MODULAR EXHAUST FUME TREATMENT SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to modular exhaust gas treatment arrangements which contribute to reducing pollutant emissions, particularly in exhaust systems of internal combustion engines used in vehicles.

[0002] Such exhaust gas treatment systems, used, for example, in diesel internal combustion engines, generally comprise a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter, and an SCR catalyst arranged in succession in the direction of flow. Upstream of the SCR catalyst, a mixing section is provided in which exhaust gas and the reactant delivered by a reactant delivery system, generally referred to as an injector, for example, a urea / water solution, are mixed and reacted for subsequent selective catalytic reduction in the SCR catalyst. In order to comply with increasingly stringent emissions standards, it may be necessary to install an additional SCR catalyst upstream of these system areas intended for exhaust gas treatment.In association with this further SCR catalyst, generally referred to as pre-SCR catalyst, a further mixing section is required to mix exhaust gas with reactant upstream of this pre-SCR catalyst and feed it to the pre-SCR catalyst.

[0003] Since the installation space available for accommodating exhaust gas treatment systems in vehicles, such as commercial vehicles or trucks, is limited and is also determined by where the upstream and downstream connection areas for integrating an exhaust gas treatment system into an exhaust system are provided in such vehicles, there is a fundamental requirement to accommodate exhaust gas treatment systems containing additional system areas in the installation space available in existing or designed vehicles, while maintaining or achieving optimal flow behavior with the lowest possible backpressure. This requires that even when integrating additional system areas into such exhaust gas treatment systems, their external dimensions must not deviate, or not significantly deviate, from the external dimensions of existing exhaust gas treatment systems.At the same time, the possibility must exist or be maintained to have access to system areas of such exhaust gas treatment systems that degrade during exhaust gas treatment operation and therefore require maintenance or replacement.

[0004] A modular exhaust gas treatment arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2022 / 0356832 A1.In this modular exhaust gas treatment arrangement, an inlet interface, a first mixing section following the inlet interface in the direction of flow, a first exhaust gas treatment section following the first mixing section in the direction of flow, a second mixing section following the first exhaust gas treatment section in the direction of flow, a second exhaust gas treatment section following the second mixing section in the direction of flow, a first deflection housing connecting an outlet region of the first mixing section to an inlet region of the first exhaust gas treatment section, a second deflection housing connecting an outlet region of the first exhaust gas treatment section to an inlet region of the second mixing section, and a third deflection housing connecting an outlet region of the second mixing section to an inlet region of the second exhaust gas treatment section are combined to form a module of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement.An opening closable by a closure element is formed in the first deflection housing. If necessary, a further module of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement comprising an SCR catalyst and a diesel oxidation catalyst of the first exhaust gas treatment section can be removed from a housing of the first exhaust gas treatment section through this opening and replaced with a corresponding module comprising an SCR catalyst and a diesel oxidation catalyst.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide an exhaust gas treatment arrangement, in particular for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, which offers the possibility of maintaining or replacing system areas while providing improved exhaust gas treatment capacity.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a modular exhaust gas treatment arrangement, comprising: an inlet interface for receiving exhaust gas in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, a first mixing section, a first exhaust gas treatment section with a first catalyst arrangement and a particulate filter arrangement, a second mixing section, a second exhaust gas treatment section with a second catalyst arrangement, a first deflection housing connecting an outlet region of the first mixing section to an inlet region of the first exhaust gas treatment section, a second deflection housing connecting an outlet region of the first exhaust gas treatment section to an inlet region of the second mixing section, a third deflection housing connecting an outlet region of the second mixing section to an inlet region of the second exhaust gas treatment section.

[0007] In this exhaust gas treatment arrangement, the invention further provides that: a first module comprises the inlet interface and the first mixing section, a second module comprises the first deflection housing and the first catalyst arrangement of the first exhaust gas treatment section, wherein the second module is detachably connected to the first module, a third module comprises the particle filter arrangement of the first exhaust gas treatment section, wherein the third module is detachably connected to the second module, a fourth module comprises the second deflection housing, wherein the fourth module is detachably connected to the third module, a fifth module comprises the second mixing section, the third deflection housing and the second exhaust gas treatment section, wherein the fifth module is detachably connected to the fourth module.

