Reductant Filter Module with Vertical Venting for SCR Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current SCR systems for reducing NOx emissions in internal combustion engines face issues with reductant delivery, including gas entrainment in filtration systems leading to pump failure and performance interruptions, which can result in inadequate NOx conversion and non-compliance with emission standards.
Innovation Solution
A reductant filtration system with a filter module having a nested filter configuration and a venting port positioned higher than the outlet port to allow gas bubbles to float and vent without interfering with the reductant flow, ensuring filtered, degasified reductant is delivered to the pump, thereby preventing pump failure and maintaining system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If higher degree of reductant filtration is used, then reductant purity is improved, but gas entrainment increases leading to pump failure
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple filter elements arranged in parallel, allowing the reductant stream to be segmented into multiple paths. This reduces gas entrainment in each individual path while maintaining overall filtration effectiveness, preventing pump failure caused by gas accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter elements are arranged in a vertically extended configuration within the filter housing, creating additional vertical space for gas bubbles to rise and escape. This dimensional arrangement allows gravity to separate gas from liquid reductant before the filtered stream reaches the pump, resolving the contradiction between filtration quality and pump reliability.
2Productivity
If reductant filtration is implemented, then NOx conversion efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter elements are merged into a single integrated filter housing assembly that functions as one unified component. This consolidation provides comprehensive filtration for improved NOx conversion while presenting a single replaceable unit, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the multiple internal filter elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter housing serves multiple functions: it contains and supports multiple filter elements, provides structural mounting in the reductant delivery system, and facilitates easy replacement of the entire filter assembly. This multi-functionality achieves effective filtration without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If filter module height is increased to at least 50 mm, then gas venting capability is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter module utilizes the vertical dimension extensively, with filter elements and gas venting pathways arranged vertically to maximize gas separation efficiency within a compact horizontal footprint. The height of at least 50 mm provides sufficient vertical space for gas bubbles to rise and escape while keeping the overall module volume manageable through optimized vertical stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple filter elements are nested within the filter housing in a space-efficient arrangement, with each element positioned to maximize utilization of the available vertical volume. This nested configuration achieves effective gas separation and filtration without excessive increase in module volume, balancing reliability and compactness.
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
The solution effectively prevents gas entrainment in the reductant stream, ensuring consistent reductant delivery and enhancing the NOx conversion efficiency of SCR systems, thereby meeting stringent emission standards.
Implementation Method 1
filtering the reductant with a filter module to provide filtered reductant
Implementation Method 2
venting port positioned higher than the outlet port to allow gas bubbles to float and vent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An internal combustion engine system (10) comprising a reductant delivery system (30) in reductant supplying communication with combustion exhaust, the reductant delivery system (30) comprisinga reductant tank (32) containing reductant, a doser (36) that supplies reductant to the combustion exhaust, a reductant pump (34) that draws reductant from the reductant tank (32) and delivers the reductant to the doser (36), a filter module (100) positioned within the reductant tank (32) to filter the reductant, the filter module (100) comprising a venting port (210) positioned to release entrained gas from the filter module (100) to restrict entry of entrained gas into the reductant pump (34) and a venting line (102). The filter module (100) is positioned adjacent to a bottom wall of the reductant tank (32) and the venting line (102) extends substantially vertically to convey the gas from the venting port (210) through the reductant in the reductant tank (32) to a gas reservoir above the reductant within the reductant tank (32).