152, the pressure of the gas passing through the storage unit 152, the concentration of the specific standard pollutant in the gas passing through the storage unit 152, and the concentration of the specific standard pollutant adsorbed on the adsorbent.

[0036] In an embodiment, the adsorbent of the storage unit 152 may have an equilibrium temperature for each standard pollutant, at which the concentration of the standard pollutant in the gas passing through the storage unit 152 at a given pressure does not change (i.e., the temperature at which the specific standard pollutant is not adsorbed at the given pressure). The equilibrium temperature can be obtained from the adsorption isotherm of each standard pollutant. At a temperature higher than the equilibrium temperature of a specific standard pollutant, the adsorbent of the storage unit 152 generally releases the standard pollutant. Different standard pollutants may have different equilibrium temperatures, and as described herein, the "release temperature" of the storage unit 152 is a temperature greater than at least one of the equilibrium temperatures of the standard pollutants adsorbed by the storage unit 152. In an embodiment, the amount and / or rate of the standard pollutant desorbed by the adsorbent of the storage unit 152 may depend on the temperature of the storage unit 152. For example, in some embodiments, the rate or amount of the standard pollutant released by the storage unit 152 may be higher at a temperature relatively higher than the equilibrium temperature of the standard pollutant than at a temperature relatively closer to the equilibrium temperature of the standard pollutant. However, it should be understood that the relationship between the temperature of the storage unit 152 and the amount and / or rate of the standard pollutant released is not necessarily linear. For example, in some embodiments, the amount and / or rate of a specific standard pollutant released by the storage unit 152 can decrease as the temperature continues to increase above the release temperature.

[0037] In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 150 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 200 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 250 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 300 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 350 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 400 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 450 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature exceeding 500 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs standard pollutants at a temperature between 100 degrees Celsius and 500 degrees Celsius (including the endpoints). In some embodiments, the storage unit 152 desorbs the standard pollutant at a temperature between 250 degrees Celsius and 500 degrees Celsius (including the endpoints). Without being bound by theory, the release temperature at which the storage unit 152 desorbs the standard pollutant depends at least in part on the structure and material of the storage unit 152. In an embodiment, the structure and material of the storage unit 152 are generally selected so that the release temperature at which the storage unit 152 desorbs the standard pollutant is at or below the temperature of the exhaust gas that can be preferentially directed to the storage unit 152 during some operating conditions (e.g., operating conditions other than startup). In addition, the structure and material of the storage unit 152 are generally selected to withstand the temperature of the exhaust gas that is preferentially directed to the storage unit 152 during some operating conditions (e.g., operating conditions other than startup). For example, in some embodiments, the internal combustion engine system 100 can be configured so that when the exhaust gas reaches the storage unit 152 (e.g., bypassing the aftertreatment system 150), the exhaust gas preferentially directed to the storage unit 152 is less than 1000 degrees Celsius.

[0038] In an embodiment, the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 is located in the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) and the storage unit 152, and the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) and the aftertreatment system 150. In an embodiment, the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 can be positioned in a storage unit position, in which the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1) and the storage unit 152 are connected to each other through the after-treatment-storage unit valve 130.

[0039] For example and reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 , depicting the internal combustion engine system 100 with the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 in the storage unit position. In operation, a mixture of fuel and air is combusted within the combustion chamber 122 of the internal combustion engine 102, thereby forming exhaust gas. With the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 in the storage unit position, such as during a startup procedure, the exhaust gas exits the combustion chamber 122 of the internal combustion engine 102 and is delivered to the storage unit 152 through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 (e.g., bypassing the aftertreatment system 150). During the startup procedure, the storage unit 152 captures the standard pollutants of the exhaust gas such that the amount of the standard pollutants within the exhaust gas is reduced as the exhaust gas passes through the storage unit 152. For example, during a startup procedure, the storage unit 152 may initially be at an ambient temperature that is lower than the release temperature of the storage unit 152. Thus, despite the relatively high temperature exhaust gas being directed to the storage unit 152 by bypassing the aftertreatment system 150, during the startup procedure, the storage unit 152 is below the release temperature and can capture the standard pollutants in the exhaust gas. In some embodiments, during the first 120 seconds of operation of the internal combustion engine system 100, the storage unit 152 captures 85% to 99% of the standard pollutants that would otherwise be emitted when the aftertreatment system 150 is heated to the activation temperature.