[0008] By dividing the exhaust treatment system into a plurality of detachably connected modules, it is possible to construct each such module independently and independently of other modules and to integrate it into the exhaust treatment system as such or to remove it from it for maintenance or replacement work. At the same time, the use of a plurality of modules in the exhaust treatment system supports the spatial positioning of the individual modules or the system areas of the individual modules relative to one another in such a way that a compact design is achieved, which allows an exhaust treatment system, in particular one that also includes an additional mixing section, to be integrated into the installation space available in already constructed or designed vehicles.

[0009] For an easy-to-implement, yet reliable and gas-tight connection of the modules to one another, it is proposed that at least one module of the first module, second module, third module, fourth module and fifth module is detachably connected to at least one further module of the first module, second module, third module, fourth module and fifth module by means of a screw connection and / or a clamp connection.

[0010] In this context, it should be noted that if two modules adjoin one another in the area of ​​tubular elements and are to be detachably connected to one another, the tubular elements can be positioned adjacent to one another with their flange-like ends, if necessary with the interposition of a sealing element, and can be connected to one another by a pipe clamp that externally encompasses the flange-like ends or by screw bolts or the like that pass through the flange-like ends or couple them together. For the detachable connection of a tubular element of one module to a deflection housing of another module, a flange-like end of the tubular element can be connected to the deflection housing by screw bolts or the like that pass through the latter and through a wall of the deflection housing or are provided thereon.Alternatively, in order to connect a tubular element of a module, which is constructed with a flange-like end, to a deflection housing, the deflection housing can have a tubular or nozzle-like region with a flange-like end that protrudes from a wall of the same, which is positioned opposite the flange-like end of the tubular element, optionally with the interposition of a sealing element, and is connected by means of a pipe clamp that externally encompasses these flange-like ends or a plurality of screw bolts or the like that pass through the flange-like ends or couple them together.

[0011] For detachable connection of the first module to the second module, the outlet area of ​​the first mixing section can be detachably connected to an inlet area of ​​the first deflection housing.

[0012] The second module can be detachably coupled to the third module in a simple manner by detachably connecting an outlet region of the first catalyst arrangement to an inlet region of the particulate filter arrangement.

[0013] The third module can be detachably connected to the fourth module in that an outlet region of the particle filter arrangement is detachably connected to an inlet region of the second deflection housing.

[0014] For the detachable connection of the fourth module to the fifth module, it is proposed that an outlet region of the second deflection housing is detachably connected to the inlet region of the second mixing section.

[0015] In order to efficiently reduce the nitrogen oxide content in the exhaust gas emitted by an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel internal combustion engine, it is proposed that the first catalyst arrangement comprises a pre-SCR catalyst unit and that the first module has a first reactant interface for receiving a first reactant delivery arrangement.

[0016] For example, the first reactant interface can be provided in the region of the inlet area of ​​the first mixing section.

[0017] The first catalyst arrangement may further comprise an oxidation catalyst unit.

[0018] In order to reduce the nitrogen oxide content in the exhaust gas emitted by an internal combustion engine as much as possible, the second catalyst arrangement may comprise at least one main SCR catalyst unit, and the fourth module may have a second reactant interface for receiving a second reactant delivery arrangement.

[0019] In order to maximize the capacity of the second catalyst arrangement to reduce the nitrogen oxide content, it can comprise two main SCR catalyst units connected in parallel.

[0020] To achieve a compact design, it is proposed that in the circumferential direction around a longitudinal center axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, one of the main SCR catalyst units follows the first exhaust gas treatment section, the second mixing section follows one main SCR catalyst unit of the two main SCR catalyst units, the other main SCR catalyst unit of the two main SCR catalyst units follows the second mixing section, and the first exhaust gas treatment section follows the other main SCR catalyst unit of the two main SCR catalyst units.

