US20050000210A1 - Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20050000210A1
US20050000210A1 US10/885,213 US88521304A US2005000210A1 US 20050000210 A1 US20050000210 A1 US 20050000210A1 US 88521304 A US88521304 A US 88521304A US 2005000210 A1 US2005000210 A1 US 2005000210A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
trap
traps
desulfurization
advancing
desulfurization agent
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/885,213
Inventor
Rudolf Smaling
Samuel Crane
Navin Khadiya
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arvin Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US10/885,213 priority Critical patent/US20050000210A1/en
Assigned to ARVIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. reassignment ARVIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SMALING, RUDOLF M., KHADIYA, NAVIN, CRANE, JR., SAMUEL N.
Publication of US20050000210A1 publication Critical patent/US20050000210A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/32Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air
    • C01B3/34Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
    • C01B3/36Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents using oxygen or mixtures containing oxygen as gasifying agents
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/32Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air
    • C01B3/34Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
    • C01B3/38Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents using catalysts
    • C01B3/386Catalytic partial combustion
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01NGAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/0807Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents
    • F01N3/0828Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents characterised by the absorbed or adsorbed substances
    • F01N3/0842Nitrogen oxides
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01NGAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/0807Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents
    • F01N3/0871Regulation of absorbents or adsorbents, e.g. purging
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01NGAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/08Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous
    • F01N3/0807Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by using absorbents or adsorbents
    • F01N3/0871Regulation of absorbents or adsorbents, e.g. purging
    • F01N3/0885Regeneration of deteriorated absorbents or adsorbents, e.g. desulfurization of NOx traps
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/02Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/025Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a partial oxidation step
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/16Controlling the process
    • C01B2203/1685Control based on demand of downstream process
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01NGAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2610/00Adding substances to exhaust gases
    • F01N2610/04Adding substances to exhaust gases the substance being hydrogen
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01NGAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2900/00Details of electrical control or of the monitoring of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
    • F01N2900/06Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing
    • F01N2900/16Parameters used for exhaust control or diagnosing said parameters being related to the exhaust apparatus, e.g. particulate filter or catalyst
    • F01N2900/1612SOx amount trapped in catalyst
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02TCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12Improving ICE efficiencies

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to NO X traps.
  • a NO X trap is used to remove NO X from a stream of exhaust gas discharged, for example, from an internal combustion engine. It does so by trapping NO X present in the exhaust gas under lean conditions and reducing the NO X to nitrogen under rich conditions. Sulfur substances (e.g., SO X , sulfides, elemental sulfur, and the like) present in the exhaust gas may also become trapped by the NO X trap. Such trapping of sulfur substances by the NO X trap may degrade the NO X trap's ability to remove NO X unless the sulfur substances are removed from the NO X trap.
  • SO X sulfur substances
  • an emission abatement system having a fuel reformer under the control of a reformer controller.
  • the fuel reformer produces a reformate gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
  • the reformate gas is advanced into the NO X trap to react the hydrogen and carbon monoxide with SO X trapped on the NO X trap to remove SO X from the NO X trap (i.e., to desulfate the NO X trap).
  • An associated method of desulfating a NO X trap is disclosed.
  • an emission abatement system having a plurality of NO X traps positioned in a parallel flow arrangement, a desulfurization agent supplier for supplying a desulfurization agent, a valve arrangement for directing flow of the desulfurization agent and internal combustion engine exhaust gas between the NO X traps, and a controller.
  • the controller is used to control operation of the desulfurization agent supplier and the valve arrangement to desulfurize the NO X traps (i.e., to remove sulfur substances such as SO X , sulfides, and elemental sulfur from the NO X traps).
  • An associated method of desulfurizing parallel NO X traps is disclosed.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an emissions abatement system including, a fuel reformer, a NO X trap, a passageway to conduct a reformate gas produced by the fuel reformer to the NO X trap, and wherein the fuel reformer is under the control of a reformer controller and an engine of the power system is under the control of an engine control unit which is discrete from the reformer controller;
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram similar to FIG. 1 except that the reformer controller is integrated into the engine control unit;
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control routine for desulfating the NO X trap of FIGS. 1 and 2 after regenerating the NO X trap (to remove NO X trapped therein) a predetermined number of times;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another control routine for desulfating the NO X trap of FIGS. 1 and 2 after a predetermined amount of time has passed since previously desulfating the NO X trap;
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of yet another control routine for desulfating the NO X trap of FIGS. 1 and 2 after the accumulation of SO X within the NO X trap has reached a predetermined amount;
  • FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of another emission abatement system comprising a plurality of NO X traps that are desulfurized from time to time by use of a valve arrangement and a desulfurization agent supplier under the control of a controller;
  • FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of an implementation of the emission abatement system of FIG. 6 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a control routine for desulfurizing the NO X traps of FIGS. 6 and 7 .
  • an emissions abatement system 10 including a fuel reformer 12 , a NO X trap 14 , and an internal combustion engine 16 .
  • System 10 is provided to desulfate NO X trap 14 (e.g., remove or purge SO X trapped or absorbed therein).
  • System 10 may also regenerate NO X trap 14 to remove NO X trapped therein as well.
  • Engine 16 produces untreated emissions 24 which include, among other things, NO X and SO X .
  • NO X trap 14 traps the NO X present in exhaust gases 24 to prevent NO X from being exhausted into the atmosphere, for example. Periodically, or as desired, NO X trap 14 may be regenerated to remove NO X trapped therein.
  • SO X also has a tendency to become trapped within NO X trap 14 and may eventually saturate NO X trap 14 thus preventing additional NO X from being retained or trapped within NO X trap 14 . Further, SO X is generally not regenerated when a NO X regeneration of NO X trap 14 is performed. Therefore, SO X may continue to accumulate within NO X trap 14 and effectively poison NO X trap 14 by rendering NO X trap 14 ineffective at trapping NO X . As mentioned above, system 10 is provided to purge SO X trapped within NO X trap 14 so that NO X trap 14 may continue to trap NO X therein.
  • a passageway 18 connects fuel reformer 12 with NO X trap 14
  • another passageway 20 connects engine 16 with NO X trap 14
  • Fuel reformer 12 reforms (i.e., converts) hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas 22 that includes, among other things, hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
  • Passageway 18 conducts the reformate gas 22 to NO X trap 14 so that reformate gas 22 may be used to purge SO X from NO X trap 14 to prevent SO X poisoning of NO X trap 14 and thereby increase the efficiency of NO X trap 14 in reducing NO X emissions.
  • Fuel reformer 11 may be embodied as any type of fuel reformer, such as, for example, a catalytic fuel reformer, a thermal fuel reformer, a steam fuel reformer, or any other type of partial oxidation fuel reformer.
  • Fuel reformer 12 may also be embodied as a plasma fuel reformer.
  • a plasma fuel reformer uses plasma to convert a mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
  • Systems including plasma fuel reformers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,332 issued to Rabinovich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,250 issued to Rabinovich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,784 issued to Bromberg et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,554 issued to Cohn, et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • fuel reformer 12 and its associated components are under the control of a reformer controller 26 .
  • components such as temperature, pressure, or gas composition sensors (not shown), a fuel inlet assembly such as a fuel injector (not shown), and air inlet valve(s) (not shown) are each electrically coupled to the reformer controller 26 .
  • a power supply 28 is electrically coupled to the reformer controller 26 via a signal line 30 .
  • signal line 30 is shown schematically as a single line, it should be appreciated that signal line 30 , along with the signal line(s) associated with each of the other components of fuel reformer 12 , may be configured as any type of signal carrying assembly which allows for the transmission of electrical signals in either one or both direction between the reformer controller 26 and the corresponding component.
  • any one or more of the signal lines may be embodied as a wiring harness having a number of signal lines which transmit electrical signals between the reformer controller 26 and the corresponding component. It should be appreciated that any number of other wiring configurations may also be used. For example, individual signal wires may be used, or a system utilizing a signal multiplexer may be used for the design of any one or more of the signal lines.
  • the signal lines may be integrated such that a single harness or system is utilized to electrically couple some or all of the components associated with fuel reformer 12 to reformer controller 26 .
  • the reformer controller 26 is, in essence, the master computer responsible for interpreting electrical signals sent by sensors associated with the fuel reformer 12 and for activating electronically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 in order to control the fuel reformer 12 .
  • the reformer controller 26 of the present disclosure is operable to, amongst many other things, actuate or shutdown the fuel reformer 12 , determine the beginning and end of each injection cycle of fuel into the fuel reformer 12 , calculate and control the amount and ratio of air and fuel to be introduced into the fuel reformer 12 , determine the temperature of the fuel reformer 12 , and determine the power level to supply to the fuel reformer 12 .
  • the reformer controller 26 includes a number of electronic components commonly associated with electronic units which are utilized in the control of electromechanical systems.
  • the reformer controller 26 may include, amongst other components customarily included in such devices, a processor such as a microprocessor 32 and a memory device 34 such as a programmable read-only memory device (“PROM”) including erasable PROM's (EPROM's or EEPROM's).
  • the memory device 34 is provided to store, amongst other things, instructions in the form of, for example, a software routine (or routines) which, when executed by the microprocessor 32 , allows the reformer controller 26 to control operation of the fuel reformer 12 .
  • the reformer controller 26 also includes an analog interface circuit (not shown).
  • the analog interface circuit converts the output signals from the various fuel reformer sensors into a signal which is suitable for presentation to an input of the microprocessor 32 .
  • the analog interface circuit by use of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (not shown) or the like, converts the analog signals generated by the sensors into a digital signal for use by the microprocessor 32 .
  • A/D converter may be embodied as a discrete device or number of devices, or may be integrated into the microprocessor. It should also be appreciated that if any one or more of the sensors associated with the fuel reformer 12 generate a digital output signal, the analog interface circuit may be bypassed.
  • the analog interface circuit converts signals from the microprocessor 32 into an output signal which is suitable for presentation to the electrically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 (e.g., the power supply 28 ).
  • the analog interface circuit by use of a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (not shown) or the like, converts the digital signals generated by the microprocessor 32 into analog signals for use by the electronically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 such as the power supply 28 .
  • D/A converter may be embodied as a discrete device or number of devices, or may be integrated into the microprocessor 32 . It should also be appreciated that if any one or more of the electronically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 operate on a digital input signal, the analog interface circuit may be bypassed.
  • the reformer controller 26 may be operated to control operation of the fuel reformer 12 .
  • the reformer controller 26 executes a routine including, amongst other things, a closed-loop control scheme in which the reformer controller 26 monitors outputs of the sensors associated with the fuel reformer 12 in order to control the inputs to the electronically-controlled components associated therewith.
  • the reformer controller 26 communicates with the sensors associated with the fuel reformer in order to determine, amongst numerous other things, the amount, temperature, and/or pressure of air and/or fuel being supplied to the fuel reformer 12 , the amount of oxygen in the reformate gas, the temperature of the reformate gas being produced thereby, and the composition of the reformate gas.
  • the reformer controller 26 performs numerous calculations each second, including looking up values in preprogrammed tables, in order to execute algorithms to perform such functions as determining when or how long the fuel reformer's fuel injector or other fuel input device is opened, controlling the power level input to the fuel reformer, controlling the amount of air advanced through the air inlet valve(s), etcetera.
  • reformer controller 26 is electrically coupled to power supply 28 associated with the fuel reformer 12 . As such, the reformer controller 26 communicates with the power supply 28 to selectively operate and shutdown the fuel reformer 12 .
  • the fuel reformer 12 and the reformer controller 26 define a fuel reformer system 36 which, among other uses, may be used in the construction of an onboard system for a vehicle or a stationary power generator.
  • the engine 16 is under the control of an engine control unit 38 .
  • the engine control unit 38 is electrically coupled to a number of electronically-controlled components associated with the engine 16 (e.g., a fuel injector assembly, ignition assembly, etcetera) via a signal line 40 .
  • the signal line 40 may be any type of signal carrying connector including a wiring harness for carrying the electrical signals associated with numerous engine components.
  • the reformer controller 26 and the engine control unit 38 are in communication with one another.
  • the reformer controller 26 is electrically coupled to the engine control unit 38 via a signal line 42 .
