Ammonia Slip Catalyst Oxygen Sensing for N2O and NH3 Slip Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust aftertreatment systems face challenges in detecting and mitigating laughing gas (N2O) emissions and ammonia slip from ammonia slip catalysts, as these emissions are difficult to measure and can occur undetected, posing health and environmental risks.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that utilizes upstream and downstream oxygen concentration information, along with temperature and NOx concentration data, to determine the condition of an ammonia slip catalyst, enabling improved detection and quantification of N2O production and ammonia slip, and adjusts reductant injection to mitigate these emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If ammonia slip catalyst is used to prevent ammonia slip emissions, then ammonia slip is reduced, but laughing gas (N2O) emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia slip emissionsVSAvoidlaughing gas emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters (temperature, oxygen concentration, NOx levels) to identify N2O production conditions and adjusts reductant injection accordingly to mitigate N2O emissions while maintaining ammonia slip control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from oxygen concentration measurements (upstream and downstream of ASC) and temperature data to detect N2O production conditions and adjusts reductant injection in response to these detected conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If reductant injection is increased to improve NOx conversion in SCR, then NOx conversion efficiency improves, but ammonia slip from ASC increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx conversion efficiencyVSAvoidammonia slip emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts reductant injection parameters based on detected N2O production conditions and ammonia slip risk, optimizing the balance between NOx conversion efficiency and ammonia slip prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from oxygen concentration measurements and temperature data to detect conditions that may lead to excessive ammonia slip and adjusts reductant injection in response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If traditional emission detection methods are used, then common emissions can be monitored, but laughing gas and ammonia slip remain undetected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon emission detectionVSAvoidlaughing gas and ammonia slip detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses oxygen concentration measurements as an intermediary indicator to indirectly detect N2O production conditions, since direct N2O measurement is difficult. By measuring oxygen consumption in the ASC, the system infers N2O production without directly measuring it

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct chemical measurement methods with indirect sensing using oxygen concentration sensors and temperature measurements, combined with computational analysis to detect N2O production conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the detection and mitigation of N2O and ammonia slip emissions by providing informed engine control decisions, reducing overall emissions through adaptive reductant management.

Implementation Method 1

an ammonia slip catalyst may be arranged downstream of the SCR component for further selective oxidation of ammonia into harmless nitrogen and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

The SCR component brings a reductant, such as an urea or ammonia (NH3) solution, into reaction with NOx of the exhaust gases, leading to chemical reactions that convert NOx and ammonia to harmless nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reactions: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a problem associated with ammonia slip catalysts may be that it can generate laughing gas (N2O)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP4650578A1A system and a method for determining a condition of an ammonia slip catalyst
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4650578A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650578A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650578A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a computer system (400) for determining a condition of an ammonia slip catalyst (101) of a vehicle (1), the computer system (400) comprising processing circuitry (402) configured to: - obtain upstream oxygen concentration information indicative of an oxygen concentration of exhaust gases upstream of said ammonia slip catalyst (101) and downstream oxygen concentration information indicative of an oxygen concentration of exhaust gases downstream of said ammonia slip catalyst (101); and [001] determine whether or not the ammonia slip catalyst (101) is in an N2O production condition based on said upstream oxygen concentration information and said downstream oxygen concentration information.