[0021] A compact design of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement according to the invention can be further supported in that the first mixing section is elongated in the direction of a first mixing section longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, in that the second mixing section is elongated in the direction of a second mixing section longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, in that the first exhaust gas treatment section is elongated in the direction of a first exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, in that the second exhaust gas treatment section is elongated in the direction of a second exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement, and in that the first mixing section, the second mixing section,the first exhaust gas treatment section and the second exhaust gas treatment section are arranged overlapping one another in the direction of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis.,

[0022] If the first deflection housing and the third deflection housing are arranged in a first axial end region of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement with respect to an exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis and the second deflection housing is arranged in a second axial end region with respect to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis, essentially all system regions extending in the direction of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis lie in the same axial region or essentially completely overlap one another, so that a compact design in the direction of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis is achieved.

[0023] An outlet housing may be provided for discharging treated exhaust gas from the exhaust treatment arrangement, wherein an outlet region of the second exhaust treatment section is open to the outlet housing. An outlet interface for discharging exhaust gas from the exhaust treatment arrangement may be provided on the outlet housing. For example, the outlet housing may form a component of the fifth module.

[0024] To support the mixing of exhaust gas and reactant in the second mixing section, at least a part of the second mixing section can extend inside the outlet housing.

[0025] The invention further relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an exhaust treatment arrangement constructed according to the invention.

[0026] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic plan view of an exhaust gas treatment arrangement in the direction of view I in Fig. 2 ; Fig. 2the exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the Fig. 1 in viewing direction II in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 the exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the Fig. 1 in viewing direction III in Fig1 ; Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the detachable connection of two modules of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the exhaust gas treatment system of the Fig. 1 in which the exhaust gas treated in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement leaves the exhaust gas treatment arrangement at an outlet interface.

[0027] In the figures, a schematically illustrated exhaust gas treatment arrangement for an exhaust system 10 of an internal combustion engine is generally designated 12. The exhaust system 12 is fundamentally modular in design and comprises five modules M1 to M5, described in detail below, which are detachably connected to one another.

[0028] A first module M1 comprises a first mixing section 14, constructed, for example, with a tubular element 26. An inlet interface 18 of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12, constructed, for example, with a pipe section or a pipe socket, is provided at an inlet region 16 of the first mixing section 14, with which the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 can be connected to an upstream region of the exhaust system 10. Exhaust gas A emitted by an internal combustion engine enters the exhaust system 12 in the region of the inlet interface 18.

[0029] A first reactant interface 22 is provided in the region of the inlet region 16 of the first mixing section 14 or on the tubular element 20 which also provides the inlet interface 18. In the region of the first reactant interface 22, a first reactant delivery arrangement 24, generally also referred to as an injector, can be connected to the module M1 in an upstream region of the first mixing section 14. The first reactant delivery arrangement 24 can introduce a reactant, for example a urea / water solution, into the exhaust gas A flowing into the exhaust system 12 in the region of the inlet interface 18. For efficient mixing of the reactant, generally delivered as a spray, with the exhaust gas A, a mixer constructed with a plurality of blade-like deflection elements or the like can be arranged in the first mixing section 14.When flowing along the tubular element 26 of the first mixing section 14, which is elongated substantially in a first mixing section longitudinal direction L M1, the exhaust gas A mixes with the reactant.

[0030] A downstream outlet region 28 of the first mixing section 14 is, as illustrated by a region indicated by a dashed line, detachably connected to a first deflection housing 30. For this purpose, a Fig.4 The flange-like end 100 of the tubular element 26 of the first mixing section 14 can be detachably connected to a wall 104 of the first deflection housing 30 by a plurality of screw bolts 102 or the like. Alternatively, as shown in the upper part of the Fig. 4 illustrated, a pipe socket 108 formed with a flange-like end 106 can be provided on the wall 100 of the first deflection housing 30, wherein the then mutually abutting flange-like ends 100, 106 on the tubular element 26 on the one hand and on the first deflection housing 30 on the other hand can be firmly and gas-tightly connected to one another by a plurality of screw bolts or by a pipe clamp 110 surrounding them.