[0040] The exhaust gas is delivered from the storage unit 152 to the aftertreatment system 150, for example, through a storage unit outlet valve 134. In an embodiment, the storage unit outlet valve 134 may be a one-way valve that restricts the flow of gas from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 while allowing gas to flow from the storage unit 152 to the aftertreatment system 150. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the storage unit outlet valve 134 may be repositioned between an open position, in which the aftertreatment system 150 and the storage unit 152 are in communication with each other through the storage unit outlet valve 134, and a closed position, in which the aftertreatment system 150 and the storage unit 152 are not in communication with each other through the storage unit outlet valve 134.

[0041] As the exhaust gas passes through the aftertreatment system 150, the exhaust gas heats the aftertreatment system 150. In an embodiment, the exhaust gas from the storage unit 152 heats the aftertreatment system 150 to an activation temperature, thereby "igniting" one or more catalysts of the aftertreatment system 150, as described above. The exhaust gas can be delivered from the aftertreatment system 150 through the aftertreatment outlet valve 136, and the exhaust gas can be delivered to the environment or to another treatment system of the internal combustion engine system 100. In an embodiment, the aftertreatment outlet valve 136 can be a one-way valve that restricts the flow of gas to the aftertreatment system 150 through the aftertreatment outlet valve 136 while allowing gas to flow from the aftertreatment system 150 through the aftertreatment outlet valve 136. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the aftertreatment outlet valve 136 can be repositioned between an open position, in which gas can be delivered from the aftertreatment system 150 through the aftertreatment outlet valve 136, and a closed position, in which the flow of gas through the aftertreatment outlet valve 136 is restricted.

[0042] Once the aftertreatment system 150 is heated to the activation temperature, the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 moves to an aftertreatment position in which the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) is connected to the post-processing system 150 through the post-processing-storage unit valve 130, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown.

[0043] In particular, once the aftertreatment system 150 is heated above the activation temperature, the auxiliary routine is performed. With the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 in the aftertreatment position, exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 122 of the internal combustion engine 102 is delivered to the aftertreatment system 150 through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 (e.g., bypassing the storage unit 152). As the exhaust gas passes through the aftertreatment system 150, the one or more catalysts of the aftertreatment system 150 react with the standard pollutants in the exhaust gas, as described above. In particular, as the exhaust gas passes through the aftertreatment system 150, the aftertreatment system 150 reacts with the standard pollutants of the exhaust gas to form a treated exhaust gas having fewer standard pollutants than the exhaust gas delivered from the combustion chamber 122 to the aftertreatment system 150.

[0044] The treated exhaust gas is transferred from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152, for example, through a storage unit inlet valve 132. In an embodiment, the storage unit inlet valve 132 may be a one-way valve that allows gas to be transferred from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the storage unit inlet valve 132 may be repositioned between an open position, in which the aftertreatment system 150 and the storage unit 152 are in communication with each other through the storage unit inlet valve 132, and a closed position, in which the aftertreatment system 150 and the storage unit 152 are not in communication with each other through the storage unit inlet valve 132. As the treated exhaust gas passes through the storage unit 152, the standard pollutants remaining in the treated exhaust gas may be captured by the storage unit 152, further reducing the amount of standard pollutants emitted from the internal combustion engine system 100, as described above.

