Particulate Filter Soot Burn Rate Control via Oxygen Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for regenerating particulate filters in combustion engines are primarily designed for diesel engines and lack efficient control over soot load and temperature during the regeneration process, which can lead to extreme conditions that degrade the filter.
Innovation Solution
A method that monitors exhaust gas temperature and introduces additional oxygen upstream of the particulate filter in controlled pulses to manage soot burn rate, maintaining the filter temperature between 250°C and 900°C, thereby extending the filter's lifespan and preventing degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional oxygen is introduced continuously to accelerate soot burn rate, then soot removal efficiency is improved, but filter temperature exceeds safe limits causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by introducing additional oxygen in pulsed manner rather than continuously. The control unit switches the additional oxygen supply on and off at defined intervals, creating periodic oxidation cycles that control temperature while maintaining soot burn rate. This resolves the contradiction by providing oxygen intermittently to prevent temperature runaway while still achieving effective soot removal over time.
2Loss of time
If additional oxygen is introduced to maintain high soot burn rate, then regeneration speed is improved, but extreme temperature conditions degrade the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring filter temperature with a temperature sensor and using this information to control the additional oxygen supply. The control unit adjusts oxygen introduction based on real-time temperature measurements, ensuring temperature remains within safe operating limits while maintaining effective soot burn rate. This feedback mechanism prevents temperature-related degradation and extends filter lifespan while achieving complete regeneration.
3Productivity
If high oxygen concentration is supplied to increase oxidation rate, then soot load control is improved, but temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the oxygen supply system adjustable and controllable. The control unit dynamically adjusts the additional oxygen supply based on real-time soot load and temperature conditions. The system transitions between different oxygen supply states (off, pulsed, continuous at varying rates) to optimize oxidation while maintaining temperature control, resolving the contradiction between high oxidation rate and temperature control.
4Reliability
If existing diesel-only regeneration methods are used, then diesel filter performance is improved, but gasoline engines cannot benefit from this technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a regeneration system that can be applied to both diesel and gasoline engines. The control method monitors exhaust conditions and activates additional oxygen supply based on universal parameters (temperature, soot load) rather than engine-specific characteristics. This allows the same system to effectively regenerate filters in different engine types, expanding applicability while maintaining reliability.
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 method effectively controls soot load and maintains optimal filter conditions, ensuring safe regeneration and extending the particulate filter's lifetime by precisely managing the soot burning process, applicable to both diesel and gasoline engines without additional hardware costs.
Implementation Method 1
use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or a catalytic diesel particulate filter (CDPF) to trap soot particulates in diesel exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
An electric heater is installed in the secondary air upstream part about the filter
Implementation Method 3
a secondary air pump is provided as the at least one additional component for controlling the soot burn rate by introducing an additional oxygen containing gas into the exhaust stream
Implementation Method 4
These increases cause oxidation of the soot remaining near the entrance and the sides of the CDPF
Implementation Method 5
ignites the particulates collected by the filter and starts the supply of the secondary air so that the burn-out of the collected particulates is started
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method (10) of burning soot in an exhaust particulate filter (11) of a combustion engine (12) to regenerate the particulate filter (11) and to a vehicle, adapted to perform this method (10). Thus a method (10) of burning soot in an exhaust particulate filter (11) of a combustion engine (12) is provided, in which at least the temperature of the exhaust gas is monitored (31) and in which burning of soot is initiated (37) by introducing additional oxygen into the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter (11) when the temperature of the exhaust gas exceeds a given level wherein a soot burn rate is controlled by the amount of additional oxygen that is introduced into the exhaust gas.