[0031] The exhaust gas or mixture of exhaust gas and reactant introduced into the first deflection housing 30 in an inlet region 31 of the first mixing section 14 in the outlet region 28 of the first mixing section 14 is deflected in the first deflection housing 30 by approximately 180° with respect to an exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal direction LA and exits the first deflection housing 30 in the direction of a first exhaust gas treatment section 32. The first exhaust gas treatment section 32 comprises, in succession in the flow direction, a first catalyst arrangement 34 and a particulate filter arrangement 36. The first catalyst arrangement 34 comprises a pre-SCR catalyst unit 38 and, for example, downstream of the pre-SCR catalyst unit 38, an oxidation catalyst unit 40.

[0032] The first deflection housing 30 forms, together with the first catalyst arrangement 34 of the first exhaust gas treatment section 32, which is essentially elongated in a first exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal direction L A1 and through which flow can also take place in this direction, a second module M2. For this purpose, for example, a tubular casing of the first catalyst arrangement 34, which accommodates the pre-SCR catalyst unit 38 and the oxidation catalyst unit 40 with intermediate storage of, for example, fibrous or mat-like bearing material, can be firmly connected to a wall of the first deflection housing 30, for example by material bonding. Alternatively, a tubular housing of the first catalyst arrangement 34 can be firmly connected to the first deflection housing 30. The pre-catalyst unit 38 and the oxidation catalyst unit 40 can then be accommodated in this tubular housing.Each of these units can then in turn be constructed with a shell and the catalyst block accommodated therein, for example with intermediate storage of fibrous or mat-like material.

[0033] The particulate filter assembly 36 forms a third module M3 of the exhaust gas treatment assembly 10. An inlet region 42 of the particulate filter assembly 36 is detachably connected to an outlet region 44 of the first catalyst assembly 34, as indicated by a dashed line. For this purpose, the first catalyst assembly 34 and the particulate filter assembly 36, which are generally constructed with tubular housing elements or casings, can be flange-shaped at their adjoining ends, i.e., in the inlet region 42 and the outlet region 44, and can be detachably and gas-tightly connected to one another by a pipe clamp encompassing them or by a plurality of screw bolts.

[0034] An outlet region 46 of the particulate filter assembly 36 is detachably connected to a second deflection housing 48. The second deflection housing 48 forms a fourth module M4 in the exhaust gas treatment assembly 12. An inlet region 50 of the second deflection housing 48 is detachably and gas-tightly connected to the outlet region 46 of the particulate filter assembly, for example, in a manner as described above with reference to the connection of the first deflection housing 30 to the first mixing section 14, by a pipe clamp or by a plurality of screw bolts or the like.

[0035] In the second deflection housing 48, the exhaust gas or mixture of exhaust gas and reactant flowing from the first exhaust gas treatment section 32 in the direction of the first exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal axis LA or in the direction of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis LA is deflected, and in the region of an outlet region 52 of the second deflection housing 48, the exhaust gas leaves the fourth module M4, which is essentially provided by the second deflection housing 48, in the direction of a second mixing section 56, which essentially comprises a tubular element 54. An inlet region 58 of the second mixing section 56 is detachably connected to the outlet region 52 of the second deflection housing 48. Here, too, the detachable connection can be connected in the manner described above with reference to the detachable connection between the outlet region 28 of the first mixing section 14 and the inlet region 31 of the first deflection housing 30.

[0036] A second reactant interface 60 is provided on the fourth module M4 or on the second deflection housing 48, respectively, in association with the second mixing section 56. In the region of the second reactant interface 60, which is substantially opposite the inlet region 58 of the second mixing section 56, a second reactant discharge arrangement 62 is secured to the second deflection housing 48, so that reactant discharged by the second reactant discharge arrangement 62, for example a urea / water solution, is introduced into the inlet region 58 of the second mixing section 56 together with the exhaust gas flowing through the second deflection housing 48.The mixture of exhaust gas and reactant flows in the tubular element 54 of the second mixing section 56, which is elongated in a second mixing section longitudinal direction L M2, wherein a mixer comprising a plurality of deflection vanes or the like can be arranged in the tubular element 54 to assist the mixing.