[0045] In an embodiment, the storage unit 152 may retain a limited amount of a standard contaminant. Therefore, in an embodiment, the standard contaminant may be periodically released (e.g., desorbed) from the storage unit 152. In order to release the standard contaminant from the storage unit 152, Figure 4 After the auxiliary procedure shown, the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 is repositioned to the storage unit position, such as Figure 3 Similar to the start-up procedure outlined above, with the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 in the storage unit position, the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) is delivered to the storage unit 152 through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 (eg, bypassing the aftertreatment system 150). Figure 1 ) bypasses the aftertreatment system 150, so the temperature of the exhaust gas can be at a relatively high temperature compared to the exhaust gas that is directed through the aftertreatment system 150 before reaching the storage unit 152. In an embodiment, the exhaust gas heats the storage unit 152 to above the release temperature of the storage unit 152, causing the storage unit 152 to release (e.g., desorb) the standard pollutants from the storage unit 152, as described above. In some embodiments, vacuum pressure can also be applied to the storage unit 152 (e.g., via the internal combustion engine 102 and / or a vacuum pump) to help release the standard pollutants from the storage unit 152.

[0046] The released standard pollutants are transferred from the storage unit 152 to the post-treatment system 150, for example, through the storage unit outlet valve 134. The post-treatment system 150 reacts with the released standard pollutants, and the treated exhaust gas from the post-treatment system 150 may be transferred through the post-treatment outlet valve 136. By regenerating the storage unit 152 with the exhaust gas, additional components, such as an external heater, that are originally used to regenerate the storage unit 152 may be omitted.

[0047] In executing Figure 3 After the regeneration process shown, the internal combustion engine system 100 may continue to execute Figure 4 The auxiliary procedure shown positions the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 to the post-processing position.

[0048] refer to Figure 5 In some embodiments, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes a cooling unit 140 located between the aftertreatment system 150 and the storage unit 152. In some embodiments, the cooling unit 140 is a waste heat recovery unit that is structurally configured to cool the gas transmitted from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152, and may include, for example but not limited to, an electric turbo compound (ETC), a thermoelectric generator (TEG), a Rankine cycle system, etc. The waste heat recovery unit can help recover heat energy that would otherwise be lost from the exhaust gas, thereby improving the efficiency of the internal combustion engine system 100. In addition, the waste heat recovery unit can cool the exhaust gas transmitted from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152, and can help ensure that the exhaust gas transmitted from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 is below the release temperature.

[0049] In some embodiments, the cooling unit 140 includes an air cooler or other similar heat exchanger. For example, in some embodiments, the cooling unit 140 dissipates heat from the exhaust gas passing through the cooling unit 140 into the ambient air surrounding the cooling unit 140, such as by passing the ambient air through a tube or pipe carrying the exhaust gas. Similar to the embodiment in which the cooling unit 140 is a waste heat recovery unit, the air cooler can help ensure that the exhaust gas transmitted from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 is below the release temperature. Although in Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes a single cooling unit 140, but it should be understood that this is merely an example, and the internal combustion engine system 100 may include any suitable number of cooling units 140 located between the aftertreatment system 150 and the storage unit 152. In addition, in embodiments including multiple cooling units 140, the cooling units 140 may include similar configurations (e.g., each may be a waste heat recovery unit or may each be an air cooler, etc.), or may include different configurations (e.g., some may be waste heat recovery units, while others are air coolers, etc.).

[0050] The cooling unit 140 can help ensure that the standard pollutants are not released from the storage unit 152 into the environment by ensuring that the exhaust gas passed from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 is below the release temperature of the storage unit 152. In some embodiments, only a portion of the exhaust gas passed from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 is directed through the cooling unit 140, while in some embodiments, all of the exhaust gas passed from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 is directed through the cooling unit 140. In some embodiments, ambient air can be introduced into the exhaust gas passed from the aftertreatment system 150 to the storage unit 152 to control the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the storage unit 152 so as to maintain the storage unit 152 below the release temperature.

[0051] refer to Figure 6 In an embodiment, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes a controller 160. As shown, the controller 160 includes a processor 162, a data storage component 164, and / or a memory component 166. The memory component 166 can be configured as a volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and thus can include a random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and / or other types of RAM), a flash memory, a secure digital (SD) memory, a register, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), and / or other types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Depending on the specific embodiment, these non-transitory computer-readable media can reside within the controller 160 and / or outside the controller 160.

