Partial-Flow Exhaust Gas Line Thermal Coupling for SCR Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines, particularly lean-burn engines, face challenges in achieving quantitative reduction of nitrogen oxides using SCR catalytic converters due to varying operating conditions, which can lead to inefficient use of reducing agents and potential corrosion from backflow of ammonia and its by-products, affecting engine efficiency and material integrity.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that involve branching the exhaust gas flow into a partial and residual stream, with thermal coupling to a hot exhaust gas stream upstream of the turbocharger to ensure efficient decomposition of reducing agents, preventing backflow and corrosion, and utilizing a combination of catalysts and oxidation converters to optimize nitrogen oxide reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the partial exhaust gas flow is extracted close to the engine to operate the hydrolysis catalytic converter at high temperature, then the decomposition of reducing agent is improved, but exhaust gas can reverse flow direction into the engine block causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas temperatureVSAvoidcorrosion of engine parts
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas flow is divided into a partial flow and a main flow. The partial flow is extracted through a branch line to be heated separately and mixed back, allowing temperature control in the heating section without exposing the engine block to hot gases that could cause corrosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mixing section is introduced as an intermediary between the heated partial exhaust gas flow and the main exhaust gas flow. This mixing section allows gradual temperature equalization and prevents direct contact of hot reducing agents with the engine block, thereby avoiding corrosion while maintaining decomposition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If oxidation catalytic converter is arranged upstream of the reducing agent metering device to prevent backflow corrosion, then material integrity is improved, but engine efficiency deteriorates due to reduced charging group efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial integrityVSAvoidengine efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxidation catalytic converter function is extracted from the main exhaust path and integrated into the heating section where hot exhaust gases naturally flow. This allows oxidation to occur in a dedicated zone without creating additional flow resistance in the main exhaust path, preserving charging group efficiency while still preventing corrosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function and oxidation catalytic converter function are merged into a single heating section. The hot exhaust gas flow serves dual purposes: heating the partial flow for reducing agent decomposition and providing oxidation environment for preventing corrosion, eliminating the need for separate components that would reduce engine efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If thermal coupling is implemented to heat the partial exhaust gas flow, then reducing agent decomposition is improved, but thermal losses to the environment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepartial exhaust gas temperatureVSAvoidthermal losses
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The partial exhaust gas flow line is nested within or alongside the heating section through which hot exhaust gases flow. This nested arrangement maximizes thermal contact between the hot gases and the partial flow without requiring additional insulation or protective structures, efficiently transferring heat while minimizing environmental thermal losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 ensures quantitative decomposition of reducing agents without significantly impairing engine efficiency, preventing corrosion, and enhancing nitrogen oxide reduction efficiency while minimizing thermal losses and maintaining engine performance.

Implementation Method 1

the partial-flow exhaust gas line is thermally coupled to at least one turbine line leading a hot exhaust gas stream to an exhaust gas turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal coupling: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

quantitative decomposition of the reducing agent is ensured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

thermolysis occurs first, i. H. the thermal decomposition of urea

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermolysis: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 4

SCR catalytic converter, wherein an exhaust pipe upstream of the SCR catalytic converter branches off

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 5

at least one turbine line leading a hot exhaust gas stream to an exhaust gas turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine expansion: Turbine

Data Source

PatentEP2166207B1Device and method for cleaning an exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine, in particular an lean burning internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2010.09.29 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2166207B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2166207B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2166207B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for cleaning an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine, in particular a lean-burn internal combustion engine, with at least one SCR catalyst (3) arranged in an exhaust gas stream (2) of an internal combustion engine, wherein an exhaust gas line (8) upstream of the SCR catalyst (3) branches at a junction (7) into a partial-flow exhaust gas line (9) and into a residual-flow exhaust gas line (8'), wherein the partial-flow exhaust gas line (9) is coupled to a reducing agent metering device (12) for metering a reducing agent (13) into the exhaust gas partial flow (18) guided in the partial-flow exhaust gas line (9), and wherein the partial-flow exhaust gas line (9) and the residual-flow exhaust gas line (8') are joined upstream of the junction (7) and upstream of the at least one SCR catalyst (3) at an exhaust gas line (8").According to the invention, the partial-flow exhaust gas line (9) is thermally coupled to a turbine line (15) leading a hot exhaust gas flow (16) to an exhaust gas turbine (16) of an exhaust gas turbocharger (4).