  • the reformer controller 26 and the engine control unit 38 are shown as discrete components in FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated, however, that the reformer controller 26 may be integrated into an engine control unit 38 , as shown in FIG. 2 . In such a way, a single hardware component may be utilized to control both the fuel reformer 12 and the engine 16 .
  • the aforedescribed control scheme may be utilized to control operation of the fuel reformer 12 and the engine 16 .
  • the aforedescribed control scheme includes a routine for desulfating NO X trap 14 , or in other words, regenerating NO X trap 14 to remove SO X trapped therein.
  • NO X trap 14 is provided to trap NO X contained within untreated exhaust gases 24 emitted from engine 16 so that generally NO X -free treated emissions are exhausted out of NO X trap 14 .
  • NO X trap 14 also may be regenerated to remove NO X trapped therein.
  • untreated exhaust gas 24 includes SO X .
  • SO X Due to the nature of various NO X traps, SO X may be trapped therein as well, thus poisoning the NO X trap 14 or otherwise reducing the trap's ability to trap additional amounts of NO X .
  • the present disclosure therefore, provides a method and system 10 for desulfating NO X trap 14 , or, in other words, regenerating NO X trap 14 to remove or purge SO X which has been absorbed or trapped therein.
  • system 10 of the illustrative embodiments removes SO X from NO X trap 14 by both raising the temperature of NO X trap 14 and introducing reformate gas 22 into NO X trap 14 via passageway 18 .
  • reformate gas 22 includes both hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide.
  • absorbed SO X may be purged from NO X trap 14 by raising the NO X trap 14 temperature in excess of about 650° C. while also post injecting additional hydrocarbon fuel to react with the absorbed SO X .
  • Reformate gas 22 reacts with the absorbed SO X at a temperature lower than 650° C. to regenerate NO X trap 14 and remove SO X absorbed by NO X trap 14 to allow NO X trap 14 to more efficiently and effectively trap NO X therein.
  • the temperature of NO X trap 14 is raised by raising the temperature of untreated exhaust gases 24 advancing through NO X trap 14 from engine 16 .
  • one way to raise the temperature of exhaust gases 24 exiting engine 16 is to reduce an air-to-fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture being introduced into engine 16 .
  • the air-to-fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture is controlled by engine control unit 38 . It is within the scope of this disclosure for the steps of raising the temperature of NO X trap 14 and advancing reformate gas 22 into NO X trap 14 to be performed contemporaneously or, in the alternative, for one step to be performed before the other and visa versa.
  • the present system 10 desulfates NO X trap 14 by both raising the temperature of NO X trap 14 and advancing reformate fuel 22 into NO X trap 14 , it is within the scope of this disclosure to remove SO X from NO X trap 14 without the need to raise the temperature of NO X trap 14 by advancing reformate fuel 22 into NO X trap 14 without the need to raise the temperature of NO X trap 14 at all.
  • the control scheme of the present disclosure includes a routine for selectively raising the temperature of the NO X trap 14 to allow reformate gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be introduced into NO X trap 14 to react with accumulated SO X therein thereby removing the SO X and regenerating the NO X trap 14 .
  • the duration of the SO X purge may be configured to ensure that all (or substantially all) of the accumulated SO X has been purged from NO X trap 14 .
  • a SO X regeneration of NO X trap 14 is performed as a response to generation of a SO X purge request.
  • a SO X purge request may be generated in response to any number of events.
  • One exemplary way to determine whether a SO X purge (or desulfation) of NO X trap 14 is to be performed is to purge the accumulated SO X from NO X trap 14 after regenerating the NO X from within NO X trap 14 a predetermined number of times.
  • Such a control routine 100 is shown in FIG. 3 and begins with step 102 where reformer controller 26 determines whether a NO X purge of NO X trap 14 has been requested.
  • a NO X purge may be requested as a result of any number of factors including, time lapse since last NO X purge, NO X saturation of NO X trap 14 , etcetera.
  • control routine 100 loops back to the beginning and continues to determine whether a NO X purge has been requested. However, if a NO X purge request has been sensed by the reformer controller 26 , control routine 100 advances to step 104 and a NO X purge of NO X trap 14 is performed.
  • NO X trap 14 may be purged raising the temperature of NO X trap 14 to a predetermined temperature and advancing reformed fuel through NO X trap 14 , similar to SO X regeneration of NO X trap 14 .
  • the temperature required for NO X regeneration of NO X trap 14 is generally less than the temperature required for SO X regeneration of NO X trap 14 .
  • a NO X purge may be performed at a lower temperature than a SO X purge. It is within the scope of this disclosure for a NO X purge to be accomplished by other means as well.
  • control routine 100 advances to step 106 to determine the number of NO X purges performed (N P ) since the previous SO X purge of NO X trap 14 . Once the number of NO X purges performed (N P ) has been determined, control routine 100 advances to step 108 . As shown in step 108 , reformer controller 26 compares the number of NO X purges performed (N P ) since the previous SO X purge of NO X trap 14 to a set point number (N). If the number of NO X purges performed (N P ) is less than set point number (N), the control routine 100 loops back to step 102 to determine whether a NO X purge has been requested. However, if the number of NO X purges performed (N P ) is greater than or equal to the set point number of NO X purges (N), a control signal is generated, and the control routine 100 advances to step 110 .
  • step 110 SO X is purged from NO X trap 14 in the manner described above.
  • reformer controller 26 may generate a control signal on signal line 30 thereby instructing the fuel reformer 12 to advance reformate gas to NO X trap 14 while also generating a control signal on signal line 42 instructing engine control unit 38 to operate the engine to cause a higher temperature exhaust gas 24 to be advanced from engine 16 to NO X trap 14 .
  • engine control unit 38 may generate a control signal on line 40 instructing engine 16 to decrease the air-to-fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture introduced into engine 16 to raise the temperature of the untreated exhaust gas 24 .
  • control routine 200 begins with step 202 in which the reformer controller 26 determines the time which has lapsed (T L ) since SO X was last purged from NO X trap 14 , or more particularly, since fuel reformer 12 was last instructed to introduce reformate gas 22 into NO X trap 14 to desulfate NO X trap 14 .
  • controller 26 determines the time which has lapsed (T L ) since SO X was last purged from NO X trap 14 , or more particularly, since fuel reformer 12 was last instructed to introduce reformate gas 22 into NO X trap 14 to desulfate NO X trap 14 .
  • controller 26 advances to step 204 .
  • controller 26 compares the time which has lapsed (T L ) to a predetermined set point time period (T). In particular, as described herein, a predetermined time period (T) between SO X purge cycles may be established as desired.
  • control routine 200 loops back to step 202 to continue monitoring the time which has lapsed since the last SO X regeneration. It is within the scope of this disclosure for controller 26 to measure a predetermined amount of lapsed time from any step or reference point within control routine 200 or general operation of system 10 . If, however, the amount of time lapsed (T L ) is greater than or equal to the set point time period (T), the control routine advances to step 206 to desulfate or purge NO X trap 14 . NO X trap 14 is desulfated in the manner discussed above with respect to control routine 100 .
  • NO X trap 14 is desulfated based upon the accumulation of SO X within NO X trap 14 .
  • Control routine begins with step 302 in which reformer controller 26 determines the amount of SO X (S A ) which has accumulated within NO X trap 14 . This may be accomplished through the use of a sensor or group of sensors associated with NO X trap 14 and provided to indirectly measure or detect the amount of SO X accumulated within NO X trap 14 . Such a sensor or sensors may be electrically coupled to reformer controller 26 via a signal line (not shown) so that controller 26 may scan or otherwise read the signal line in order to monitor output from the sensor(s).
  • the output signals produced by the sensor(s) would be indicative of the amount of SO X (S A ) within NO X trap 14 .
  • the control routine 300 advances to step 304 .
  • controller 26 compares the sensed amount of SO X (S A ) within NO X trap 14 to a set point SO X accumulation value (S).
  • a predetermined SO X accumulation value (S), or set point may be established which corresponds to a particular amount of SO X accumulation within NO X trap 14 . If the amount of SO X accumulation (S A ) within NO X trap 14 is less than the set point SO X accumulation value (S), the control routine 300 loops back to step 102 to continue monitoring the output from the sensor(s).
  • step 306 reformer controller 26 operates in the manner described above to desulfate NO X trap 14 .
  • controller 26 operates to desulfate NO X trap 14 by instructing fuel reformer 12 to advance reformate gas 22 into NO X trap 14 and by instructing engine 16 to decrease the air-to-fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture introduced into engine 16 to increase the temperature of untreated exhaust gas 24 for advancement into NO X trap 14 .
  • Controller 26 operates in such a manner in response to various signals and/or events, such as after a predetermined number of NO X purges, at predetermined time intervals, or in response to output from one or more sensors, for example. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure for controller 26 (with engine control unit 38 ) to desulfate NO X trap 14 in response to various other signals and/or conditions.
  • System 410 includes a plurality of NO X traps 414 positioned in a parallel flow arrangement for removing NO X from exhaust gas discharged from engine 16 .
  • Each NO X trap 414 traps NO X when it is exposed to lean conditions (excess oxygen in exhaust gas) and releases and reduces trapped NO X when exposed to rich conditions (depleted amount of oxygen in exhaust gas) during NO X regeneration of the trap 414 .
  • Sulfur substances e.g., SO X , sulfides, elemental sulfur
  • SO X sulfur substances
  • elemental sulfur sulfur substances
  • system 410 is configured to desulfurize (i.e., remove sulfur substances from) each trap 410 from time to time.
  • System 410 is configured so that thermal damage to NO X traps 414 due to excessive trap temperatures is avoided during trap desulfurization. Typically, it may take several minutes to desulfurize one trap 414 . The trap 414 would be at risk for thermal damage due to uncontrolled trap temperature spikes if the trap 414 were to receive a flow of a desulfurization agent continuously until completion of desulfurization. Such a risk could possibly increase further in the event that oxgyen present in the exhaust gas were allowed (intentionally or unintentionally) to slip into the line containing the trap 414 . To avoid such thermal damage, system 410 employs a “sequential cycling” method of desulfurizing the traps 414 .
  • the system 410 determines that desulfurization is to take place, it causes a desulfurization agent to advance to the NO X traps 414 in sequential order for a plurality of cycles and causes exhaust gas to advance to each trap 414 not receiving the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles.
  • each trap 414 receives the desulfurization agent for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a few seconds such as 5-15 seconds).
  • the temperature of the trap 414 may begin to elevate during each period that it receives the desulfurization agent but it does not elevate beyond the thermal damage temperature threshhold because the predetermined period of time is not long enough to allow for such excessive temperature elevation.
  • the trap 414 is not receiving the desulfurization agent, it is receiving a cooling flow of exhaust gas, thereby further promoting protection of trap 414 from thermal damage.
  • system 410 cycles the desulfurization agent to the traps 414 for a plurality of cycles. As such, the cumulative time that each trap 414 receives the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles is sufficient to complete desulfurization of each trap 414 .
  • System 410 is thus able to control the temperature of traps 414 by use of this sequential cycling desulfurization method.
  • System 410 includes a controller 426 that is electrically coupled to a desulfurization agent supplier 428 via a supplier control line 430 and a valve arrangement 432 via a valve control line 434 .
  • Valve arrangement 432 is fluidly coupled to supplier 428 via a desulfurization agent line 436 to receive a desulfurization agent from supplier 428 and is fluidly coupled to engine 16 via an exhaust gas line 438 to receive exhaust gas from engine 16 .
  • Valve arrangement 432 is fluidly coupled to NO X traps 414 via trap lines 440 .
  • Controller 426 may be separate from or integrated with the engine control unit used to control operation of engine 16 . When it is integrated with the engine control unit, controller 426 is coupled to engine 16 via line 442 .
  • Controller 426 comprises a processor 32 and a memory device 34 electrically coupled to processor 32 .
  • Memory device 34 has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by processor 32 , causes processor 32 (i) to determine if desulfurization of the NO X traps 414 is to be performed and to generate a desulfurization signal in response thereto, and (ii) to operate the desulfurization agent supplier 428 and the valve arrangement 432 to advance desulfurization agent from supplier 428 to the NO X traps in sequential order for a plurality of cycles and exhaust gas from engine 16 to each NO X trap not receiving the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal so as to desulfurize the NO X traps 414 .