[0037] At an outlet region 64 of the second mixing section 56, it connects to a third deflection housing 66. The tubular element 54 of the second mixing section 56 can be firmly connected to a wall of the third deflection housing 66, for example, by welding or the like.

[0038] It should be noted that the deflection housings 30, 48, 66 provided in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 have openings where the mixing sections 14, 56 and the exhaust gas treatment sections 32, 68 adjoin respective inlet regions and outlet regions thereof, in order to allow the entry and exit of exhaust gas and, if appropriate, reactant into and out of deflection chambers formed in the deflection housings 30, 48, 66.

[0039] In the third deflection housing 66, the mixture of exhaust gas and reactant leaving the second mixing section 56 is deflected by approximately 180° toward a second exhaust gas treatment section, generally designated 68. The second exhaust gas treatment section 68 comprises a second catalyst arrangement 70 with two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 arranged side by side transversely to the exhaust gas treatment longitudinal direction LA and elongated in a second exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal direction LA2. Each of the main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 can have a tubular casing, which can be firmly and gas-tightly connected to a wall of the third deflection housing 66 by welding or the like, and in which at least one catalyst block can be held with intermediate storage of fibrous or mat-like material.Alternatively, each of the main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 may have a tubular housing firmly connected to the third deflection housing 66, for example by welding or the like, into which at least one catalyst unit may then be accommodated, each with a tubular casing and a catalyst block held therein, for example by fibrous material or mat material.

[0040] At their downstream ends 86, 88, the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 of the second catalyst arrangement 70 are connected to a unit generally designated 76 and shown in Fig. 5 -line is open. The arrangement can be such that the tubular element 54 of the second mixing section 56 penetrates the outlet housing 76 at least in part, so that exhaust gas flowing out of the main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 can flow around the tubular element 54 at least in part and in doing so transfers heat to it. This can assist the evaporation of reactant in the second mixing section 56 and thus also the mixing of the reactant with the exhaust gas. An outlet interface 80 of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 is provided on the outlet housing 76, for example, by a tubular element 78 or an opening in the outlet housing 76.With this outlet interface 80, the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 can be connected to a downstream, for example pipe-like, system region of the exhaust system 10, so that the pollutant-reduced exhaust gas treated in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 can be discharged from the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12.

[0041] To gain access to the fourth module M4, which is essentially provided by the second deflection housing 48, as well as to the particulate filter assembly 36, which essentially provides the second, third module M3, the outlet housing 76 can be constructed in multiple parts and, for example, have a detachable housing base that also provides the outlet interface 80. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet housing 76 can be designed to be opened in a lateral region in order to gain lateral access to the system regions of the exhaust gas treatment assembly 12 located inside the outlet housing 76.

[0042] In the Fig. 1 bis 3 In the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 shown, the second mixing section 56, the third deflection housing 66, the second exhaust gas treatment section 68, the outlet housing 76 and the outlet interface 80 provided thereon thus form a fifth module M5, which is detachably connected in the manner described above in the region of the inlet region 58 of the second mixing section 56 to the fourth module M4 provided essentially by the second deflection housing 48.

[0043] The modular design of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 achieves a compact structure in which each of the modules M1 to M5 can be constructed separately in order to then detachably connect the modules, which are provided with high structural strength and preferably firmly and non-detachably connected to one another in the system areas, such as deflection housings and tubular elements, in the manner described above.The various system regions of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 which are elongated in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal direction LA, essentially the two mixing sections 14, 56 and the two exhaust gas treatment sections 32, 68, lie next to one another transversely to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal direction LA and essentially completely overlap one another axially, so that a structure is produced in which the first deflection housing 30 and the third deflection housing 66 are positioned essentially in the same axial region or in a first axial end region 82 of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 and the second deflection housing 48 is positioned essentially in a second axial end region 84 of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12. The inlet interface 18 and the outlet interface 80 are also positioned in this second axial end region 84. This results in a . Fig. 1 bis 3The essentially cuboid-like outer peripheral contour of the entire exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12, indicated by a dashed line, can be integrated into the installation space provided for this purpose in vehicles, in particular in commercial vehicles or trucks.

