Particle Filter Water Injection for Exhaust Back Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of particle filters in internal combustion engines leads to increased exhaust back pressure, resulting in higher engine pumping work and specific fuel consumption, particularly due to particle accumulation and the need for active regeneration techniques, which are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising pressure sensors, a water injector, and a control unit that injects pressurized water into the particle filter to reduce pressure loss by restructuring accumulated particles, delaying the need for active regeneration without reducing filtering efficiency or particle mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If particle filters are used to retain soot particles, then pollutant emissions are controlled, but exhaust back pressure increases leading to higher fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic regeneration cycles to oxidize accumulated soot particles in the particle filter. The control unit monitors pressure loss across the filter and initiates regeneration when thresholds are exceeded, temporarily increasing fuel injection to create reducing conditions that burn off soot, thereby restoring filter permeability and reducing exhaust back pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between normal filtration mode and regeneration mode. During regeneration, the air-fuel ratio is modified to create reducing conditions that promote soot oxidation, temporarily altering engine operation to maintain long-term filter efficiency and acceptable pressure loss characteristics
2Reliability
If particle filters accumulate soot particles, then filtration efficiency is maintained, but pressure loss increases significantly affecting fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic regeneration cycles that oxidize accumulated soot particles. The control unit monitors pressure loss and initiates regeneration when thresholds are exceeded, temporarily increasing fuel injection to create reducing conditions that burn off soot, thereby restoring filter permeability and reducing exhaust back pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful accumulation of soot particles (which increases pressure loss) into a beneficial regeneration process. By monitoring soot accumulation through pressure sensors and initiating controlled oxidation when thresholds are exceeded, the system transforms the problematic soot buildup into a self-cleaning mechanism that restores filter performance
3Reliability
If active regeneration techniques are applied to oxidize accumulated particles, then soot particles are eliminated, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic regeneration cycles to oxidize accumulated soot particles in the particle filter. The control unit monitors pressure loss across the filter and initiates regeneration when thresholds are exceeded, temporarily increasing fuel injection to create reducing conditions that burn off soot, thereby restoring filter permeability and reducing exhaust back pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pressure sensors monitoring the pressure drop across the particle filter to determine when regeneration is needed. The control unit continuously measures pressure loss and compares it against predetermined thresholds, initiating regeneration only when necessary, thereby optimizing the balance between filter performance and fuel consumption
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 reduces exhaust back pressure, postpones the need for active regeneration, and minimizes fuel consumption by maintaining particle filter efficiency and extending its operational time before maintenance is required.
Implementation Method 1
a water injector located in the inlet region of the particle filter for injecting pressurized water towards said particle filter
Implementation Method 2
an injection pump arranged in said conduit for increasing water pressure to an injection pressure
Implementation Method 3
a first pressure sensor arranged at the inlet of the particle filter and a second pressure sensor arranged at the outlet of the particle filter, for determining a pressure loss
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a particle filter system for engines and a method for reducing pressure loss in said filter. The system comprises a filter in an exhaust line of the engine, a water injector at the inlet of the filter, a conduit between a water supply source and the injector, an injection pump, pressure sensors at the inlet and the outlet of the filter for determining a pressure loss in the filter, and a control unit for controlling the actuation of the pump. The method comprises detecting a pressure loss between the inlet and the outlet of the filter, injecting pressurized water into the inlet of the filter when the pressure loss reaches a permitted maximum value and controlling the operating conditions required for filter regeneration in order to re-start the soot accumulation process in the filter.