  • Controller 426 operates supplier 428 and valve arrangement 432 by sending signals over lines 430 and 434 , respectively.
  • a control routine 500 for desulfurizing NO X traps 414 is discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 8 .
  • the desulfurization agent is used to desulfurize the NO X traps 414 .
  • Each NO X trap 414 has a catalyst component for catalyzing oxidation and reduction reactions and a storage component (made of, for example, a metal oxide such as barium oxide or potassium oxide) for storing NO X . Both the catalyst component and the storage component are susceptible to poisoning by sulfur substances.
  • the catalyst and storage components are desulfurized by use of the desulfurization agent according to control routine 500 .
  • the desulfurization agent supplier 428 is a hydrocarbon supplier for injecting a desulfurization agent comprising hydrocarbons upstream of NO X traps 414 for passage thereto.
  • the hydrocarbon supplier is a diesel fuel supplier which supplies a desulfurization agent comprising diesel fuel for desulfurizing the traps 414 .
  • the desulfurization agent supplier 428 is a fuel reformer assembly having fuel reformer 12 and power supply 28 (discussed above).
  • the fuel reformer 12 produces a reformate gas including hydrogen (H 2 ) and carbon monoxide.
  • the hydrogen and carbon monoxide act as the desulfurization agent.
  • use of reformate gas from fuel reformer 12 may enable achievement of lower NO X trap desulfurization temperatures and may result in formation of less soot and less precious metal sulfides, less hydrocarbon slippage past traps 414 , and a lower fuel penalty.
  • the fuel reformer 12 is a plasma fuel reformer.
  • Use of the sequential cycling method disclosed herein facilitates use of a desulfurization agent lambda value which is between about 0.4 and about 0.7 or between about 0.4 and about 0.5 (the lambda value is the air-to-fuel ratio of the desulfurization agent divided by the stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio of the fuel used).
  • the lambda value is the air-to-fuel ratio of the desulfurization agent divided by the stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio of the fuel used.
  • Use of such a lambda value facilitates desulfurization of traps 414 at a lower desulfurization temperature than when a higher lambda value (e.g., 0.9 to 0.95) is used.
  • the desulfurization agent can have such a lambda value when the desulfurization agent comprises, for example, diesel fuel.
  • Valve arrangement 432 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, in one implementation of valve arrangement 432 , a valve arrangement 432 a is useful when there are only two NO X traps 414 a , 414 b , as shown, for example, in FIG. 7 .
  • Valve arrangement 432 a has a single valve 444 under the control of controller 426 to rotate in a valve housing 446 between a first position (shown in solid in FIG. 7 ) and a second position (shown in phantom in FIG. 7 ) to direct flow of the desulfurization agent and flow of the exhaust gas between the two NO X traps 414 a , 414 b .
  • valve 444 In the first position, the valve 444 directs the flow of the desulfurization agent to the first NO X trap 414 a and the flow of the exhaust gas to the second NO X trap 414 b while blocking the flow of the desulfurization agent to the second NO X trap 414 b and the flow of the exhaust gas to the first NO X trap 414 a .
  • the valve 444 In the second position, the valve 444 directs the flow of the desulfurization agent to the second NO X trap 414 b and the flow of the exhaust gas to the first NO X trap 414 a while blocking the flow of the desulfurization agent to the first NO X trap 414 a and the flow of the exhaust gas to the second NO X trap 414 b .
  • valve arrangement 432 a alternates a flow of the desulfurization agent and a flow of the exhaust gas between the two NO X traps 414 a and 414 b for the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
  • valve arrangement 432 there are two valves associated with each trap 414 , a desulfurization valve and an exhaust gas valve.
  • Each desulfurization valve is under the control of controller 426 to selectively allow and block flow of the desulfurization agent to the associated trap 414 .
  • Each exhaust gas valve is under the control of controller 426 to selectively allow and block flow of the exhaust gas to the associated trap 414 .
  • a desulfurization control routine 500 is provided.
  • the controller 426 determines if desulfurization of the NO X traps 414 is to be performed.
  • a variety of methods can be used to determine whether to desulfurize the traps 414 .
  • controller 426 uses a scheme in which desulfurization occurs once the NO X traps 414 have been purged of NO X a predetermined number of times since the last desulfurization event, similar to control routine 100 .
  • the controller 426 uses a time-based scheme in which desulfurization occurs at predetermined intervals, similar to control routine 200 .
  • controller 426 uses a sulfur-accumulation-based scheme in which desulfurization occurs once accumulation of a predetermined amount of sulfur substances in NO X traps 414 has reached a predetermined limit, similar to control routine 300 . Such an accumulation limit can be detected indirectly by use of a NO X sensor downstream from traps 414 .
  • controller 426 uses information provided by a variety of sensors along with look-up tables stored in memory device 34 .
  • control routine 500 loops back to the beginning of the routine. If controller 426 determines that desulfurization is to take place, it generates the desulfurization signal to initiate desulfurization and control routine 500 advances to step 504 .
  • step 504 the controller sets N (representative of a particular NO X trap) to equal 1 to start the first cycle. After this, the control routine 500 advances to step 506 .
  • the controller 426 operates supplier 428 and valve arrangement 432 to cause desulfurization agent to advance to the first NO X trap while exhaust gas is advanced to all the other NO X trap(s) 414 .
  • the controller 426 keeps track of the amount of time that the first NO X trap receives the desulfurization agent.
  • the controller 426 determines whether this time is less than a predetermined period of time (T D ). If the answer is yes, the controller 426 causes desulfurization of the first trap 414 to continue. If the answer is no (i.e., T D has been reached), the control routine 500 advances to step 510 .
  • the controller 426 determines whether all NO X traps have been desulfurized for the predetermined period of time so as to complete the first cycle. If the answer is no, the control routine 500 advances first to step 512 where the controller 426 adds one increment to N and then advances back to step 506 where the controller 426 causes desulfurization of the second NO X trap 414 for the predetermined period of time (T D ). The control routine 500 continues to loop in this manner until each trap 414 has been desulfurized for the predetermined period of time (T D ) to thereby complete the first cycle. After completing the first cycle, the control routine advances to step 514 .
  • the controller 426 determines whether to repeat the cycle to sequentially desulfurize the traps 414 , each for the predetermined period of time (T D ). In one example, this decision whether to repeat the cycle is based on whether a the traps 414 have been desulfurized for a predetermined number of cycles (i.e., whether a predetermined number of cycles has been reached). In another example, this decision is based on whether the cumulative amount of time elapsed since generation of the desulfurization signal has reached a predetermined time limit (e.g., several minutes such as 10 to 15 minutes).
  • a predetermined time limit e.g., several minutes such as 10 to 15 minutes.
  • this decision is based on the amount of sulfur substance stored in traps 414 , which can be indirectly determined by sensing NO X at a location downstream from traps 414 . If controller 426 determines that the cycle is to be repeated, control routine 500 returns to step 504 where N is set to equal one again to thereby begin a new cycle of sequential desulfurization of traps 414 . If the controller 426 determines that cycling is to cease, control routine 500 returns to the beginning of the routine 500 due to completion of desulfurization of the traps 414 .
  • pre-heat the NO X traps 414 by use of one or more heaters (not shown) to raise the temperature of the NO X traps to a predetermined desulfurization temperature conducive to their desulfurization.
  • Each heater may or may not be under the control of controller 426 .
  • Each heater may be a diesel oxidation catalyst, a fuel-fired burner, an electric heater, or the like. When a plasma fuel reformer is used as the supplier 428 to produce the desulfurization agent, pre-heating of the traps 414 by one or more heaters may not be needed.

Abstract

An emission abatement system comprises a plurality of NOX traps positioned in a parallel flow arrangement, a desulfurization agent supplier for supplying a desulfurization agent, a valve arrangement for directing flow of the desulfurization agent and internal combustion engine exhaust gas between the NOX traps, and a controller. The controller is used to control operation of the desulfurization agent supplier and the valve arrangement to desulfurize the NOX traps. An associated method is disclosed.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE
  • This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,884 which was filed on Sep. 18, 2002 and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
  • FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
  • The present disclosure relates generally to NOX traps.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
  • A NOX trap is used to remove NOX from a stream of exhaust gas discharged, for example, from an internal combustion engine. It does so by trapping NOX present in the exhaust gas under lean conditions and reducing the NOX to nitrogen under rich conditions. Sulfur substances (e.g., SOX, sulfides, elemental sulfur, and the like) present in the exhaust gas may also become trapped by the NOX trap. Such trapping of sulfur substances by the NOX trap may degrade the NOX trap's ability to remove NOX unless the sulfur substances are removed from the NOX trap.
  • SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
  • According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an emission abatement system having a fuel reformer under the control of a reformer controller. The fuel reformer produces a reformate gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The reformate gas is advanced into the NOX trap to react the hydrogen and carbon monoxide with SOX trapped on the NOX trap to remove SOX from the NOX trap (i.e., to desulfate the NOX trap). An associated method of desulfating a NOX trap is disclosed.
  • According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an emission abatement system having a plurality of NOX traps positioned in a parallel flow arrangement, a desulfurization agent supplier for supplying a desulfurization agent, a valve arrangement for directing flow of the desulfurization agent and internal combustion engine exhaust gas between the NOX traps, and a controller. The controller is used to control operation of the desulfurization agent supplier and the valve arrangement to desulfurize the NOX traps (i.e., to remove sulfur substances such as SOX, sulfides, and elemental sulfur from the NOX traps). An associated method of desulfurizing parallel NOX traps is disclosed.
  • The above and other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an emissions abatement system including, a fuel reformer, a NOX trap, a passageway to conduct a reformate gas produced by the fuel reformer to the NOX trap, and wherein the fuel reformer is under the control of a reformer controller and an engine of the power system is under the control of an engine control unit which is discrete from the reformer controller;
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram similar to FIG. 1 except that the reformer controller is integrated into the engine control unit;
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control routine for desulfating the NOX trap of FIGS. 1 and 2 after regenerating the NOX trap (to remove NOX trapped therein) a predetermined number of times;
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another control routine for desulfating the NOX trap of FIGS. 1 and 2 after a predetermined amount of time has passed since previously desulfating the NOX trap;
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of yet another control routine for desulfating the NOX trap of FIGS. 1 and 2 after the accumulation of SOX within the NOX trap has reached a predetermined amount;
  • FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of another emission abatement system comprising a plurality of NOX traps that are desulfurized from time to time by use of a valve arrangement and a desulfurization agent supplier under the control of a controller;
  • FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of an implementation of the emission abatement system of FIG. 6; and
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a control routine for desulfurizing the NOX traps of FIGS. 6 and 7.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives following within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
  • Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an emissions abatement system 10 including a fuel reformer 12, a NOX trap 14, and an internal combustion engine 16. System 10 is provided to desulfate NOX trap 14 (e.g., remove or purge SOX trapped or absorbed therein). System 10 may also regenerate NOX trap 14 to remove NOX trapped therein as well. Engine 16 produces untreated emissions 24 which include, among other things, NOX and SOX. NOX trap 14 traps the NOX present in exhaust gases 24 to prevent NOX from being exhausted into the atmosphere, for example. Periodically, or as desired, NOX trap 14 may be regenerated to remove NOX trapped therein. SOX, however, also has a tendency to become trapped within NOX trap 14 and may eventually saturate NOX trap 14 thus preventing additional NOX from being retained or trapped within NOX trap 14. Further, SOX is generally not regenerated when a NOX regeneration of NOX trap 14 is performed. Therefore, SOX may continue to accumulate within NOX trap 14 and effectively poison NOX trap 14 by rendering NOX trap 14 ineffective at trapping NOX. As mentioned above, system 10 is provided to purge SOX trapped within NOX trap 14 so that NOX trap 14 may continue to trap NOX therein.
  • Referring back to FIG. 1, a passageway 18 connects fuel reformer 12 with NOX trap 14, and another passageway 20 connects engine 16 with NOX trap 14. Fuel reformer 12 reforms (i.e., converts) hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas 22 that includes, among other things, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Passageway 18 conducts the reformate gas 22 to NOX trap 14 so that reformate gas 22 may be used to purge SOX from NOX trap 14 to prevent SOX poisoning of NOX trap 14 and thereby increase the efficiency of NOX trap 14 in reducing NOX emissions.