[0044] Due to the previously described arrangement of the various system regions of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 in various modules positioned in a defined manner relative to one another, it is also possible to integrate the first mixing section 14 and the pre-SCR catalyst unit 38 into the installation space provided for such an exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12. With this compact positioning of the various modules relative to one another, the second deflection housing 48, which essentially provides the fourth module M4, crosses the ends of the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74, which are generally open for the outflow of exhaust gas, transversely to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis LA. This leads to a structure in which the first exhaust gas treatment section 32 and the second mixing section 56 orthe longitudinal directions L A1 , L M2 defining their respective longitudinal axes on the one hand and the longitudinal center axes of the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 extending substantially in the second exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal direction L A2 on the other hand lie opposite one another in pairs with respect to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal direction LA substantially defining a longitudinal center axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12, so that a line connecting the first exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal direction L A1 and the second mixing section longitudinal direction L M2 and each orthogonal to these directions and a line connecting the longitudinal center axes of the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 and each orthogonal to these directions intersect one another.In the circumferential direction around the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal direction LA, which essentially defines a longitudinal center axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12, one of the main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 follows the first exhaust gas treatment section 32, the second mixing section 56 follows this main SCR catalyst unit of the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74, the other of the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 follows the second mixing section 56, and then the first exhaust gas treatment section 32 follows the other of the two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74.

[0045] The detachable connection of modules M1 to M5 to one another makes it possible to carry out maintenance or repair work in a simple manner. For example, the particulate filter assembly 36, which is heavily exposed to contamination, can be easily removed from the exhaust gas treatment assembly 12 by opening its detachable connections to the second module M2 on the one hand and the fourth module M4 on the other. It can be cleaned or replaced with a new or clean particulate filter assembly. Since the modules M2 and M5 containing the respective catalyst units or catalyst blocks can also be removed as such from the exhaust gas treatment assembly 12, it is also possible, if necessary, to clean the catalyst units or catalyst blocks present in these modules or to insert new modules M2, M5 into the exhaust gas treatment assembly 12.

[0046] Despite the compact design, only a comparatively low back pressure is generated in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement 12 when exhaust gas flows through, which is particularly contributed to by the fact that the second exhaust gas treatment section 68, which takes over the essential part of the nitrogen oxide reduction, comprises two main SCR catalyst units 72, 74 through which flow can occur in parallel.

[0047] Since the areas where the various modules M1 to M5 connect to each other and are detachably connected in the manner described above are generally freely accessible from the outside, it is easy to visually inspect these areas of the detachable connection between the various modules and check for leaks. Furthermore, this free accessibility also allows the use of conventional tools to open or create the detachable connection between the various modules.

Claims

1. A modularly constructed exhaust gas treatment arrangement, comprising: - an entry interface (18) for receiving exhaust gas (A) in the exhaust gas treatment arrangement (12), - a first mixing section (14), - a first exhaust gas treatment section (32) having a first catalytic converter arrangement (34) and a particle filter arrangement (36), - a second mixing section (56), - a second exhaust gas treatment section (68) having a second catalytic converter arrangement (70), - a first deflection housing (30), which connects an exit area (28) of the first mixing section (14) to an entry area of the first exhaust gas treatment section (32), - a second deflection housing (48), which connects an exit area (46) of the first exhaust gas treatment section (32) to an entry area (58) of the second mixing section (56), - a third deflection housing (66), which connects an exit area (64) of the second mixing section (56) to an entry area of the second exhaust gas treatment section (68), characterized in that: - a first module (M1) comprises the entry interface (18) and the first mixing section (14), - a second module (M2) comprises the first deflection housing (30) and the first catalytic converter arrangement (34) of the first exhaust gas treatment section (32), wherein the second module (M2) is detachably connected to the first module (M1), - a third module (M3) comprises the particle filter arrangement (36) of the first exhaust gas treatment section (32), wherein the third module (M3) is detachably connected to the second module (M2), - a fourth module (M4) comprises the second deflection housing (48), wherein the fourth module (M4) is detachably connected to the third module (M3), - a fifth module (M5) comprises the second mixing section (56), the third deflection housing (66), and the second exhaust gas treatment section (68), wherein the fifth module (M5) is detachably connected to the fourth module (M4).

2. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one module of the first module (M1), second module (M2), third module (M3), fourth module (M4), and fifth module (M5) is detachably connected to at least one further module of the first module (M1), second module (M2), third module (M3), fourth module (M4), and fifth module (M5) by a screw connection and / or a clamp connection.

3. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the exit area (28) of the first mixing section (14) is detachably connected to an entry area (31) of the first deflection housing (30).

4. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that an exit area (44) of the first catalytic converter arrangement (34) is detachably connected to an entry area (42) of the particle filter arrangement (36).

5. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that an exit area (46) of the particle filter arrangement (36) is detachably connected to an entry area (50) of the second deflection housing (48).

6. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that an exit area (52) of the second deflection housing (48) is detachably connected to the entry area (58) of the second mixing section (56).

7. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the first catalytic converter arrangement (34) comprises a pre-SCR catalytic converter unit (38), and the first module (M1) has a first reaction agent interface (22) for receiving a first reaction agent dispensing arrangement (24).

8. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the first reaction agent interface (22) is provided in the area of the entry area (16) of the first mixing section (14).

9. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the first catalytic converter arrangement (34) comprises an oxidation catalytic converter unit (40).

10. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the second catalytic converter arrangement (70) comprises at least one main SCR catalytic converter unit (72, 74), and the fourth module (M4) has a second reaction agent interface (60) for receiving a second reaction agent dispensing arrangement (62).

11. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the second catalytic converter arrangement (70) comprises two main SCR catalytic converter units (72, 74) connected in parallel to one another.

12. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that in the circumferential direction around a longitudinal center axis of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement (12), one of the main SCR catalytic converter units (72, 74) follows the first exhaust gas treatment section (32), the second mixing section (56) follows the one main SCR catalytic converter unit of the two main SCR catalytic converter units (72, 74), the other main SCR catalytic converter unit of the two main SCR catalytic converter units (72, 74) follows the second mixing section (56), and the first exhaust gas treatment section (32) follows the other main SCR catalytic converter unit of the two main SCR catalytic converter units (72, 74).

13. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the first mixing section (14) is elongated in the direction of a first mixing section longitudinal axis (LM1) essentially parallel to an exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA), the second mixing section (56) is elongated in the direction of a second mixing section longitudinal axis (LM2) essentially parallel to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA), the first exhaust gas treatment section (32) is elongated in the direction of a first exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal axis (LA1) essentially parallel to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA), the second exhaust gas treatment section (68) is elongated in the direction of a second exhaust gas treatment section longitudinal axis (LA2) essentially parallel to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA), and the first mixing section (14), the second mixing section (56), the first exhaust gas treatment section (32), and the second exhaust gas treatment section (68) are arranged overlapping one another in the direction of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA).

14. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the first deflection housing (30) and the third deflection housing (66) are arranged in a first axial end area (82) of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement (12) with respect to an exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA), and the second deflection housing (48) is arranged in a second axial end area (84) with respect to the exhaust gas treatment arrangement longitudinal axis (LA).

15. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that an exit housing (76) is provided, wherein an exit area of the second exhaust gas treatment section (68) is open to the exit housing (76), and an exit interface (80) for emitting exhaust gas (A) from the exhaust gas treatment arrangement (12) is provided on the exit housing (76).

16. The exhaust gas treatment arrangement as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that at least a part of the second mixing section (56) extends in the interior of the exit housing (76).

17. An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an exhaust gas treatment arrangement (12) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.