Dynamic NOx Setpoint Adjustment for Diesel Exhaust Depollution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing NOx emissions from diesel engines, such as selective catalytic reduction, face challenges when operating in low temperatures, leading to excessive reducing agent usage that can exceed device limits and reduce system lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically adjusts the NOx setpoint based on outside temperature, using a computer system to measure actual NOx production and inject a reducing agent compatible with physical limits, ensuring compliance with emission standards while prolonging system durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If selective catalytic reduction is used to treat NOx emissions, then NOx removal efficiency is improved, but reducing agent consumption increases excessively in low temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx emissionsVSAvoidreducing agent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the reducing agent injection rate based on real-time operating conditions (temperature, load, air-to-fuel ratio). The control system continuously adapts the injection rate to match actual NOx production, preventing excessive consumption during cold operation while maintaining effective NOx removal during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from a fixed injection rate to a variable injection rate that responds to operating conditions. By monitoring temperature and other parameters, the system adjusts the reducing agent injection rate to optimize the balance between NOx removal efficiency and reducing agent consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If large flows of reducing agent are injected to treat high NOx production in low temperatures, then NOx removal efficiency is improved, but device lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx emissionsVSAvoiddepollution device lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the reducing agent injection rate based on actual operating conditions rather than using a fixed high rate. This prevents unnecessary exposure of the catalyst to excessive reducing agent flows that would accelerate degradation, thereby extending device lifespan while maintaining NOx removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses feedback from sensors monitoring temperature, load, and air-to-fuel ratio to adjust the reducing agent injection rate in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures the injection rate matches actual NOx production, preventing excessive reducing agent exposure that would harm the catalyst and reduce its lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If reducing agent injection is controlled to match stoichiometric proportions, then treatment efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to instantaneous NOx measurement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses readily available sensor data (temperature, load, air-to-fuel ratio) that are already part of the engine management system to determine reducing agent injection rates. This approach avoids the need for additional instantaneous NOx measurement devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective treatment through self-service utilization of existing system data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively reduces NOx emissions while extending the lifespan of depollution devices by optimizing reducing agent usage according to temperature-dependent NOx production, ensuring compliance with emission standards and reducing agent consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The removal of NOx from the exhaust gases can be carried out by different methods... treatment of the nitrogen oxides... at least partially implemented in a catalyst disposed in the exhaust line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

selective catalytic reduction which consists of injecting a NOx reducing solution... 4NH3 + 4NO + O2 → 4N2 + 6H2O... 2NH3 + NO + NO2 → 2N2 + 3H2O

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP3043041B1Method for treating nitrogen oxides emitted from an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3043041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3043041B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3043041B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for depolluting exhaust gases from an engine comprising an exhaust line, this depollution method being at least partially implemented in a catalyst, and comprising the steps of: - determining a quantity of nitrogen oxides actually produced by the engine, - determining a setpoint for the quantity of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases not to be exceeded at the exhaust outlet, - comparing the quantity of nitrogen oxides actually produced with this setpoint, and if the quantity of nitrogen oxides actually produced by the engine is greater than this setpoint, treating the nitrogen oxides, as long as the quantity of nitrogen oxides actually produced is greater than the setpoint, characterized in that the setpoint is determined as a function of the outside temperature.