[0052] The memory component 166 can store operation logic, analysis logic and communication logic in the form of one or more computer-readable and executable instruction sets. As an example, the analysis logic and the communication logic can each include a plurality of different logics, each of which can be embodied as a computer program, firmware and / or hardware. A local interface is also included in the controller 160 and can be implemented as a bus or other communication interface to facilitate communication between components of the controller 160.

[0053] The processor 162 may include any processing component operable to receive and execute instructions (such as from the data storage component 164 and / or the memory component 166). It should be understood that although Figure 6 The components in FIG. 1 are shown as residing within the controller 160, but this is merely an example, and in some embodiments, one or more of the components may reside external to the controller 160. It should also be understood that while the controller 160 is shown as a single device, this is also merely an example.

[0054] In an embodiment, the controller 160 is communicatively coupled to one or more components of the internal combustion engine system 100. For example, in Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 160 is communicatively coupled to the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130, and in an embodiment, the controller 160 directs the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 to the storage unit position ( Figure 3 ) and the post-processing position ( Figure 4 )

[0055] In some embodiments, the controller 160 is communicatively coupled to one or more of the storage unit outlet valve 134, the storage unit inlet valve 132, and the aftertreatment outlet valve 136. The controller 160 can direct the storage unit outlet valve 134, the storage unit inlet valve 132, and the aftertreatment outlet valve 136 to move between their open and closed positions to direct the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) through the above and Figure 3 and Figure 4 The internal combustion engine system 100 is shown.

[0056] In some embodiments, the internal combustion engine system 100 further includes a temperature sensor 170 communicatively coupled to the controller 160. The temperature sensor 170 is structurally configured to detect the aftertreatment system 150 ( Figure 2 ) and may send an instruction to the controller 160 indicating that the aftertreatment system 150 ( Figure 2 ) of the detected temperature. The post-processing system 150 ( Figure 2 ) can be used to determine when to start the startup procedure ( Figure 3 ) to the auxiliary program ( Figure 4), the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 is moved from the storage position to the aftertreatment position. In an embodiment, the controller 160 determines whether the detected temperature of the aftertreatment system 150 exceeds the activation temperature of the aftertreatment system 150. In response to determining that the aftertreatment system 150 ( Figure 2 ) exceeds the activation temperature, the controller 160 guides the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 to move to the post-processing position ( Figure 4 As described above, when the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 is in the post-processing position ( Figure 4 ), the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine 102 ( Figure 1 ) of the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) is directed to the post-processing system 150 ( Figure 4 ), and then to the storage unit 152 ( Figure 4 ). In response to determining that the post-processing system 150 ( Figure 2 ) does not exceed the activation temperature, the controller 160 directs the aftertreatment-storage unit valve 130 to move to or remain in the storage unit position ( Figure 3 As described above, when the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 is in the storage unit position ( Figure 3 ) in the case of the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) is directed to the storage unit 152 ( Figure 3 ), and then directed to the post-processing system 150 ( Figure 3 ), so that the storage unit 152 can capture standard pollutants when the aftertreatment system 150 is heated.

