Exhaust Gas Heating Device for Turbocharged Engine Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current exhaust gas cleaning systems in turbocharged internal combustion engines face challenges in reliably regenerating particle filters across all operating states, particularly at low temperatures, leading to inefficient NO2 formation and potential damage from excessive temperature increases during active regeneration, and require additional components like hydrocarbon addition or external air supply for heating.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a heating device connected to the exhaust tract upstream of the exhaust gas purification system, which can be supplied with air from the boost pressure line even at low boost pressures, allowing for controlled temperature increase using existing engine components and oxygen-rich conditions, eliminating the need for external air supply and minimizing fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a particulate filter is used to minimize carbon-containing fine particles, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but exhaust back pressure increases and engine power decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle removal efficiencyVSAvoidengine power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the exhaust gas by adding hydrocarbons to promote NO oxidation to NO2, thereby enhancing the chemical activity for particle oxidation without changing the physical structure of the filter, thus maintaining low back pressure while improving particle removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an NO oxidation catalyst is added upstream of the particulate filter to form NO2, then passive regeneration capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassive regeneration capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the engine's own hydrocarbon emissions (from incomplete combustion) as the oxidizing agent for particle regeneration, eliminating the need for separate NO oxidation catalysts or external regeneration systems. The system serves itself by converting harmful HC emissions into useful oxidizing agents for filter regeneration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of exhaust gas by promoting NO to NO2 conversion through hydrocarbon addition, altering the oxidation potential of the exhaust gas to enable effective particle oxidation without adding complex catalytic components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If active regeneration with hydrocarbon addition is used to increase exhaust gas temperature, then particle oxidation efficiency is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle oxidation efficiencyVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts harmful hydrocarbon emissions (which would otherwise be pollutants) into beneficial oxidizing agents for particle regeneration. By utilizing HC that result from incomplete combustion, the system transforms a harmful byproduct into a useful resource for maintaining filter performance, avoiding additional fuel consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the engine's own hydrocarbon emissions to perform the regeneration function, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external fuel sources or additional energy input beyond what is already present in the exhaust gas composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If external air supply is used for heating during active regeneration, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the engine's own exhaust gas as the heating medium, eliminating the need for external air supply systems. The hot exhaust gas naturally circulating through the system provides sufficient heat for particle oxidation, making the regeneration process self-sufficient without complex external heating infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust gas serves multiple functions: it provides the heating medium for particle oxidation, carries the hydrocarbon oxidizing agents, and maintains atmospheric pressure throughout the system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air supply and heating systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures reliable regeneration of exhaust gas cleaning devices and effective conversion of exhaust components in all engine operating states without additional complexity or fuel inefficiency, maintaining system stability and performance.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device which can be switched on as needed is provided, which is supplied with air from the boost pressure line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

an oxidation catalyst located upstream of the particle separator or the particle filter oxidizes the nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the exhaust gas to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with the help of the residual oxygen (O2) also present

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

The NO2 reacts with the carbon-containing fine particles in the particulate filter to form CO, CO2, N2, and NO. With the help of the strong oxidizing agent NO2, the accumulated fine particles are continuously removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

Such particulate separators differ from particulate filters in that the exhaust gas flow is guided along the separator structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow separation:

Data Source

PatentEP2743470B1Method and apparatus for raising the exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust pipe of a turbocharged internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2743470B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves supplying defined or sufficient amount of charging air into a burner (10) from a boost pressure line (2) of the internal combustion engine (1), if boost pressure is high. The air heated by burner is supplied to exhaust line(7) arranged upstream of exhaust gas purification unit (8). The waste gas stream from exhaust line (13) arranged upstream of exhaust turbine (5), is supplied to the burner, if the boost pressure is not so high during operating state of the internal combustion engine. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) device for increasing exhaust gas temperature in exhaust gas system of turbocharged internal combustion engine; and (2) internal combustion engine for motor car.