Fuel Additive and Injection Timing for Engine Emission Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling NOx and particulate emissions from combustion engines are inefficient, particularly under stringent emission standards, as they either increase CO2 production or require complex and costly post-treatment systems.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a fuel additive that promotes soot combustion during particle filter regeneration, combined with a calibrated fuel injection strategy that advances the main fuel injection before top dead center, minimizing CO2 emissions and using a NOx reduction catalyst upstream of the particle filter to manage increased NOx production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If fuel injection is advanced before top dead center to minimize CO2 emissions, then CO2 production is reduced, but NOx production increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 productionVSAvoidNOx emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An SCR catalyst is introduced as an intermediary component in the exhaust system that selectively reduces NOx emissions. The catalyst facilitates the chemical reaction between NOx and reducing agents (urea/ammonia) to convert harmful NOx into harmless N2 and H2O, thereby resolving the contradiction between CO2 minimization and NOx control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters by advancing fuel injection timing before top dead center to optimize combustion efficiency and minimize CO2. Simultaneously, it adjusts the exhaust gas temperature and chemical composition parameters to enable effective SCR catalysis, transforming the exhaust gas composition to reduce NOx while maintaining the advanced injection strategy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If post-treatment systems (SCR catalyst and particle filter) are added to meet emission standards, then NOx and particulate emissions are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant emissionsVSAvoidexhaust system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the SCR catalyst and particle filter into an integrated post-treatment system where the SCR catalyst is positioned upstream of the particle filter. This combined approach allows simultaneous treatment of NOx and particulate matter using a coordinated fuel injection strategy, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust treatment system is designed with multi-functionality where the SCR catalyst handles NOx reduction while the particle filter manages particulate matter. The unified control strategy manages both functions through a single calibration approach, allowing the system to address multiple emission types with a coordinated rather than fragmented architecture

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

3Reliability

If particle filter regeneration is performed by increasing exhaust temperature through fuel enrichment, then soot combustion is promoted, but CO2 emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle filter regenerationVSAvoidCO2 production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary fuel injection before top dead center to prepare the combustion chamber for efficient combustion. This advance injection ensures that when the main combustion occurs, the mixture is optimally prepared, reducing the need for post-combustion fuel enrichment and minimizing CO2 emissions during the regeneration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the combustion parameters by using advanced fuel injection timing and optimized air-fuel ratios to achieve complete combustion without requiring excessive fuel enrichment. This parameter optimization allows particle filter regeneration to occur with lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional approaches that rely on high-temperature fuel enrichment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach effectively reduces NOx emissions below stringent standards while minimizing CO2 production, achieving a significant CO2 gain of 4-8g/km and maintaining regulatory compliance, even under challenging engine conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an oxidation catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a NOx reduction catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

Ammonia reacts with NO x on a catalyst to form inert nitrogen N 2 and water H 2 O

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 4

a particle filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 5

a fuel comprising an additive promoting the combustion of soot during regenerations of the particle filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 6

a catalytic agent is used to facilitate the combustion of soot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2411648B1Method for monitoring pollutant emissions of a combustion engine
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2411648B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2411648B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the pollutant emissions of a combustion engine comprising at least one piston, the translatable movement of which defines a combustion chamber, said engine being combined with an exhaust line that, in the direction of exhaust gas flow, comprises an oxidation catalyst, an NOx reduction catalyst, and a particle filter, the method being characterized by the use of a fuel comprising an additive assisting in soot combustion when re-refined by the particle filter, and according to at least one operating mode of the engine, the fuel is injected in accordance with a calibration minimizing carbon dioxide discharges by the engine.