  • Fuel reformer 11 may be embodied as any type of fuel reformer, such as, for example, a catalytic fuel reformer, a thermal fuel reformer, a steam fuel reformer, or any other type of partial oxidation fuel reformer. Fuel reformer 12 may also be embodied as a plasma fuel reformer. A plasma fuel reformer uses plasma to convert a mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Systems including plasma fuel reformers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,332 issued to Rabinovich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,250 issued to Rabinovich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,784 issued to Bromberg et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,554 issued to Cohn, et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, fuel reformer 12 and its associated components are under the control of a reformer controller 26. In particular, components such as temperature, pressure, or gas composition sensors (not shown), a fuel inlet assembly such as a fuel injector (not shown), and air inlet valve(s) (not shown) are each electrically coupled to the reformer controller 26. Moreover, a power supply 28 is electrically coupled to the reformer controller 26 via a signal line 30. Although signal line 30 is shown schematically as a single line, it should be appreciated that signal line 30, along with the signal line(s) associated with each of the other components of fuel reformer 12, may be configured as any type of signal carrying assembly which allows for the transmission of electrical signals in either one or both direction between the reformer controller 26 and the corresponding component. For example, any one or more of the signal lines may be embodied as a wiring harness having a number of signal lines which transmit electrical signals between the reformer controller 26 and the corresponding component. It should be appreciated that any number of other wiring configurations may also be used. For example, individual signal wires may be used, or a system utilizing a signal multiplexer may be used for the design of any one or more of the signal lines. Moreover, the signal lines may be integrated such that a single harness or system is utilized to electrically couple some or all of the components associated with fuel reformer 12 to reformer controller 26.
  • The reformer controller 26 is, in essence, the master computer responsible for interpreting electrical signals sent by sensors associated with the fuel reformer 12 and for activating electronically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 in order to control the fuel reformer 12. For example, the reformer controller 26 of the present disclosure is operable to, amongst many other things, actuate or shutdown the fuel reformer 12, determine the beginning and end of each injection cycle of fuel into the fuel reformer 12, calculate and control the amount and ratio of air and fuel to be introduced into the fuel reformer 12, determine the temperature of the fuel reformer 12, and determine the power level to supply to the fuel reformer 12.
  • To do so, the reformer controller 26 includes a number of electronic components commonly associated with electronic units which are utilized in the control of electromechanical systems. For example, the reformer controller 26 may include, amongst other components customarily included in such devices, a processor such as a microprocessor 32 and a memory device 34 such as a programmable read-only memory device (“PROM”) including erasable PROM's (EPROM's or EEPROM's). The memory device 34 is provided to store, amongst other things, instructions in the form of, for example, a software routine (or routines) which, when executed by the microprocessor 32, allows the reformer controller 26 to control operation of the fuel reformer 12.
  • The reformer controller 26 also includes an analog interface circuit (not shown). The analog interface circuit converts the output signals from the various fuel reformer sensors into a signal which is suitable for presentation to an input of the microprocessor 32. In particular, the analog interface circuit, by use of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (not shown) or the like, converts the analog signals generated by the sensors into a digital signal for use by the microprocessor 32. It should be appreciated that the A/D converter may be embodied as a discrete device or number of devices, or may be integrated into the microprocessor. It should also be appreciated that if any one or more of the sensors associated with the fuel reformer 12 generate a digital output signal, the analog interface circuit may be bypassed.
  • Similarly, the analog interface circuit converts signals from the microprocessor 32 into an output signal which is suitable for presentation to the electrically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 (e.g., the power supply 28). In particular, the analog interface circuit, by use of a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (not shown) or the like, converts the digital signals generated by the microprocessor 32 into analog signals for use by the electronically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 such as the power supply 28. It should be appreciated that, similar to the A/D converter described above, the D/A converter may be embodied as a discrete device or number of devices, or may be integrated into the microprocessor 32. It should also be appreciated that if any one or more of the electronically-controlled components associated with the fuel reformer 12 operate on a digital input signal, the analog interface circuit may be bypassed.
  • Hence, the reformer controller 26 may be operated to control operation of the fuel reformer 12. In particular, the reformer controller 26 executes a routine including, amongst other things, a closed-loop control scheme in which the reformer controller 26 monitors outputs of the sensors associated with the fuel reformer 12 in order to control the inputs to the electronically-controlled components associated therewith. To do so, the reformer controller 26 communicates with the sensors associated with the fuel reformer in order to determine, amongst numerous other things, the amount, temperature, and/or pressure of air and/or fuel being supplied to the fuel reformer 12, the amount of oxygen in the reformate gas, the temperature of the reformate gas being produced thereby, and the composition of the reformate gas. Armed with this data, the reformer controller 26 performs numerous calculations each second, including looking up values in preprogrammed tables, in order to execute algorithms to perform such functions as determining when or how long the fuel reformer's fuel injector or other fuel input device is opened, controlling the power level input to the fuel reformer, controlling the amount of air advanced through the air inlet valve(s), etcetera.
  • As mentioned above, reformer controller 26 is electrically coupled to power supply 28 associated with the fuel reformer 12. As such, the reformer controller 26 communicates with the power supply 28 to selectively operate and shutdown the fuel reformer 12. Collectively, the fuel reformer 12 and the reformer controller 26 define a fuel reformer system 36 which, among other uses, may be used in the construction of an onboard system for a vehicle or a stationary power generator.
  • The engine 16, on the other hand, is under the control of an engine control unit 38. In particular, the engine control unit 38 is electrically coupled to a number of electronically-controlled components associated with the engine 16 (e.g., a fuel injector assembly, ignition assembly, etcetera) via a signal line 40. As with the signal lines associated with the fuel reformer 12, the signal line 40 may be any type of signal carrying connector including a wiring harness for carrying the electrical signals associated with numerous engine components.
  • The reformer controller 26 and the engine control unit 38 are in communication with one another. In particular, the reformer controller 26 is electrically coupled to the engine control unit 38 via a signal line 42.
  • The reformer controller 26 and the engine control unit 38 are shown as discrete components in FIG. 1. It should be appreciated, however, that the reformer controller 26 may be integrated into an engine control unit 38, as shown in FIG. 2. In such a way, a single hardware component may be utilized to control both the fuel reformer 12 and the engine 16.
  • Hence, the aforedescribed control scheme may be utilized to control operation of the fuel reformer 12 and the engine 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the aforedescribed control scheme includes a routine for desulfating NOX trap 14, or in other words, regenerating NOX trap 14 to remove SOX trapped therein. As mentioned above, NOX trap 14 is provided to trap NOX contained within untreated exhaust gases 24 emitted from engine 16 so that generally NOX-free treated emissions are exhausted out of NOX trap 14. As desired, NOX trap 14 also may be regenerated to remove NOX trapped therein.
  • Also as described above, untreated exhaust gas 24 includes SOX. Due to the nature of various NOX traps, SOX may be trapped therein as well, thus poisoning the NOX trap 14 or otherwise reducing the trap's ability to trap additional amounts of NOX. The present disclosure, therefore, provides a method and system 10 for desulfating NOX trap 14, or, in other words, regenerating NOX trap 14 to remove or purge SOX which has been absorbed or trapped therein.
  • In particular, system 10 of the illustrative embodiments removes SOX from NOX trap 14 by both raising the temperature of NOX trap 14 and introducing reformate gas 22 into NOX trap 14 via passageway 18. As mentioned above, reformate gas 22 includes both hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. Generally, absorbed SOX may be purged from NOX trap 14 by raising the NOX trap 14 temperature in excess of about 650° C. while also post injecting additional hydrocarbon fuel to react with the absorbed SOX. Reformate gas 22, as opposed to hydrocarbon fuel, reacts with the absorbed SOX at a temperature lower than 650° C. to regenerate NOX trap 14 and remove SOX absorbed by NOX trap 14 to allow NOX trap 14 to more efficiently and effectively trap NOX therein.
  • The temperature of NOX trap 14 is raised by raising the temperature of untreated exhaust gases 24 advancing through NOX trap 14 from engine 16. Particularly, one way to raise the temperature of exhaust gases 24 exiting engine 16 is to reduce an air-to-fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture being introduced into engine 16. The air-to-fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture is controlled by engine control unit 38. It is within the scope of this disclosure for the steps of raising the temperature of NOX trap 14 and advancing reformate gas 22 into NOX trap 14 to be performed contemporaneously or, in the alternative, for one step to be performed before the other and visa versa. Further, although the present system 10 desulfates NOX trap 14 by both raising the temperature of NOX trap 14 and advancing reformate fuel 22 into NOX trap 14, it is within the scope of this disclosure to remove SOX from NOX trap 14 without the need to raise the temperature of NOX trap 14 by advancing reformate fuel 22 into NOX trap 14 without the need to raise the temperature of NOX trap 14 at all.
  • Hence, the control scheme of the present disclosure includes a routine for selectively raising the temperature of the NOX trap 14 to allow reformate gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be introduced into NOX trap 14 to react with accumulated SOX therein thereby removing the SOX and regenerating the NOX trap 14. The duration of the SOX purge may be configured to ensure that all (or substantially all) of the accumulated SOX has been purged from NOX trap 14. In general, a SOX regeneration of NOX trap 14 is performed as a response to generation of a SOX purge request. A SOX purge request may be generated in response to any number of events.
  • One exemplary way to determine whether a SOX purge (or desulfation) of NOX trap 14 is to be performed is to purge the accumulated SOX from NOX trap 14 after regenerating the NOX from within NOX trap 14 a predetermined number of times. Such a control routine 100 is shown in FIG. 3 and begins with step 102 where reformer controller 26 determines whether a NOX purge of NOX trap 14 has been requested. Illustratively, a NOX purge may be requested as a result of any number of factors including, time lapse since last NOX purge, NOX saturation of NOX trap 14, etcetera.
  • If a NOX purge has not been requested, control routine 100 loops back to the beginning and continues to determine whether a NOX purge has been requested. However, if a NOX purge request has been sensed by the reformer controller 26, control routine 100 advances to step 104 and a NOX purge of NOX trap 14 is performed. Illustratively, NOX trap 14 may be purged raising the temperature of NOX trap 14 to a predetermined temperature and advancing reformed fuel through NOX trap 14, similar to SOX regeneration of NOX trap 14. However, the temperature required for NOX regeneration of NOX trap 14 is generally less than the temperature required for SOX regeneration of NOX trap 14. In other words, a NOX purge may be performed at a lower temperature than a SOX purge. It is within the scope of this disclosure for a NOX purge to be accomplished by other means as well.
  • Once a NOX purge has been performed, control routine 100 advances to step 106 to determine the number of NOX purges performed (NP) since the previous SOX purge of NOX trap 14. Once the number of NOX purges performed (NP) has been determined, control routine 100 advances to step 108. As shown in step 108, reformer controller 26 compares the number of NOX purges performed (NP) since the previous SOX purge of NOX trap 14 to a set point number (N). If the number of NOX purges performed (NP) is less than set point number (N), the control routine 100 loops back to step 102 to determine whether a NOX purge has been requested. However, if the number of NOX purges performed (NP) is greater than or equal to the set point number of NOX purges (N), a control signal is generated, and the control routine 100 advances to step 110.
  • In step 110, SOX is purged from NOX trap 14 in the manner described above. In particular, reformer controller 26 may generate a control signal on signal line 30 thereby instructing the fuel reformer 12 to advance reformate gas to NOX trap 14 while also generating a control signal on signal line 42 instructing engine control unit 38 to operate the engine to cause a higher temperature exhaust gas 24 to be advanced from engine 16 to NOX trap 14. As such, engine control unit 38 may generate a control signal on line 40 instructing engine 16 to decrease the air-to-fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture introduced into engine 16 to raise the temperature of the untreated exhaust gas 24.
