Predictive EATS Preconditioning for Cold-Start Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine systems face challenges in efficiently preconditioning exhaust aftertreatment systems, particularly at cold-start conditions, leading to increased energy consumption and emissions due to the need for rapid heating and high reductant usage, which can result in crystallization and reduced system effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses predicted vehicle operational information to determine the timing and extent of preconditioning based on cold-start emissions, thermally preconditioning components like the engine and exhaust aftertreatment systems, and optimizing the SCR catalyst's ammonia storage, thereby reducing unnecessary energy use and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the EATS is heated up fast to meet emission regulations, then emission conversion efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the EATS using exhaust gas recirculation before cold-start conditions occur. By anticipating the need for high temperature operation and preparing in advance, the system achieves rapid emission conversion efficiency without excessive energy consumption during actual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic exhaust gas recirculation to maintain EATS temperature within optimal ranges. By cycling the recirculation on and off based on temperature thresholds, the system achieves sustained emission conversion efficiency while minimizing continuous energy input.
2Reliability
If the engine and EATS are preconditioned before operation to increase temperature, then emission performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own exhaust gas to precondition and heat the EATS before operation. By recirculating hot exhaust gases through the EATS, the system achieves self-heating without external energy input, improving emission performance while avoiding additional energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas recirculation system serves multiple functions: it cools the engine during operation and simultaneously preheats the EATS before cold-start conditions. This multi-functionality allows the system to improve emission performance without requiring separate heating systems or additional energy input.
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 cold-start emissions by optimizing the preconditioning timing and energy usage, improving the efficiency of the engine system and exhaust aftertreatment processes, and enhancing the system's ability to meet stringent emission regulations.
Implementation Method 1
the preconditioning of the engine system is performed by heating a component or sub-system of the engine system in order to increase the temperature thereof
Implementation Method 2
A reductant, such as urea or an ammonia comprising substance, is typically injected upstream of the SCR catalyst to assist in converting nitrogen oxides, also referred to as NOx, with the aid of a catalyst into diatomic nitrogen, N2, and water
Implementation Method 3
the urea requires heat to evaporate and hydrolyse into ammonia
Implementation Method 4
the urea requires heat to evaporate and hydrolyse into ammonia
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preconditioning at least a part of an engine system of a vehicle. The engine system includes an engine and an exhaust aftertreatment system, EATS. The method providing predicted vehicle operational information comprising a vehicle operational initialization time and predicted engine operation, determining whether or not cold-start emissions of the predicted engine operation achieves a threshold criterium, in response to achieving the threshold criterium, preconditioning at least a part of the engine system such that at least said part of the engine system is preconditioned at a time of the vehicle operational initialization time.