Annular Exhaust Heat Exchanger with Radial Catalyst Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently treating exhaust gases, particularly at low temperatures and during start-up, due to the need for effective pollutant removal and energy recovery, which existing heat exchangers often fail to address efficiently and require additional space.
Innovation Solution
A compact exhaust gas system component featuring an annular heat exchanger and catalyst body with radial flow paths, allowing for efficient heat transfer and catalytic reaction, potentially eliminating the need for additional cooling media and reducing space requirements, by using the heat exchanger to warm exhaust gas and facilitate catalytic reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat exchanger is used to heat exhaust gas or recover energy, then exhaust gas temperature increases and energy is recovered, but additional space is required which is difficult to provide in motor vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst body is nested inside the heat exchanger structure. The exhaust gas flows through the heat exchanger in an axial direction, then radially through the catalyst body which is positioned within the heat exchanger housing, creating a compact integrated structure that eliminates the need for separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger and catalyst body are merged into a single integrated component. The heat exchanger serves dual purposes: heating the exhaust gas and housing the catalyst body for pollutant conversion, thereby reducing the overall number of components and space requirements
2Temperature
If a heat exchanger is used to heat exhaust gas, then catalytic conversion of pollutants is facilitated, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient in known heat exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas flow transitions from a single axial direction to a two-dimensional flow pattern that includes both axial and radial components. The gas flows axially through the heat exchanger, then radially through the catalyst body, increasing the contact area and heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into distinct axial and radial sections. The heat exchanger has an axial flow path for initial heating, then the exhaust gas is directed radially through the catalyst body, creating multiple flow segments that enhance heat transfer and catalytic reaction efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient heat transfer and pollutant conversion at lower exhaust gas temperatures, reducing the need for additional heating measures and minimizing space usage, thus enhancing exhaust gas treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transferred between hot exhaust gas and a cooler heat-exchanger medium
Implementation Method 2
exhaust gas leaving the inlet can flow in an axial direction and along a first flow path through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
catalytic conversion of pollutants
Implementation Method 4
exothermic reaction of the exhaust gas with the catalytically active constituents of the catalyst body
Data Source
AI summary
A component of an exhaust gas system and a method for exhaust gas after-treatment having a housing with an inlet and an outlet for an exhaust gas, an annular heat exchanger through which the exhaust gas can flow from the inlet in an axial direction and along a first flow path. Downstream of the heat exchanger, an annular catalyst body is arranged inside the heat exchanger and through which the exhaust gas can flow in a radial direction, such that, downstream of the catalyst body, the exhaust gas flows through the heat exchanger in the radial direction and along a second flow path.