[0057] In some embodiments, the internal combustion engine system 100 further includes a pollutant sensor 172 communicatively coupled to the controller 160. The pollutant sensor 172 is structurally configured to detect the storage unit 152 ( Figure 2 ) and may send an indication to the controller 160 indicating that the storage unit 152 ( Figure 2 ) in the storage unit 152 ( Figure 2 ) can be used to determine when to remove the one or more standard contaminants from the auxiliary procedure ( Figure 4 ) changes to the regeneration program ( Figure 3 ), the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 is moved from the post-processing position to the storage position. In an embodiment, the controller 160 may determine that the storage unit 152 ( Figure 2) exceeds a configurable threshold. Figure 2 ) exceeds the configurable threshold, the controller 160 directs the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 to move to the storage position ( Figure 3 As described above, when the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 is in the storage unit position ( Figure 3 ) in the case of the combustion chamber 122 ( Figure 1 ) is directed to the storage unit 152 ( Figure 3 ), and then directed to the post-processing system 150 ( Figure 3 The relatively high temperature of the exhaust gas may cause the storage unit 152 ( Figure 3 ) removes the standard pollutant from the storage unit 152 ( Figure 3 ) is released (eg, desorbed) to the aftertreatment system 150 ( Figure 3 ). In response to determining that the storage unit 152 ( Figure 2 ) does not exceed the configurable threshold, the controller 160 directs the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 to remain in the post-processing position ( Figure 4 ).

[0058] Although in Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the internal combustion engine system 100 includes the pollutant sensor 172, but it should be understood that this is merely an example. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 160 may detect the pollutant from the auxiliary process ( Figure 4 ) changes to the regeneration process ( Figure 3 ), moving the post-processing-storage unit valve 130 from the post-processing position to the storage position, thereby periodically removing liquid from the storage unit 152 ( Figure 2 ) release standard pollutants.

[0059] Therefore, it should now be understood that the embodiments described herein relate to internal combustion engine systems and methods of operating internal combustion engine systems that reduce the emission of standard pollutants. In the embodiments described herein, the internal combustion engine system includes an aftertreatment system and a storage unit selectively connected to a combustion chamber. During startup conditions, exhaust gas is directed to the storage unit, and the storage unit captures standard pollutants from the exhaust gas when the aftertreatment system is heated to an activation temperature. Once the aftertreatment system is heated to the activation temperature, the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is directed through the aftertreatment system, and the aftertreatment system reacts with the standard pollutants in the exhaust gas. By preferentially directing the exhaust gas to the storage unit during startup, the standard pollutants that would otherwise be emitted from the internal combustion engine into the environment when the aftertreatment system is heated to the activation temperature are captured.

[0060] Various aspects of the disclosure are provided in the following clauses.

[0061] In a first aspect A1, the present disclosure provides a method for operating an internal combustion engine, the method comprising burning a mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to form exhaust gas, allowing the exhaust gas to leave the combustion chamber, executing a start-up procedure, the start-up procedure comprising transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a storage unit, capturing standard pollutants of the exhaust gas with the storage unit, transferring the exhaust gas from the storage unit to a post-treatment system, heating the post-treatment system to an activation temperature with the exhaust gas from the storage unit, and after heating the post-treatment system to the activation temperature, executing an auxiliary procedure, the auxiliary procedure comprising transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the post-treatment system, allowing the standard pollutants of the exhaust gas to react with the post-treatment system to form treated exhaust gas, wherein the treated exhaust gas includes fewer standard pollutants than the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber, and transferring the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit.

[0062] In a second aspect A2, the present disclosure provides a method as described in aspect A1, wherein the auxiliary procedure further comprises capturing standard pollutants from the treated exhaust gas using the storage unit.

[0063] In a third aspect A3, the present disclosure provides a method as described in aspect A1 or A2, wherein the auxiliary process further comprises cooling the treated exhaust gas before transmitting the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit.

[0064] In a fourth aspect A4, the present disclosure provides a method as described in aspect A3, wherein cooling the treated exhaust gas comprises passing the treated exhaust gas through a cooling unit, the cooling unit comprising at least one of a waste heat recovery unit and an air cooler.

[0065] In the fifth aspect A5, the present disclosure provides a method as described in any one of aspects A1-A4, further comprising, after executing the auxiliary program, performing a regeneration program, the regeneration program comprising transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit, and heating the storage unit with the exhaust gas to above the release temperature, thereby releasing the stored standard pollutants from the storage unit.

[0066] In a sixth aspect A6, the present disclosure provides a method as in any one of aspects A1-A5, further comprising applying vacuum pressure to the storage unit.

