Coextruded Urea Pipeline with Countercurrent Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline systems for urea solutions in SCR systems of motor vehicles are inefficient and costly, as they fail to effectively prevent freezing and crystallization of urea at low temperatures, impeding the reliable supply of urea and subsequent nitrogen oxide reduction in exhaust gases.
Innovation Solution
A coextruded pipeline with an inner and outer thermoplastic tube, where the space between them is divided by webs to create channels for a temperature control medium, allowing for effective heating of the urea solution using a heated liquid medium, such as cooling water or recirculated fuel, in a countercurrent flow configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrical heating wires are arranged on or in the pipeline, then temperature control of urea solution is achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the pipeline structure itself by using the existing dual-tube design for heat exchange. The urea solution flows through the inner tube while heating medium flows through the outer tube, combining transport and heating functions in one integrated structure rather than adding separate heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses waste heat from the vehicle's cooling system or exhaust gas heat to warm the urea solution. The heating medium is drawn from existing system components (coolant from cooling system or heat from exhaust), allowing the urea heating function to serve itself using readily available thermal energy without requiring external heating sources.
2Temperature
If heating wires are used for urea solution heating, then temperature control is achieved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the pipeline structure itself by using the existing dual-tube design for heat exchange. The urea solution flows through the inner tube while heating medium flows through the outer tube, combining transport and heating functions in one integrated structure rather than adding separate heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses waste heat from the vehicle's cooling system or exhaust gas heat to warm the urea solution. The heating medium is drawn from existing system components (coolant from cooling system or heat from exhaust), allowing the urea heating function to serve itself using readily available thermal energy without requiring external heating sources.
3Reliability
If complex heating measures are implemented, then temperature control capability is improved, but system implementation becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the pipeline structure itself by using the existing dual-tube design for heat exchange. The urea solution flows through the inner tube while heating medium flows through the outer tube, combining transport and heating functions in one integrated structure rather than adding separate heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses waste heat from the vehicle's cooling system or exhaust gas heat to warm the urea solution. The heating medium is drawn from existing system components (coolant from cooling system or heat from exhaust), allowing the urea heating function to serve itself using readily available thermal energy without requiring external heating sources.
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 solution provides simple, cost-effective, and reliable temperature control for urea solutions, preventing freezing and ensuring continuous nitrogen oxide reduction without the need for expensive electrical heating methods, while maintaining mechanical strength and resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the inner tube and the outer tube made of thermoplastic material or essentially consist of thermoplastic material and wherein the aggregate of inner tube and outer tube is made by coextrusion
Implementation Method 2
at least one conduit for the fluid temperature control medium or for the fluid medium to be temperature-controlled being arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Pipeline (1) for a fluid medium to be tempered, preferably for urea solution to be tempered, comprises an inner tube (3) for the fluid to be tempered for a fluid medium or fluid heating medium, where inner tube is surrounded by an outer tube (7) and extends parallel to outer tube. At least one duct is arranged between inner tube and outer tube for fluid heating medium or fluid medium. The assembly of inner tube and outer tube is produced by co-extrusion. At least one co-extruded outer tube is provided, where the assembly of inner tube and outer tube is disposed in an outermost tube (8). Pipeline (1) for a fluid medium to be tempered, preferably for urea solution to be tempered, comprises an inner tube (3) for the fluid to be tempered for a fluid medium or fluid heating medium, where the inner tube is surrounded by an outer tube (7) and extends parallel to the outer tube. At least one duct is arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube for the fluid heating medium or for the fluid medium to be tempered. The assembly of the inner tube and the outer tube is produced by co-extrusion. At least one co-extruded outer tube is provided, where the assembly of the inner tube and outer tube is disposed in an outermost tube (8). The outer tube extends in the longitudinal direction of the unit and parallel to the assembly, where at least one outer conduit for the fluid heating medium is disposed between the outer tube and the outermost tube. The fluid medium to be tempered is accommodated or flows into the inner tube, and the fluid heating medium is accommodated or flows into conduit between the inner tube and the outermost tube. The heating medium initially flows through at least one duct between the inner tube and outermost tube in a first direction along the pipeline, and a deflecting region is provided for deflecting the heating medium into at least one outer conduit between outer tube and the outermost tube. The heating medium flows through at least an outer conduit in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the pipeline.