  • In another control routine 200, shown in FIG. 4, SOX which accumulates within NOX trap 14 is regularly purged at predetermined time intervals. In general, control routine 200 begins with step 202 in which the reformer controller 26 determines the time which has lapsed (TL) since SOX was last purged from NOX trap 14, or more particularly, since fuel reformer 12 was last instructed to introduce reformate gas 22 into NOX trap 14 to desulfate NOX trap 14. Once controller 26 has determined the time which has lapsed (TL), the control routine 200 advances to step 204. In step 204, controller 26 compares the time which has lapsed (TL) to a predetermined set point time period (T). In particular, as described herein, a predetermined time period (T) between SOX purge cycles may be established as desired.
  • If the amount of time lapsed (TL) is less than the set point time period (T), the control routine 200 loops back to step 202 to continue monitoring the time which has lapsed since the last SOX regeneration. It is within the scope of this disclosure for controller 26 to measure a predetermined amount of lapsed time from any step or reference point within control routine 200 or general operation of system 10. If, however, the amount of time lapsed (TL) is greater than or equal to the set point time period (T), the control routine advances to step 206 to desulfate or purge NOX trap 14. NOX trap 14 is desulfated in the manner discussed above with respect to control routine 100.
  • In yet another illustrative control routine 300, shown in FIG. 5, NOX trap 14 is desulfated based upon the accumulation of SOX within NOX trap 14. Control routine begins with step 302 in which reformer controller 26 determines the amount of SOX (SA) which has accumulated within NOX trap 14. This may be accomplished through the use of a sensor or group of sensors associated with NOX trap 14 and provided to indirectly measure or detect the amount of SOX accumulated within NOX trap 14. Such a sensor or sensors may be electrically coupled to reformer controller 26 via a signal line (not shown) so that controller 26 may scan or otherwise read the signal line in order to monitor output from the sensor(s). The output signals produced by the sensor(s) would be indicative of the amount of SOX (SA) within NOX trap 14. Once the controller 26 has determined the amount of accumulated SOX (SA) within NOX trap 14, the control routine 300 advances to step 304.
  • In step 304, controller 26 compares the sensed amount of SOX (SA) within NOX trap 14 to a set point SOX accumulation value (S). In particular, as described herein, a predetermined SOX accumulation value (S), or set point, may be established which corresponds to a particular amount of SOX accumulation within NOX trap 14. If the amount of SOX accumulation (SA) within NOX trap 14 is less than the set point SOX accumulation value (S), the control routine 300 loops back to step 102 to continue monitoring the output from the sensor(s). However, if the SOX accumulation (SA) within NOX trap 14 is equal to or greater than the set point SOX accumulation value (S), a control signal is generated, and the control routine 300 advances to step 306. In step 306, reformer controller 26 operates in the manner described above to desulfate NOX trap 14.
  • As described above, controller 26 operates to desulfate NOX trap 14 by instructing fuel reformer 12 to advance reformate gas 22 into NOX trap 14 and by instructing engine 16 to decrease the air-to-fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture introduced into engine 16 to increase the temperature of untreated exhaust gas 24 for advancement into NOX trap 14. Controller 26 operates in such a manner in response to various signals and/or events, such as after a predetermined number of NOX purges, at predetermined time intervals, or in response to output from one or more sensors, for example. However, it is within the scope of this disclosure for controller 26 (with engine control unit 38) to desulfate NOX trap 14 in response to various other signals and/or conditions.
  • Referring now to FIG. 6, an emission abatement system 410 is provided for use with engine 16 to remove or otherwise decrease the amount of emissions discharged into the atmosphere. System 410 includes a plurality of NOX traps 414 positioned in a parallel flow arrangement for removing NOX from exhaust gas discharged from engine 16. Each NOX trap 414 traps NOX when it is exposed to lean conditions (excess oxygen in exhaust gas) and releases and reduces trapped NOX when exposed to rich conditions (depleted amount of oxygen in exhaust gas) during NOX regeneration of the trap 414.
  • Sulfur substances (e.g., SOX, sulfides, elemental sulfur) present in the exhaust gas have a tendency to become trapped by the NOX traps 414. When this occurs, the ability of the trap 414 to trap and thus remove NOX from the exhaust gas becomes degraded. Because of this potential for sulfur degradation (or sulfur poisoning) of the traps 414, system 410 is configured to desulfurize (i.e., remove sulfur substances from) each trap 410 from time to time.
  • System 410 is configured so that thermal damage to NOX traps 414 due to excessive trap temperatures is avoided during trap desulfurization. Typically, it may take several minutes to desulfurize one trap 414. The trap 414 would be at risk for thermal damage due to uncontrolled trap temperature spikes if the trap 414 were to receive a flow of a desulfurization agent continuously until completion of desulfurization. Such a risk could possibly increase further in the event that oxgyen present in the exhaust gas were allowed (intentionally or unintentionally) to slip into the line containing the trap 414. To avoid such thermal damage, system 410 employs a “sequential cycling” method of desulfurizing the traps 414. In particular, once the system 410 determines that desulfurization is to take place, it causes a desulfurization agent to advance to the NOX traps 414 in sequential order for a plurality of cycles and causes exhaust gas to advance to each trap 414 not receiving the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles.
  • During each cycle, each trap 414 receives the desulfurization agent for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a few seconds such as 5-15 seconds). The temperature of the trap 414 may begin to elevate during each period that it receives the desulfurization agent but it does not elevate beyond the thermal damage temperature threshhold because the predetermined period of time is not long enough to allow for such excessive temperature elevation. Moreover, when the trap 414 is not receiving the desulfurization agent, it is receiving a cooling flow of exhaust gas, thereby further promoting protection of trap 414 from thermal damage. Since the predetermined period of time that each trap 414 receives the desulfurization agent during each cycle is not long enough for complete desulfurization, system 410 cycles the desulfurization agent to the traps 414 for a plurality of cycles. As such, the cumulative time that each trap 414 receives the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles is sufficient to complete desulfurization of each trap 414. System 410 is thus able to control the temperature of traps 414 by use of this sequential cycling desulfurization method.
  • System 410 includes a controller 426 that is electrically coupled to a desulfurization agent supplier 428 via a supplier control line 430 and a valve arrangement 432 via a valve control line 434. Valve arrangement 432 is fluidly coupled to supplier 428 via a desulfurization agent line 436 to receive a desulfurization agent from supplier 428 and is fluidly coupled to engine 16 via an exhaust gas line 438 to receive exhaust gas from engine 16. Valve arrangement 432 is fluidly coupled to NOX traps 414 via trap lines 440. Controller 426 may be separate from or integrated with the engine control unit used to control operation of engine 16. When it is integrated with the engine control unit, controller 426 is coupled to engine 16 via line 442.
  • Controller 426 comprises a processor 32 and a memory device 34 electrically coupled to processor 32. Memory device 34 has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by processor 32, causes processor 32 (i) to determine if desulfurization of the NOX traps 414 is to be performed and to generate a desulfurization signal in response thereto, and (ii) to operate the desulfurization agent supplier 428 and the valve arrangement 432 to advance desulfurization agent from supplier 428 to the NOX traps in sequential order for a plurality of cycles and exhaust gas from engine 16 to each NOX trap not receiving the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal so as to desulfurize the NOX traps 414. Controller 426 operates supplier 428 and valve arrangement 432 by sending signals over lines 430 and 434, respectively. A control routine 500 for desulfurizing NOX traps 414 is discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 8.
  • The desulfurization agent is used to desulfurize the NOX traps 414. Each NOX trap 414 has a catalyst component for catalyzing oxidation and reduction reactions and a storage component (made of, for example, a metal oxide such as barium oxide or potassium oxide) for storing NOX. Both the catalyst component and the storage component are susceptible to poisoning by sulfur substances. The catalyst and storage components are desulfurized by use of the desulfurization agent according to control routine 500.
  • In an implementation of supplier 428, the desulfurization agent supplier 428 is a hydrocarbon supplier for injecting a desulfurization agent comprising hydrocarbons upstream of NOX traps 414 for passage thereto. In one example, the hydrocarbon supplier is a diesel fuel supplier which supplies a desulfurization agent comprising diesel fuel for desulfurizing the traps 414.
  • In another implementation of supplier 428 the desulfurization agent supplier 428 is a fuel reformer assembly having fuel reformer 12 and power supply 28 (discussed above). The fuel reformer 12 produces a reformate gas including hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide. The hydrogen and carbon monoxide act as the desulfurization agent. Compared to use of diesel fuel, use of reformate gas from fuel reformer 12 may enable achievement of lower NOX trap desulfurization temperatures and may result in formation of less soot and less precious metal sulfides, less hydrocarbon slippage past traps 414, and a lower fuel penalty. Exemplarily, the fuel reformer 12 is a plasma fuel reformer.
  • Use of the sequential cycling method disclosed herein facilitates use of a desulfurization agent lambda value which is between about 0.4 and about 0.7 or between about 0.4 and about 0.5 (the lambda value is the air-to-fuel ratio of the desulfurization agent divided by the stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio of the fuel used). Use of such a lambda value facilitates desulfurization of traps 414 at a lower desulfurization temperature than when a higher lambda value (e.g., 0.9 to 0.95) is used. The desulfurization agent can have such a lambda value when the desulfurization agent comprises, for example, diesel fuel.
  • Valve arrangement 432 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, in one implementation of valve arrangement 432, a valve arrangement 432 a is useful when there are only two NOX traps 414 a, 414 b, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. Valve arrangement 432 a has a single valve 444 under the control of controller 426 to rotate in a valve housing 446 between a first position (shown in solid in FIG. 7) and a second position (shown in phantom in FIG. 7) to direct flow of the desulfurization agent and flow of the exhaust gas between the two NOX traps 414 a, 414 b. In the first position, the valve 444 directs the flow of the desulfurization agent to the first NOX trap 414 a and the flow of the exhaust gas to the second NOX trap 414 b while blocking the flow of the desulfurization agent to the second NOX trap 414 b and the flow of the exhaust gas to the first NOX trap 414 a. In the second position, the valve 444 directs the flow of the desulfurization agent to the second NOX trap 414 b and the flow of the exhaust gas to the first NOX trap 414 a while blocking the flow of the desulfurization agent to the first NOX trap 414 a and the flow of the exhaust gas to the second NOX trap 414 b. As such, valve arrangement 432 a alternates a flow of the desulfurization agent and a flow of the exhaust gas between the two NOX traps 414 a and 414 b for the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
  • In another implementation of the valve arrangement 432, there are two valves associated with each trap 414, a desulfurization valve and an exhaust gas valve. Each desulfurization valve is under the control of controller 426 to selectively allow and block flow of the desulfurization agent to the associated trap 414. Each exhaust gas valve is under the control of controller 426 to selectively allow and block flow of the exhaust gas to the associated trap 414.
  • Referring to FIG. 8, a desulfurization control routine 500 is provided. At step 502, the controller 426 determines if desulfurization of the NOX traps 414 is to be performed. A variety of methods can be used to determine whether to desulfurize the traps 414. In a first example, controller 426 uses a scheme in which desulfurization occurs once the NOX traps 414 have been purged of NOX a predetermined number of times since the last desulfurization event, similar to control routine 100. In a second example, the controller 426 uses a time-based scheme in which desulfurization occurs at predetermined intervals, similar to control routine 200. In a third example, the controller 426 uses a sulfur-accumulation-based scheme in which desulfurization occurs once accumulation of a predetermined amount of sulfur substances in NOX traps 414 has reached a predetermined limit, similar to control routine 300. Such an accumulation limit can be detected indirectly by use of a NOX sensor downstream from traps 414. In a fourth example, controller 426 uses information provided by a variety of sensors along with look-up tables stored in memory device 34.
  • If controller 426 determines that it is not time to desulfurize traps 414, control routine 500 loops back to the beginning of the routine. If controller 426 determines that desulfurization is to take place, it generates the desulfurization signal to initiate desulfurization and control routine 500 advances to step 504.
  • At step 504, the controller sets N (representative of a particular NOX trap) to equal 1 to start the first cycle. After this, the control routine 500 advances to step 506.
  • At step 506, the controller 426 operates supplier 428 and valve arrangement 432 to cause desulfurization agent to advance to the first NOX trap while exhaust gas is advanced to all the other NOX trap(s) 414. The controller 426 keeps track of the amount of time that the first NOX trap receives the desulfurization agent. At step 508, the controller 426 determines whether this time is less than a predetermined period of time (TD). If the answer is yes, the controller 426 causes desulfurization of the first trap 414 to continue. If the answer is no (i.e., TD has been reached), the control routine 500 advances to step 510.