[0067] In a seventh aspect A7, the present disclosure provides a method as described in aspect A5 or A6, wherein the regeneration procedure further comprises transferring the released standard pollutants to the post-treatment system.

[0068] In an eighth aspect A8, the present disclosure provides a method as described in any one of aspects A5-A7, further comprising continuing to perform the auxiliary procedure after performing the regeneration procedure.

[0069] In a ninth aspect A9, the present disclosure provides a method as described in any one of aspects A1 to A8, wherein the standard pollutant comprises at least one of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

[0070] In the tenth aspect A10, the present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine system, which includes a combustion chamber, a storage unit selectively connected to the combustion chamber, a post-treatment system selectively connected to the combustion chamber and to the storage unit, an after-treatment-storage unit valve located between the combustion chamber and the storage unit and between the combustion chamber and the after-treatment system, and a controller communicatively coupled to the after-treatment-storage unit valve, wherein the storage unit is structurally configured to capture one or more standard pollutants in the gas passing through the storage unit, the after-treatment system is structurally configured to react with one or more standard pollutants in the gas passing through the after-treatment system, and the after-treatment-storage unit valve can be in a storage position and a after-treatment position. and repositioning the aftertreatment system between two aftertreatment positions, wherein the combustion chamber and the storage unit are in communication with each other via the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, and wherein the combustion chamber is in communication with the aftertreatment system via the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, wherein the controller comprises a processor and a computer-readable and executable instruction set, wherein the computer-readable and executable instruction set, when executed, causes the processor to execute a startup procedure and an auxiliary procedure, wherein the startup procedure comprises directing the aftertreatment-storage unit valve to the storage position, thereby directing the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit, and wherein the auxiliary procedure comprises directing the aftertreatment-storage unit valve to move to the aftertreatment position, thereby directing the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the aftertreatment system.

[0071] In an eleventh aspect A11, the present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine system as described in aspect A10, further comprising a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the temperature sensor is structurally configured to detect a temperature of the aftertreatment system.

[0072] In aspect A12, the present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine system as described in aspect A11, wherein the computer-readable and executable instruction set, when executed, further causes the processor to receive a signal indicating a detected temperature of the aftertreatment system from the temperature sensor, determine whether the detected temperature of the aftertreatment system exceeds an activation temperature, and wherein, in response to determining that the temperature of the aftertreatment system exceeds the activation temperature, the aftertreatment-storage unit valve is guided to move to the aftertreatment position.

[0073] In the thirteenth aspect A13, the present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine system as described in any one of aspects A10-A12, further comprising a pollutant sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the pollutant sensor is structurally configured to detect the amount of one or more standard pollutants stored in the storage unit.

[0074] In the fourteenth aspect A14, the present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine system as described in aspect A13, wherein the computer-readable and executable instruction set, when executed, also causes the processor to receive a signal from the pollutant sensor indicating the detected amount of one or more standard pollutants stored in the storage unit, determine whether the detected amount of the one or more standard pollutants exceeds a configurable threshold, and in response to determining that the detected amount of the one or more standard pollutants exceeds the configurable threshold, guide the after-treatment-storage unit valve to move to the storage position, thereby guiding the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit.

[0075] In the fifteenth aspect A15, the present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine system as described in any one of aspects A10-A14, further comprising a waste heat recovery unit located between the after-treatment system and the storage unit, wherein the waste heat recovery unit is structurally configured to cool the gas transmitted from the after-treatment system to the storage unit.

[0076] In the sixteenth aspect A16, the present disclosure provides a method for operating an internal combustion engine system, the method comprising burning a mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to form exhaust gas, executing an auxiliary program, the auxiliary program comprising transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a post-treatment system, causing the exhaust gas to react in the post-treatment system to form treated exhaust gas, wherein the treated exhaust gas comprises fewer standard pollutants than the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber, transferring the treated exhaust gas to a storage unit, and after executing the auxiliary program, executing a regeneration program, the regeneration program comprising transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit, heating the storage unit with the exhaust gas to above a release temperature to release the stored standard pollutants from the storage unit, transferring the released standard pollutants from the storage unit to the post-treatment system, and causing the released standard pollutants to react with the post-treatment system.

