Urea Composition with Paraffin for SCR Deposit Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SCR systems for diesel engine exhaust treatment face issues with deposit formation and foaming in urea-based solutions, leading to blockages and inaccurate metering, which are not adequately addressed by current additives.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous composition comprising urea and C20-C36 paraffins, stabilized by nonionic surfactants and emulsion stabilizers, is introduced to prevent deposit formation and reduce foaming, allowing precise metering and stable handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If urea is injected into the exhaust system for SCR treatment, then nitrogen oxides are reduced, but deposit formation occurs in the exhaust pipes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSCR treatment effectivenessVSAvoiddeposit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the urea and the exhaust pipe surface. The surfactant modifies the interaction between urea droplets and the pipe wall, preventing direct adhesion and deposit formation while allowing the SCR reaction to proceed effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical-chemical parameters of the urea solution are modified by adding surfactants. This changes the surface tension, wetting properties, and droplet behavior of the urea solution, preventing it from adhering to the pipe wall and forming deposits while maintaining its SCR functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If urea solution is handled in storage tanks, then urea is available for injection, but foaming occurs disrupting control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurea storage handlingVSAvoidinjection control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant acts as an intermediary that modifies the foam formation behavior of the urea solution. It controls the surface tension and bubble stability, preventing excessive foaming during tank filling and injection operations, thereby ensuring precise control of the injected amount.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If urea droplets settle on pipe wall due to limited vaporization time, then deposits form from incomplete decomposition, but higher temperatures are rarely reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaporization timeVSAvoidcyanuric acid deposits
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant serves as a protective intermediary layer between the urea droplets and the pipe wall. It prevents direct contact and adhesion of urea to the pipe surface, allowing complete vaporization and decomposition even within limited timeframes, thereby preventing cyanuric acid deposit formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 composition effectively reduces deposit formation in SCR systems, minimizes foaming, and enables precise control of urea injection, improving system efficiency and handling stability.

Implementation Method 1

it has been observed that some ammonia precursor solutions, particularly urea, with additives, tend to foam when introduced into the tank. This foaming hinders tank filling and can lead to overflow. Furthermore, this foaming can cause air to be injected into the system.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuppression of precipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

An aqueous composition comprising urea and C20-C36 paraffins, stabilized by nonionic surfactants and emulsion stabilizers, is introduced to prevent deposit formation and reduce foaming, allowing precise metering and stable handling.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant stabilization: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

The urea, injected at an average temperature generally ranging from 150 to 400°C, gradually hydrolyzes into gaseous ammonia.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 4

The urea, injected at an average temperature generally ranging from 150 to 400°C, gradually hydrolyzes into gaseous ammonia.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP3383522B1Composition made from urea for treating exhaust gases
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES SA
  • EP3383522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3383522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3383522B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An aqueous composition comprising an NOx reducing agent or a precursor of such an agent, in particular urea, and at least one paraffin dispersed in the aqueous phase. Such a composition can be used for reducing the formation of deposits in an SCR exhaust system while preventing foaming during the handling of same.