  • At step 510, the controller 426 determines whether all NOX traps have been desulfurized for the predetermined period of time so as to complete the first cycle. If the answer is no, the control routine 500 advances first to step 512 where the controller 426 adds one increment to N and then advances back to step 506 where the controller 426 causes desulfurization of the second NOX trap 414 for the predetermined period of time (TD). The control routine 500 continues to loop in this manner until each trap 414 has been desulfurized for the predetermined period of time (TD) to thereby complete the first cycle. After completing the first cycle, the control routine advances to step 514.
  • At step 514, the controller 426 determines whether to repeat the cycle to sequentially desulfurize the traps 414, each for the predetermined period of time (TD). In one example, this decision whether to repeat the cycle is based on whether a the traps 414 have been desulfurized for a predetermined number of cycles (i.e., whether a predetermined number of cycles has been reached). In another example, this decision is based on whether the cumulative amount of time elapsed since generation of the desulfurization signal has reached a predetermined time limit (e.g., several minutes such as 10 to 15 minutes). In another example, this decision is based on the amount of sulfur substance stored in traps 414, which can be indirectly determined by sensing NOX at a location downstream from traps 414. If controller 426 determines that the cycle is to be repeated, control routine 500 returns to step 504 where N is set to equal one again to thereby begin a new cycle of sequential desulfurization of traps 414. If the controller 426 determines that cycling is to cease, control routine 500 returns to the beginning of the routine 500 due to completion of desulfurization of the traps 414.
  • It is within the scope of this disclosure to pre-heat the NOX traps 414 by use of one or more heaters (not shown) to raise the temperature of the NOX traps to a predetermined desulfurization temperature conducive to their desulfurization. In one example, there is only one heater placed upstream from the NOX traps to heat all the NOX traps. In another example, there is a heater placed in each trap line 440 upstream from the associated trap 414. Each heater may or may not be under the control of controller 426. Each heater may be a diesel oxidation catalyst, a fuel-fired burner, an electric heater, or the like. When a plasma fuel reformer is used as the supplier 428 to produce the desulfurization agent, pre-heating of the traps 414 by one or more heaters may not be needed.
  • While the concepts of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
  • There are a plurality of advantages of the concepts of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the systems described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of each of the systems of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. A method of desulfating a NOX trap including the steps of:
operating a fuel reformer so as to produce a reformate gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide,
advancing the reformate gas into the NOX trap to react the hydrogen and carbon monoxide with SOX trapped on the NOX trap to remove SOX from the NOX trap, and
raising the temperature within the NOX trap during the advancing step.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of raising the temperature within the NOX trap includes raising the temperature of exhaust gases advancing through the NOX trap from an internal combustion engine.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of raising the temperature further includes reducing an air-to-fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture being introduced into the internal combustion engine.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein raising the temperature further includes raising the NOX trap to a temperature less than about 650° C.
5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of determining if the NOX trap is to be purged of SOX and generating a purge-SOX signal in response thereto, and wherein the advancing step further includes advancing the reformate gas into the NOX trap to remove SOX from the NOX trap in response to generation of the purge-SOX signal.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining step comprises determining if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the NOX trap was last purged of SOX and generating a time-lapsed control signal in response thereto, and the advancing step further includes advancing the reformate gas into the NOX trap to remove SOX from the NOX trap in response to generation of the time-lapsed control signal.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining step comprises sensing the amount of SOX within the NOX trap.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein:
the sensing step includes the step of generating a trap-saturated control signal when the amount of SOX within the NOX trap reaches a predetermined accumulation level, and
the advancing step includes advancing the reformate gas into the NOX trap to remove the SOX within the NOX trap in response to the generation of the trap-saturated control signal.
9. A method of desulfurizing a plurality of NOX traps positioned in a parallel flow arrangement, the method comprising the steps of:
determining if desulfurization of the NOX traps is to be performed and generating a desulfurization signal in response thereto, and
advancing, in response to the desulfurization signal, (i) a desulfurization agent to the NOX traps in sequential order for a plurality of cycles and (ii) internal combustion engine exhaust gas to each NOX trap not receiving the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the advancing step comprises blocking flow of the exhaust gas to whichever NOX trap is receiving the desulfurization agent.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the desulfurization agent to each NOX trap for a predetermined period of time during each cycle.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the advancing step comprises operating a valve arrangement so as to control flow of the desulfurization agent and flow of the exhaust gas between the NOX traps for the plurality of cycles.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein:
each NOX trap comprises a catalyst component for catalyzing oxidation and reduction reactions and a storage component for storing NOX, and
the advancing step comprises desulfurizing the catalyst component and the storage component of each NOX trap.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the advancing step comprises (i) operating a plasma fuel reformer so as to produce a reformate gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide and (ii) advancing the reformate gas to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing diesel fuel to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles.
16. A method of desulfurizing a plurality of NOX traps positioned in a parallel flow arrangement, the method comprising the steps of:
determining if desulfurization of the NOX traps is to be performed and generating a desulfurization signal in response thereto, and
advancing a desulfurization agent to the NOX traps in sequential order for a plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of NOX traps comprise first and second NOX traps, and the advancing step comprises alternating a flow of the desulfurization agent and a flow of exhaust gas between the first and second NOX traps for the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the advancing step comprises moving a valve in response to the desulfurization signal a plurality of times between (i) a first position directing the flow of the desulfurization agent to the first NOX trap and the flow of the exhaust gas to the second NOX trap, and (ii) a second position directing the flow of the desulfurization agent to the second NOX trap and the flow of the exhaust gas to the first NOX trap.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the advancing step comprises cooling each NOX trap not receiving the desulfurization agent with exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine during the plurality of cycles.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the advancing step comprises blocking flow of the exhaust gas to whichever NOX trap is receiving the desulfurization agent.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein the advancing step comprises (i) operating a fuel reformer so as to produce a reformate gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide and (ii) advancing the reformate gas to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing diesel fuel to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing a desulfurization agent comprising diesel fuel and having a lambda value between about 0.4 and about 0.7 to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles.
24. An emission abatement system, comprising:
a plurality of NOX traps positioned in a parallel flow arrangement,
a desulfurization agent supplier for supplying a desulfurization agent,
a valve arrangement for directing flow of the desulfurization agent and internal combustion engine exhaust gas between the NOX traps, and
a controller electrically coupled to the desulfurization agent supplier and the valve arrangement, the controller comprising a processor and a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:
determine if desulfurization of the NOX traps is to be performed and generate a desulfurization signal in response thereto, and
operate, in response to the desulfurization signal, the desulfurization agent supplier and the valve arrangement to advance (i) the desulfurization agent to the NOX traps in sequential order for a plurality of cycles and (ii) the exhaust gas to each NOX trap not receiving the desulfurization agent during the plurality of cycles.
25. The emission abatement system of claim 24, wherein:
the plurality of NOX traps comprise two NOX traps, and
the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to operate the valve arrangement to alternate a flow of the desulfurization agent and a flow of the exhaust gas between the two NOX traps for the plurality of cycles in response to the desulfurization signal.
26. The emission abatement system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to operate the valve arrangement so as to block flow of exhaust gas to whichever NOX trap is receiving the desulfurization agent.
27. The emission abatement system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to operate the desulfurization agent supplier and the valve arrangement to advance the desulfurization agent to each NOX trap for a predetermined period of time during each cycle.
28. The emission abatement system of claim 24, wherein:
the desulfurization agent supplier is a plasma fuel reformer, and
the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to operate the plasma fuel reformer and the valve arrangement so as to advance a reformate gas produced by the plasma fuel reformer to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles.
29. The emission abatement system of claim 24, wherein:
the desulfurization agent supplier is a hydrocarbon supplier, and
the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to operate the hydrocarbon supplier and the valve arrangement so as to advance hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon supplier to the NOX traps in sequential order for the plurality of cycles.
US10/885,213 2002-09-18 2004-07-06 Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap Abandoned US20050000210A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/885,213 US20050000210A1 (en) 2002-09-18 2004-07-06 Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/245,884 US6758035B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2002-09-18 Method and apparatus for purging SOX from a NOX trap
US10/885,213 US20050000210A1 (en) 2002-09-18 2004-07-06 Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/245,884 Continuation-In-Part US6758035B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2002-09-18 Method and apparatus for purging SOX from a NOX trap

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050000210A1 true US20050000210A1 (en) 2005-01-06

Family

ID=31992203

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/245,884 Expired - Fee Related US6758035B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2002-09-18 Method and apparatus for purging SOX from a NOX trap
US10/885,213 Abandoned US20050000210A1 (en) 2002-09-18 2004-07-06 Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/245,884 Expired - Fee Related US6758035B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2002-09-18 Method and apparatus for purging SOX from a NOX trap

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US6758035B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1540149A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005539175A (en)
CN (1) CN1682016A (en)
AU (1) AU2003258979A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004027227A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050229589A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-20 Mitsubishi Fuso Truck And Bus Corporation Exhaust gas purifying device for engine
WO2006093357A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-08 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
US20060282213A1 (en) * 2005-06-08 2006-12-14 Caterpillar Inc. Integrated regeneration and engine controls
FR2913056A1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-08-29 Renault Sas Exhaust gas treating module purging method for e.g. diesel engine of motor vehicle, involves controlling reformer, engine and/or valve to purge nitrogen oxide trap or to modify values of operating parameters towards stored/determined range
US20090101544A1 (en) * 2004-04-02 2009-04-23 Lindstrom Bard Apparatus and method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel
US20110258983A1 (en) * 2010-04-23 2011-10-27 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Reconfigurable mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system and method of using the same
WO2011084866A3 (en) * 2010-01-07 2011-11-10 Dresser-Rand Company Exhaust catalyst pre-heating system and method

Families Citing this family (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030226350A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2003-12-11 Ke Liu Reducing oxides of nitrogen using reformate generated from engine fuel, water and/or air
US6832473B2 (en) * 2002-11-21 2004-12-21 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Method and system for regenerating NOx adsorbers and/or particulate filters
US6964156B2 (en) * 2003-10-23 2005-11-15 Hydrogensource Llc Intermittent application of syngas to NOx trap and/or diesel engine
GB2408470B (en) * 2003-11-25 2007-06-13 Arvin Internat An internal combustion engine exhaust system
US7114324B2 (en) * 2004-03-19 2006-10-03 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method for operating a lean burn engine with an aftertreatment system including nonthermal plasma discharge device
US20050223698A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-13 Mitsubishi Fuso Truck And Bus Corporation Exhaust gas cleaning device
WO2006062124A1 (en) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-15 Hino Motors, Ltd. Exhaust gas purification device
US8006484B2 (en) * 2005-02-14 2011-08-30 Eaton Corporation Systems and methods for reducing emissions of internal combustion engines using a fuel processor bypass
US7803338B2 (en) * 2005-06-21 2010-09-28 Exonmobil Research And Engineering Company Method and apparatus for combination catalyst for reduction of NOx in combustion products
US7743602B2 (en) * 2005-06-21 2010-06-29 Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Co. Reformer assisted lean NOx catalyst aftertreatment system and method
JP2007100578A (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-04-19 Toyota Motor Corp Exhaust emission control device of internal combustion engine
US7712308B2 (en) * 2005-11-08 2010-05-11 Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. Selective catalyst reduction of nitrogen oxides with hydrogen
US20090262356A1 (en) * 2008-03-27 2009-10-22 Plexera, Llc User interface and method for using an spr system
US7669408B2 (en) * 2005-12-02 2010-03-02 Eaton Corporation LNT desulfation strategy with reformer temperature management