[0077] In the seventeenth aspect A17, the present disclosure provides the method as described in aspect A16, further comprising continuing to perform the auxiliary procedure after performing the regeneration procedure.

[0078] In the eighteenth aspect A18, the present disclosure provides a method as described in aspect A16 or A17, wherein the standard pollutant includes at least one of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

[0079] In the nineteenth aspect A19, the present disclosure provides a method as described in any one of aspects A16-A18, wherein the auxiliary procedure also includes cooling the treated exhaust gas before conveying the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit.

[0080] In the twentieth aspect A20, the present disclosure provides a method as described in aspect A19, wherein cooling the treated exhaust gas includes passing the treated exhaust gas through a waste heat recovery unit.

[0081] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been described in detail and by reference to specific embodiments, and it should be noted that the various details described in the present disclosure should not be considered to imply that these details relate to elements that are basic components of the various embodiments described in the present disclosure, even if specific elements are shown in each of the drawings accompanying this specification. On the contrary, the attached claims should be regarded as the only representation of the breadth of the present disclosure and the corresponding scope of the various embodiments described in the present disclosure. In addition, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover modifications and changes of the various described embodiments, as long as these modifications and changes fall within the scope of the attached claims and their equivalents.

[0082] It should be noted that the description herein of a component of the present disclosure being "structurally configured" in a particular manner to exhibit a particular property or to function in a particular manner is a structural description, not a description of intended use. More specifically, references herein to the manner in which a component is "structurally configured" represent the existing physical condition of the component, and are therefore to be regarded as explicit descriptions of the structural features of the component.

[0083] It should be noted that when used herein, terms such as "preferably," "generally," and "typically" are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, necessary, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Instead, these terms are merely intended to identify specific aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be used in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention, it is noted that the terms "substantially" and "approximately" are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms "substantially" and "approximately" are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

[0085] It should be noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term "wherein" as a conjunction. For purposes of defining the present invention, it should be noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open conjunction that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of features of a structure and should be interpreted in a manner similar to the more commonly used open-ended term "comprising."

Claims

1. A method for operating an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: A mixture of fuel and air is burned in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, thereby forming exhaust gases; allowing the exhaust gas to exit the combustion chamber; Execute a startup procedure, the startup procedure comprising: passing the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a storage unit comprising one or more sorbent materials; capturing criteria pollutants from the exhaust gas with the storage unit; routing the exhaust gas from the storage unit to an aftertreatment system including one or more catalysts; heating the aftertreatment system to an activation temperature using the exhaust gas from the storage unit; and after heating the aftertreatment system to the activation temperature, performing an auxiliary routine, the auxiliary routine comprising: routing the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the aftertreatment system; reacting criteria pollutants of the exhaust gas with the aftertreatment system to form treated exhaust gas, wherein the treated exhaust gas comprises less criteria pollutants than the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber; cooling the treated exhaust gas before conveying the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit; and The treated exhaust gas is conveyed to the storage unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The auxiliary process also includes capturing standard pollutants from the treated exhaust gas using the storage unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Cooling the treated exhaust gas includes passing the treated exhaust gas through a cooling unit, the cooling unit including at least one of a waste heat recovery unit and an air cooler, the waste heat recovery unit including at least one of an electric turbo compound, a thermoelectric generator, and a Rankine cycle system.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: After executing the auxiliary program, a regeneration program is executed, and the regeneration program includes: transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit; and The storage unit is heated to above a release temperature using the exhaust gas, thereby releasing the stored standard pollutant from the storage unit.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The regeneration process also includes transferring the released criteria pollutants to the aftertreatment system.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: After executing the regeneration program, the auxiliary program is continued.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying vacuum pressure to the storage unit.

