Exhaust Flow Directing Device for Reducing Reductant Deposits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust aftertreatment systems for diesel engines face challenges in reducing reductant deposit formation, which affects the reliability and emission control efficiency of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.

Innovation Solution

An exhaust flow directing device is integrated into the exhaust aftertreatment system to efficiently mix exhaust gas and reductant by directing at least a portion of the exhaust flow toward the reductant injector, creating a shear force that reduces reductant deposit formation and minimizes exhaust gas recirculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reductant is injected into the exhaust stream to reduce NOx emissions, then emission control effectiveness is improved, but reductant deposit formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission control effectivenessVSAvoidreductant deposit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flow director device is introduced as an intermediary component between the reductant injector and the exhaust stream. This device redirects exhaust flow to enhance mixing with injected reductant, preventing deposit formation while maintaining emission control effectiveness. The flow director acts as a mediator that optimizes the interaction between exhaust gas and reductant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the flow dynamics parameters by redirecting exhaust flow patterns through the flow director. By modifying the velocity distribution and flow direction, the system enhances mixing efficiency and prevents reductant deposits without compromising NOx reduction performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If reductant is injected into the exhaust stream, then NOx reduction is achieved, but mixing efficiency decreases leading to deposit formation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNOx reduction capabilityVSAvoidmixing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow director serves as an intermediary that actively enhances mixing by redirecting exhaust flow toward the reductant injection zone. This intermediary device creates favorable flow conditions that improve mixing efficiency while maintaining the chemical reduction process effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by leveraging exhaust gas flow dynamics to enhance mixing. The flow director manipulates gas flow patterns, creating shear forces and turbulence that promote efficient mixing between exhaust gas and injected reductant without requiring additional mechanical mixing devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Device complexity

If conventional exhaust flow paths are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but reductant deposit formation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidreductant deposit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow director divides the exhaust flow into different path segments, creating a first flow path through the device and a second flow path around it. This segmentation allows optimization of mixing zones while maintaining overall system simplicity and avoiding complex multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution effectively reduces reductant deposit formation, enhancing the reliability and emission control capabilities of the exhaust aftertreatment system while maintaining exhaust flow to the SCR catalysts.

Implementation Method 1

creating a shear force that reduces reductant deposit formation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP2860369B1System and device for reducing reductant deposit formation in exhaust aftertreatment systems
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP2860369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2860369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2860369B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B

AI summary

System and apparatus are disclosed for reducing reductant deposit formation in an exhaust aftertreatment system. A directing device is provided in the exhaust flow path upstream of a reductant opening into the exhaust flow path. The directing device is configured to direct an exhaust flow toward the reductant opening and around the directing device to effectively mix the exhaust flow with a reductant provided through the reductant opening to reduce the formation of reductant deposits.