US7370472B2 (en) * 2006-01-12 2008-05-13 Emcon Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for determining loading of an emissions trap by use of transfer function analysis
US7398643B2 (en) * 2006-05-16 2008-07-15 Dana Canada Corporation Combined EGR cooler and plasma reactor
WO2008053006A1 (en) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-08 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Process for the production of hydrogen and the use thereof and a process for the operation of a internal combustion engine
US8266897B2 (en) * 2006-12-28 2012-09-18 Caterpillar Inc. Low temperature emission system having turbocharger bypass
US8109078B2 (en) * 2007-02-19 2012-02-07 Erik Paul Johannes Method of operating a syngas generator
JP4803107B2 (en) * 2007-05-15 2011-10-26 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Exhaust gas purification device for internal combustion engine
US20100018476A1 (en) * 2007-05-31 2010-01-28 Svetlana Mikhailovna Zemskova On-board hydrogen generator
FR2919666B1 (en) * 2007-08-03 2009-10-09 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT OF A REAGENT IN AN EXHAUST LINE
US20090173058A1 (en) * 2008-01-09 2009-07-09 General Electric Company System and method for the on-board production of reductants
US20100251700A1 (en) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-07 Basf Catalysts Llc HC-SCR System for Lean Burn Engines
US8230826B2 (en) * 2010-04-08 2012-07-31 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Selectively storing reformate
CN102162389B (en) * 2011-03-30 2013-03-13 北京工业大学 Reformed-gas-based device and method for purifying engine tail gas
US9555372B2 (en) * 2015-01-09 2017-01-31 Caterpillar Inc. Fuel reformer for De-NOx trap
US10260460B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2019-04-16 Caterpillar Inc. Feedback control of fuel reformer-engine system
KR20180102335A (en) * 2017-03-07 2018-09-17 주식회사 아모그린텍 Hydrogen reformer using exhaust gas

Citations (96)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2787730A (en) * 1951-01-18 1957-04-02 Berghaus Glow discharge apparatus
US3018409A (en) * 1953-12-09 1962-01-23 Berghaus Elektrophysik Anst Control of glow discharge processes
US3035205A (en) * 1950-08-03 1962-05-15 Berghaus Elektrophysik Anst Method and apparatus for controlling gas discharges
US3423562A (en) * 1965-06-24 1969-01-21 Gen Electric Glow discharge apparatus
US3594609A (en) * 1967-04-17 1971-07-20 Mini Ind Constructillor Plasma generator with magnetic focussing and with additional admission of gas
US3649195A (en) * 1969-05-29 1972-03-14 Phillips Petroleum Co Recovery of electrical energy in carbon black production
US3755131A (en) * 1969-03-17 1973-08-28 Atlantic Richfield Co Apparatus for electrolytic purification of hydrogen
US3841239A (en) * 1972-06-17 1974-10-15 Shin Meiwa Ind Co Ltd Method and apparatus for thermally decomposing refuse
US3879680A (en) * 1973-02-20 1975-04-22 Atlantic Res Corp Device for removing and decontaminating chemical laser gaseous effluent
US3894605A (en) * 1972-03-16 1975-07-15 Rolando Salvadorini Thermo-electrically propelled motor-vehicle
US3982962A (en) * 1975-02-12 1976-09-28 United Technologies Corporation Pressurized fuel cell power plant with steam powered compressor
US4033133A (en) * 1976-03-22 1977-07-05 California Institute Of Technology Start up system for hydrogen generator used with an internal combustion engine
US4036131A (en) * 1975-09-05 1977-07-19 Harris Corporation Dampener
US4036181A (en) * 1972-07-13 1977-07-19 Thagard Technology Company High temperature fluid-wall reactors for transportation equipment
US4099489A (en) * 1975-10-06 1978-07-11 Bradley Curtis E Fuel regenerated non-polluting internal combustion engine
US4144444A (en) * 1975-03-20 1979-03-13 Dementiev Valentin V Method of heating gas and electric arc plasmochemical reactor realizing same
US4168296A (en) * 1976-06-21 1979-09-18 Lundquist Adolph Q Extracting tungsten from ores and concentrates
US4339546A (en) * 1980-02-13 1982-07-13 Biofuel, Inc. Production of methanol from organic waste material by use of plasma jet
US4436793A (en) * 1982-09-29 1984-03-13 Engelhard Corporation Control system for hydrogen generators
US4458634A (en) * 1983-02-11 1984-07-10 Carr Edwin R Internal combustion engine with hydrogen producing device having water and oil interface level control
US4469932A (en) * 1980-05-30 1984-09-04 Veb Edelstahlwerk Plasma burner operated by means of gaseous mixtures
US4473622A (en) * 1982-12-27 1984-09-25 Chludzinski Paul J Rapid starting methanol reactor system
US4522894A (en) * 1982-09-30 1985-06-11 Engelhard Corporation Fuel cell electric power production
US4578955A (en) * 1984-12-05 1986-04-01 Ralph Medina Automotive power plant
US4645521A (en) * 1985-04-18 1987-02-24 Freesh Charles W Particulate trap
US4651524A (en) * 1984-12-24 1987-03-24 Arvin Industries, Inc. Exhaust processor
US4657829A (en) * 1982-12-27 1987-04-14 United Technologies Corporation Fuel cell power supply with oxidant and fuel gas switching
US4830492A (en) * 1986-02-24 1989-05-16 Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Spektrochemie und angewandten Spektrochemie e.V. Glow-discharge lamp and its application
US4841925A (en) * 1986-12-22 1989-06-27 Combustion Electromagnetics, Inc. Enhanced flame ignition for hydrocarbon fuels
US4928227A (en) * 1987-11-02 1990-05-22 Ford Motor Company Method for controlling a motor vehicle powertrain
US4963792A (en) * 1987-03-04 1990-10-16 Parker William P Self contained gas discharge device
US4967118A (en) * 1988-03-11 1990-10-30 Hitachi, Ltd. Negative glow discharge lamp
US5085049A (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-02-04 Rim Julius J Diesel engine exhaust filtration system and method
US5095247A (en) * 1989-08-30 1992-03-10 Shimadzu Corporation Plasma discharge apparatus with temperature sensing
US5138959A (en) * 1988-09-15 1992-08-18 Prabhakar Kulkarni Method for treatment of hazardous waste in absence of oxygen
US5143025A (en) * 1991-01-25 1992-09-01 Munday John F Hydrogen and oxygen system for producing fuel for engines
US5205912A (en) * 1989-12-27 1993-04-27 Exxon Research & Engineering Company Conversion of methane using pulsed microwave radiation
US5207185A (en) * 1992-03-27 1993-05-04 Leonard Greiner Emissions reduction system for internal combustion engines
US5212431A (en) * 1990-05-23 1993-05-18 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Electric vehicle
US5228529A (en) * 1991-12-17 1993-07-20 Stuart Rosner Method for renewing fuel cells using magnesium anodes
US5284503A (en) * 1992-11-10 1994-02-08 Exide Corporation Process for remediation of lead-contaminated soil and waste battery
US5293743A (en) * 1992-05-21 1994-03-15 Arvin Industries, Inc. Low thermal capacitance exhaust processor
US5317996A (en) * 1991-07-17 1994-06-07 Lansing Joseph S Self-starting multifuel rotary piston engine
US5409784A (en) * 1993-07-09 1995-04-25 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Plasmatron-fuel cell system for generating electricity
US5409785A (en) * 1991-12-25 1995-04-25 Kabushikikaisha Equos Research Fuel cell and electrolyte membrane therefor
US5412946A (en) * 1991-10-16 1995-05-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha NOx decreasing apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US5425332A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-06-20 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Plasmatron-internal combustion engine system
US5437250A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-08-01 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Plasmatron-internal combustion engine system
US5441401A (en) * 1991-09-13 1995-08-15 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Method of decreasing nitrogen oxides in combustion device which performs continuous combustion, and apparatus therefor
US5445841A (en) * 1992-06-19 1995-08-29 Food Sciences, Inc. Method for the extraction of oils from grain materials and grain-based food products
US5451740A (en) * 1993-12-01 1995-09-19 Fluidyne Engineering Corporation Convertible plasma arc torch and method of use
US5560890A (en) * 1993-07-28 1996-10-01 Gas Research Institute Apparatus for gas glow discharge
US5599758A (en) * 1994-12-23 1997-02-04 Goal Line Environmental Technologies Regeneration of catalyst/absorber
US5660602A (en) * 1994-05-04 1997-08-26 University Of Central Florida Hydrogen enriched natural gas as a clean motor fuel
US5666923A (en) * 1994-05-04 1997-09-16 University Of Central Florida Hydrogen enriched natural gas as a motor fuel with variable air fuel ratio and fuel mixture ratio control
US5715677A (en) * 1996-11-13 1998-02-10 The Regents Of The University Of California Diesel NOx reduction by plasma-regenerated absorbend beds
US5746989A (en) * 1995-08-14 1998-05-05 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Method for purifying exhaust gas of a diesel engine
US5746984A (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-05-05 Low Emissions Technologies Research And Development Partnership Exhaust system with emissions storage device and plasma reactor
US5787864A (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-08-04 University Of Central Florida Hydrogen enriched natural gas as a motor fuel with variable air fuel ratio and fuel mixture ratio control
US5813222A (en) * 1994-10-07 1998-09-29 Appleby; Anthony John Method and apparatus for heating a catalytic converter to reduce emissions
US5826548A (en) * 1990-11-15 1998-10-27 Richardson, Jr.; William H. Power generation without harmful emissions
US5887554A (en) * 1996-01-19 1999-03-30 Cohn; Daniel R. Rapid response plasma fuel converter systems
US5894725A (en) * 1997-03-27 1999-04-20 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for maintaining catalyst efficiency of a NOx trap
US5910097A (en) * 1996-07-17 1999-06-08 Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft Internal combustion engine exhaust emission control system with adsorbers for nitrogen oxides
US5921097A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-07-13 Galbreath, Sr.; Charles E. Purge processor
US5953911A (en) * 1998-02-04 1999-09-21 Goal Line Environmental Technologies Llc Regeneration of catalyst/absorber
US6014593A (en) * 1996-11-19 2000-01-11 Viking Sewing Machines Ab Memory reading module having a transparent front with a keypad
US6012326A (en) * 1996-08-10 2000-01-11 Aea Technology Plc Detection of volatile substances
US6038854A (en) * 1996-08-19 2000-03-21 The Regents Of The University Of California Plasma regenerated particulate trap and NOx reduction system
US6038853A (en) * 1996-08-19 2000-03-21 The Regents Of The University Of California Plasma-assisted catalytic storage reduction system
US6048500A (en) * 1996-06-28 2000-04-11 Litex, Inc. Method and apparatus for using hydroxyl to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gases from the combustion of a fuel
US6047543A (en) * 1996-12-18 2000-04-11 Litex, Inc. Method and apparatus for enhancing the rate and efficiency of gas phase reactions
US6082102A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-07-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft NOx reduction system with a device for metering reducing agents
US6090187A (en) * 1997-04-04 2000-07-18 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus and method for removing particulates in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine collected by exhaust particulate remover apparatus
US6105365A (en) * 1997-04-08 2000-08-22 Engelhard Corporation Apparatus, method, and system for concentrating adsorbable pollutants and abatement thereof
US6122909A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-09-26 Lynntech, Inc. Catalytic reduction of emissions from internal combustion engines
US6125629A (en) * 1998-11-13 2000-10-03 Engelhard Corporation Staged reductant injection for improved NOx reduction
US6130260A (en) * 1998-11-25 2000-10-10 The Texas A&M University Systems Method for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons
US6170259B1 (en) * 1997-10-29 2001-01-09 Daimlerchrysler Ag Emission control system for an internal-combustion engine
US6176078B1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2001-01-23 Engelhard Corporation Plasma fuel processing for NOx control of lean burn engines
US6182444B1 (en) * 1999-06-07 2001-02-06 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Emission control system
US6199372B1 (en) * 1996-04-26 2001-03-13 Komatsu Ltd. Apparatus and method for regenerating NOx catalyst for diesel engine
US6235254B1 (en) * 1997-07-01 2001-05-22 Lynntech, Inc. Hybrid catalyst heating system with water removal for enhanced emissions control
US6248684B1 (en) * 1992-11-19 2001-06-19 Englehard Corporation Zeolite-containing oxidation catalyst and method of use
US6284157B1 (en) * 1997-12-27 2001-09-04 Abb Research Ltd. Process for producing an H2-CO gas mixture
US20020012618A1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2002-01-31 Leslie Bromberg Plasmatron-catalyst system
US6502391B1 (en) * 1999-01-25 2003-01-07 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust emission control device of internal combustion engine
US20030066287A1 (en) * 2001-10-04 2003-04-10 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine
US6550958B2 (en) * 2000-03-15 2003-04-22 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Domestic kitchen appliance with transmission unit
US20030074893A1 (en) * 2001-10-11 2003-04-24 Southwest Research Institute Systems and methods for controlling diesel engine emissions
US6560958B1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2003-05-13 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Emission abatement system
US20040006977A1 (en) * 2002-07-12 2004-01-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust emission control system of internal combustion engine
US6679051B1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-01-20 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Diesel engine system for use with emission control device
US6691020B2 (en) * 2001-06-19 2004-02-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method and system for optimizing purge of exhaust gas constituent stored in an emission control device
US20040098977A1 (en) * 2002-11-21 2004-05-27 Joachim Kupe Method and system for regenerating NOx adsorbers and/or particulate filters
US6895746B2 (en) * 2002-05-31 2005-05-24 Utc Fuel Cells, Llc Reducing oxides of nitrogen using hydrogen generated from engine fuel and exhaust

Family Cites Families (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR418598A (en) 1909-07-05
GB355210A (en) 1929-02-16 1931-08-20 Ruhrchemie Ag Processes for recovering higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen or gases containing hydrogen
US3622493A (en) 1968-01-08 1971-11-23 Francois A Crusco Use of plasma torch to promote chemical reactions
US4059416A (en) 1972-07-13 1977-11-22 Thagard Technology Company Chemical reaction process utilizing fluid-wall reactors
US3779182A (en) 1972-08-24 1973-12-18 S Camacho Refuse converting method and apparatus utilizing long arc column forming plasma torches
DE2402844A1 (en) 1974-01-22 1975-07-31 Basf Ag METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A GAS MIXTURE CONTAINING ACETYLENE, AETHYLENE, METHANE AND HYDROGEN BY THERMAL SPREAD OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS
DE3048540A1 (en) 1980-12-22 1982-07-22 Adam Opel AG, 6090 Rüsselsheim Exhaust system for vehicle - has reactor producing hydrogen for re-cycling to reduce exhaust pollution
US4431612A (en) 1982-06-03 1984-02-14 Electro-Petroleum, Inc. Apparatus for the decomposition of hazardous materials and the like
JPS60192882A (en) 1984-02-10 1985-10-01 Sutekiyo Uozumi Method to extract mechanical energy via multi-step plasma utilizing h2o
US4625511A (en) 1984-08-13 1986-12-02 Arvin Industries, Inc. Exhaust processor
FR2593493B1 (en) 1986-01-28 1988-04-15 British Petroleum Co PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF REACTIVE GASES RICH IN HYDROGEN AND CARBON OXIDE IN AN ELECTRIC POST-ARC
FR2620436B1 (en) 1987-09-11 1990-11-16 Bp France PROCESS FOR THE ELECTRIC CONVERSION OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE INTO HYDROGEN AND SULFUR AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
SU1519762A1 (en) 1988-02-01 1989-11-07 Предприятие П/Я Г-4567 Method of producing mixture of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids from waste gases
GB2241746A (en) 1990-03-03 1991-09-11 Whittaker D G M Method of energising a working fluid and deriving useful work.
