Urea Tank Conditioning Circuit for Heating and Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urea solution conditioning systems fail to maintain the urea solution within the required temperature range, leading to chemical degradation and ammonia gas formation, which affects the efficacy of diesel engine emission reduction and poses safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A urea conditioning system with integrated heating and cooling circuits, utilizing a heat exchanger and sensors to regulate temperature, allowing for efficient temperature control within the urea tank, using the same engine cooling fluid or alternative refrigerants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If suction units are used to heat the urea solution during winter, then the urea solution temperature is maintained above freezing, but the urea solution temperature may exceed the chemical disintegration threshold during summer or prolonged sun exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating and cooling functions into a single integrated conditioning circuit that uses the engine cooling fluid as both heating and cooling medium. The circuit includes a heat exchanger that can operate in both heating mode (when engine coolant is warmer than urea solution) and cooling mode (when engine coolant is cooler than urea solution), eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine cooling fluid serves multiple functions: it cools the engine, heats the urea solution when needed, and cools the urea solution when needed. The conditioning circuit is designed to perform both heating and cooling operations using the same fluid medium, making the system universally applicable for temperature control across different environmental conditions.
2Temperature
If additional thermal exchange elements are added to cool the urea solution, then the cooling capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engine cooling fluid is used for both engine cooling and urea solution conditioning (both heating and cooling). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling-specific elements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling functions are merged into a single conditioning circuit that operates based on temperature differential between the engine coolant and urea solution. The heat exchanger automatically switches between heating and cooling modes without requiring separate systems, simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the urea tank is placed outside for easy access, then the tank is accessible for refilling and maintenance, but the urea solution is exposed to significant temperature changes from atmospheric agents
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own cooling fluid and thermal mass to automatically condition the urea solution. The conditioning circuit leverages the temperature differential between the engine coolant and ambient air/urea solution to provide self-regulating temperature control without requiring external energy input or complex active cooling systems.
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
Maintains the urea solution within the optimal temperature range, preventing chemical degradation and ammonia formation, ensuring effective pollution reduction and safety.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a heat exchanger and sensors to regulate temperature
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger and sensors to regulate temperature
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant fluid, in particular when this is not operating
Implementation Method 4
refrigerant fluid, in particular when this is not operating
Data Source
AI summary
A management system for a urea solution for an internal combustion vehicle, comprising a tank and a management unit designed to be partially inserted in said tank to suck and enable the insertion of the urea solution,the system comprising a heating circuit comprising a first and second duct and valve means, the heating circuit being fluidly connectable through the valve means to a cooling circuit of an engine of the vehicle,the system comprising a fluid cooling circuit configured to selectively allow the passage of a refrigerant fluid inside the heat exchanger of the management unit when the heating circuit is not in operation.