8. An internal combustion engine system, comprising: Combustion chamber; a storage unit in selective communication with the combustion chamber, wherein the storage unit including one or more sorbent materials is structurally configured to capture one or more criteria pollutants in gas passing through the storage unit; an aftertreatment system in selective communication with the combustion chamber and in selective communication with the storage unit, wherein the aftertreatment system including one or more catalysts is structurally configured to react with one or more criteria pollutants in gas passing through the aftertreatment system; a waste heat recovery unit located between the aftertreatment system and the storage unit, wherein the waste heat recovery unit includes at least one of an electric turbo compound, a thermoelectric generator, a Rankine cycle system and is structurally configured to cool gas transferred from the aftertreatment system to the storage unit; an aftertreatment-storage unit valve located between the combustion chamber and the storage unit and between the combustion chamber and the aftertreatment system, wherein the aftertreatment-storage unit valve is repositionable between a storage position, in which the combustion chamber and the storage unit are in communication with each other through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, and an aftertreatment position, in which the combustion chamber is in communication with the aftertreatment system through the aftertreatment-storage unit valve; and a controller communicatively coupled to the aftertreatment-storage unit valve, the controller comprising a processor and a set of computer-readable and executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: Execute a startup procedure, the startup procedure comprising: directing the aftertreatment-storage unit valve to the storage position to thereby bypass the aftertreatment system and direct exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit; and Execute an auxiliary program, the auxiliary program comprising: The aftertreatment-storage unit valve is directed to move to the aftertreatment position to direct the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the aftertreatment system.

9. The internal combustion engine system of claim 8, further comprising a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein: The temperature sensor is structurally configured to detect a temperature of the aftertreatment system, wherein the set of computer readable and executable instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to: receiving a signal from the temperature sensor indicative of a detected temperature of the aftertreatment system; determining whether the detected temperature of the aftertreatment system exceeds an activation temperature; and wherein in response to determining that the temperature of the aftertreatment system exceeds the activation temperature, the aftertreatment-storage unit valve is directed to move to the aftertreatment position.

10. The internal combustion engine system of claim 8 or 9, further comprising a pollutant sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein: The pollutant sensor is structurally configured to detect an amount of one or more standard pollutants stored in the storage unit.

11. The internal combustion engine system according to claim 10, wherein: The computer readable and executable set of instructions, when executed, further causes the processor to: receiving a signal from the pollutant sensor indicative of a detected amount of one or more standard pollutants stored in the storage unit; determining whether the detected amount of the one or more criteria pollutants exceeds a configurable threshold; and In response to determining that the detected amount of the one or more criteria pollutants exceeds the configurable threshold, directing the aftertreatment-storage unit valve to move to the storage position to direct the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit.

12. A method of operating an internal combustion engine system, the method comprising: A mixture of fuel and air is burned in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, thereby forming exhaust gases; Execute an auxiliary program, the auxiliary program comprising: passing the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to a post-treatment system comprising one or more sorbent materials; reacting the exhaust gas in the aftertreatment system to form a treated exhaust gas, wherein the treated exhaust gas includes fewer criteria pollutants than the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber; transmitting the treated exhaust gas to a storage unit comprising one or more catalysts; and cooling the treated exhaust gas before transmitting the treated exhaust gas to the storage unit, wherein cooling the treated exhaust gas comprises passing the treated exhaust gas through a waste heat recovery unit comprising at least one of an electric turbocompound, a thermoelectric generator, and a Rankine cycle system; and After executing the auxiliary program, a regeneration program is executed, and the regeneration program includes: transferring the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the storage unit; heating the storage unit to above a release temperature with the exhaust gas, thereby releasing the stored standard pollutant from the storage unit; transferring the released standard pollutants from the storage unit to the post-processing system; and The released standard pollutants are allowed to react with the post-treatment system.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: After executing the regeneration program, the auxiliary program is continued.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The standard pollutants include at least one of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

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