Preheating Emissions Control Devices Using Flow and Heating Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines experience reduced effectiveness in emissions control due to lower temperatures during startup, known as cold start emissions, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that preheats emissions control components using a flow control device and a heating element to provide convectively heated fluid flow before engine startup, creating an auxiliary path for fluid flow to bypass the engine cylinders and heat emissions control devices such as catalytic converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If turbines are introduced into the exhaust gas flow to improve engine efficiency, then engine efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the exhaust gas is reduced and the effectiveness of downstream emissions controls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element preheats the exhaust gas or air before it reaches the emissions control devices, ensuring that the catalysts are at the required temperature for effective operation even when turbine-induced cooling is present
2Productivity
If turbines are introduced into the exhaust gas flow, then engine efficiency is improved, but the effectiveness of downstream emissions controls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element acts as an intermediary component between the turbine and the emissions control devices, providing the necessary thermal energy to maintain catalyst temperature and ensure effective emissions control despite the turbine's cooling effect
3Object-generated harmful factors
If emissions control devices are used to reduce engine emissions, then emissions are reduced, but the devices require high temperatures to function effectively which is not available during cold startup
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element activates before engine startup to preheat the emissions control devices, bringing the catalysts to their light-off temperature so they are ready to immediately reduce emissions when the engine starts
4Temperature
If heating elements are activated upstream of emissions control components to heat fluid flow, then emissions control device temperature is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates periodically or intermittently rather than continuously, activating only when preheating is needed (such as before startup or when catalyst temperature drops below threshold) to reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining emissions control effectiveness
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 cold start emissions by raising the temperature of emissions control devices before engine startup, enhancing their performance and reducing emissions by ensuring catalysts reach light-off temperatures sooner.
Implementation Method 1
activating a heating element upstream of the emissions control component to heat the fluid flow to the emissions control component
Implementation Method 2
operating a flow control device to provide the fluid flow through the path
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for preheating emissions control devices prior to engine startup using a heating element and a flow control device operable to provide a fluid flow, such as a compressor or a turbine. One exemplary method of heating an emissions control component prior to engine startup involves opening or otherwise operating a valve to provide a path for fluid flow to the emissions control component, operating a flow control device to provide the fluid flow through the path, and activating a heating element upstream of the emissions control component to heat the fluid flow to the emissions control component.