Induction Heating Tank for AdBlue Thawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently thawing frozen aqueous urea solutions used for selective catalytic reduction, as conventional electrical heaters are prone to premature aging and corrosion when exposed to AdBlue, limiting heating rates and system reliability, especially at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The use of an induction heating system within the tank, employing a metallic heating element and a magnetization coil to induce eddy currents in a metal body, which heats the urea solution without exposing plastic components to corrosive AdBlue, thus avoiding the need for protective layers and ensuring robust and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical heaters are used in the tank, then heating function is provided, but the heaters are prone to premature aging and corrosion when exposed to AdBlue, limiting heating rates and system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical resistance heating elements with an induction heating system. The induction heater comprises a magnetization coil that generates an alternating magnetic field to induce eddy currents in a metal body (heating element), which then generates heat through resistive heating of the metal itself. This eliminates the need for electrical contacts and wiring inside the tank that would be exposed to corrosive AdBlue, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal body (heating element) acts as an intermediary between the magnetization coil and the AdBlue solution. The coil generates magnetic fields outside the tank or through the tank wall, the metal body converts this to heat through eddy currents, and then heats the AdBlue through thermal conduction. This intermediary approach protects the electrical components from direct contact with corrosive AdBlue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic protective layers are used to protect heating elements from AdBlue, then corrosion protection is provided, but the protective layers limit the heating rates that can be used routinely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for plastic protective layers by replacing electrical resistance heating elements with induction heating. The heating element is a metal body that is inherently resistant to AdBlue corrosion, and the heating is achieved through electromagnetic induction rather than direct electrical contact. This allows for higher heating rates without the degradation issues associated with plastic encapsulation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical contacts of the heating arrangement are protected from corrosive effects with elastomer seals, then corrosion protection is provided, but the seals limit the heating rates due to aging behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates electrical contacts inside the tank by using induction heating. The magnetization coil is positioned outside the tank or through non-corrosive tank walls, and the heating element is a metal body that does not require electrical connections within the AdBlue environment. This eliminates the need for elastomer seals and their associated aging and heating rate limitations.
4Ease of manufacture
If the tank uses conventional heating elements, then heating function is provided, but additional measures are needed to protect electrical control against corrosive AdBlue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the overall system by replacing conventional electrical heating elements with an induction heating system. The metal body heating element requires no electrical connections inside the tank, eliminating the need for complex protective measures such as sealed compartments, corrosion-resistant coatings, or isolated electrical control systems. The only electrical components are the magnetization coil and control electronics located outside the tank.
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 allows for efficient and reliable thawing of frozen AdBlue, ensuring the exhaust gas aftertreatment system functions promptly at low temperatures, with improved heating rates and extended component lifespan, while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility and preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
induction heating, ie inductive heating of a metallically conductive body inside the tank via an alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
employing a metallic heating element and a magnetization coil to induce eddy currents in a metal body
Implementation Method 3
heats the urea solution without exposing plastic components to corrosive AdBlue
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a tank arrangement and an exhaust gas treatment arrangement having a tank arrangement for storing a fluid, having a tank wall (4, 5), wherein the tank wall (5) separates an inner chamber (6) of the tank arrangement that can be filled with a fluid (15) from an outer chamber (8), and having a heating arrangement (10) for heating the fluid, wherein the heating arrangement comprises a heating element (9, 109) disposed in the inner chamber, wherein the heating arrangement (10) is designed to inductively heat the heating element (9, 109), wherein an magnetization unit (7, 21; 7, 21, 115, 118) of the heating arrangement (10) that can be electrically actuated is disposed in the outer chamber (8) adjacent to the heating element (9, 109), and wherein the tank wall is made of electrically non-conductive or only insignificantly conductive plastic, and therefore inductive heating of the fluid (15) can take place substantially by means of the heating element (9).