DE4035927A1 (en) 1990-11-12 1992-05-14 Battelle Institut E V METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE USE OF HYDROCARBONS AND BIOMASSES
US5159900A (en) 1991-05-09 1992-11-03 Dammann Wilbur A Method and means of generating gas from water for use as a fuel
US5272871A (en) 1991-05-24 1993-12-28 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho Method and apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxides from internal combustion engine
DE4404617C2 (en) * 1994-02-14 1998-11-05 Daimler Benz Ag Device for the selective catalyzed NO¶x¶ reduction in oxygen-containing exhaust gases from internal combustion engines
US5847353A (en) 1995-02-02 1998-12-08 Integrated Environmental Technologies, Llc Methods and apparatus for low NOx emissions during the production of electricity from waste treatment systems
DE19510804A1 (en) 1995-03-24 1996-09-26 Dornier Gmbh Reduction of nitrogen oxide(s) in vehicle exhaust gas
US5921076A (en) 1996-01-09 1999-07-13 Daimler-Benz Ag Process and apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxides in engine emissions
US5845485A (en) 1996-07-16 1998-12-08 Lynntech, Inc. Method and apparatus for injecting hydrogen into a catalytic converter
DE19644864A1 (en) 1996-10-31 1998-05-07 Reinhard Wollherr Hydrogen fuel cell accumulator, e.g., for use in electric vehicles
JP3645704B2 (en) 1997-03-04 2005-05-11 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Exhaust gas purification device for internal combustion engine
US5832722A (en) * 1997-03-31 1998-11-10 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for maintaining catalyst efficiency of a NOx trap
EP0965734B1 (en) 1998-06-20 2004-10-20 Dr.Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Control strategy for NOx-accumulator
US6152118A (en) 1998-06-22 2000-11-28 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Internal combustion engine
US6655325B1 (en) 1999-02-01 2003-12-02 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Power generation system and method with exhaust side solid oxide fuel cell
DE19924777A1 (en) 1999-05-29 2000-11-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Method for producing an auxiliary fuel from the operating fuel of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine, in particular on motor vehicles
DE19927518B4 (en) 1999-06-16 2004-02-12 Valeo Klimasysteme Gmbh stationary air conditioning
US6311232B1 (en) 1999-07-29 2001-10-30 Compaq Computer Corporation Method and apparatus for configuring storage devices
WO2001014702A1 (en) 1999-08-23 2001-03-01 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Low power compact plasma fuel converter
US6322757B1 (en) 1999-08-23 2001-11-27 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Low power compact plasma fuel converter

Patent Citations (99)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3035205A (en) * 1950-08-03 1962-05-15 Berghaus Elektrophysik Anst Method and apparatus for controlling gas discharges
US2787730A (en) * 1951-01-18 1957-04-02 Berghaus Glow discharge apparatus
US3018409A (en) * 1953-12-09 1962-01-23 Berghaus Elektrophysik Anst Control of glow discharge processes
US3423562A (en) * 1965-06-24 1969-01-21 Gen Electric Glow discharge apparatus
US3594609A (en) * 1967-04-17 1971-07-20 Mini Ind Constructillor Plasma generator with magnetic focussing and with additional admission of gas
US3755131A (en) * 1969-03-17 1973-08-28 Atlantic Richfield Co Apparatus for electrolytic purification of hydrogen
US3649195A (en) * 1969-05-29 1972-03-14 Phillips Petroleum Co Recovery of electrical energy in carbon black production
US3894605A (en) * 1972-03-16 1975-07-15 Rolando Salvadorini Thermo-electrically propelled motor-vehicle
US3841239A (en) * 1972-06-17 1974-10-15 Shin Meiwa Ind Co Ltd Method and apparatus for thermally decomposing refuse
US4036181A (en) * 1972-07-13 1977-07-19 Thagard Technology Company High temperature fluid-wall reactors for transportation equipment
US3879680A (en) * 1973-02-20 1975-04-22 Atlantic Res Corp Device for removing and decontaminating chemical laser gaseous effluent
US3982962A (en) * 1975-02-12 1976-09-28 United Technologies Corporation Pressurized fuel cell power plant with steam powered compressor
US4144444A (en) * 1975-03-20 1979-03-13 Dementiev Valentin V Method of heating gas and electric arc plasmochemical reactor realizing same
US4036131A (en) * 1975-09-05 1977-07-19 Harris Corporation Dampener
US4099489A (en) * 1975-10-06 1978-07-11 Bradley Curtis E Fuel regenerated non-polluting internal combustion engine
US4033133A (en) * 1976-03-22 1977-07-05 California Institute Of Technology Start up system for hydrogen generator used with an internal combustion engine
US4168296A (en) * 1976-06-21 1979-09-18 Lundquist Adolph Q Extracting tungsten from ores and concentrates
US4339546A (en) * 1980-02-13 1982-07-13 Biofuel, Inc. Production of methanol from organic waste material by use of plasma jet
US4469932A (en) * 1980-05-30 1984-09-04 Veb Edelstahlwerk Plasma burner operated by means of gaseous mixtures
US4436793A (en) * 1982-09-29 1984-03-13 Engelhard Corporation Control system for hydrogen generators
US4522894A (en) * 1982-09-30 1985-06-11 Engelhard Corporation Fuel cell electric power production
US4473622A (en) * 1982-12-27 1984-09-25 Chludzinski Paul J Rapid starting methanol reactor system
US4657829A (en) * 1982-12-27 1987-04-14 United Technologies Corporation Fuel cell power supply with oxidant and fuel gas switching
US4458634A (en) * 1983-02-11 1984-07-10 Carr Edwin R Internal combustion engine with hydrogen producing device having water and oil interface level control
US4578955A (en) * 1984-12-05 1986-04-01 Ralph Medina Automotive power plant
US4651524A (en) * 1984-12-24 1987-03-24 Arvin Industries, Inc. Exhaust processor
US4645521A (en) * 1985-04-18 1987-02-24 Freesh Charles W Particulate trap
US4830492A (en) * 1986-02-24 1989-05-16 Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Spektrochemie und angewandten Spektrochemie e.V. Glow-discharge lamp and its application
US4841925A (en) * 1986-12-22 1989-06-27 Combustion Electromagnetics, Inc. Enhanced flame ignition for hydrocarbon fuels
US4963792A (en) * 1987-03-04 1990-10-16 Parker William P Self contained gas discharge device
US4928227A (en) * 1987-11-02 1990-05-22 Ford Motor Company Method for controlling a motor vehicle powertrain
US4967118A (en) * 1988-03-11 1990-10-30 Hitachi, Ltd. Negative glow discharge lamp
US5138959A (en) * 1988-09-15 1992-08-18 Prabhakar Kulkarni Method for treatment of hazardous waste in absence of oxygen
US5095247A (en) * 1989-08-30 1992-03-10 Shimadzu Corporation Plasma discharge apparatus with temperature sensing
US5205912A (en) * 1989-12-27 1993-04-27 Exxon Research & Engineering Company Conversion of methane using pulsed microwave radiation
US5212431A (en) * 1990-05-23 1993-05-18 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Electric vehicle
US5085049A (en) * 1990-07-09 1992-02-04 Rim Julius J Diesel engine exhaust filtration system and method
US5826548A (en) * 1990-11-15 1998-10-27 Richardson, Jr.; William H. Power generation without harmful emissions
US5143025A (en) * 1991-01-25 1992-09-01 Munday John F Hydrogen and oxygen system for producing fuel for engines
US5317996A (en) * 1991-07-17 1994-06-07 Lansing Joseph S Self-starting multifuel rotary piston engine
US5441401A (en) * 1991-09-13 1995-08-15 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Method of decreasing nitrogen oxides in combustion device which performs continuous combustion, and apparatus therefor
US5412946A (en) * 1991-10-16 1995-05-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha NOx decreasing apparatus for an internal combustion engine
US5228529A (en) * 1991-12-17 1993-07-20 Stuart Rosner Method for renewing fuel cells using magnesium anodes
US5409785A (en) * 1991-12-25 1995-04-25 Kabushikikaisha Equos Research Fuel cell and electrolyte membrane therefor
US5207185A (en) * 1992-03-27 1993-05-04 Leonard Greiner Emissions reduction system for internal combustion engines
US5293743A (en) * 1992-05-21 1994-03-15 Arvin Industries, Inc. Low thermal capacitance exhaust processor
US5445841A (en) * 1992-06-19 1995-08-29 Food Sciences, Inc. Method for the extraction of oils from grain materials and grain-based food products
US5284503A (en) * 1992-11-10 1994-02-08 Exide Corporation Process for remediation of lead-contaminated soil and waste battery
US6248684B1 (en) * 1992-11-19 2001-06-19 Englehard Corporation Zeolite-containing oxidation catalyst and method of use
US5409784A (en) * 1993-07-09 1995-04-25 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Plasmatron-fuel cell system for generating electricity
US5560890A (en) * 1993-07-28 1996-10-01 Gas Research Institute Apparatus for gas glow discharge
US5425332A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-06-20 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Plasmatron-internal combustion engine system
US5437250A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-08-01 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Plasmatron-internal combustion engine system
US5451740A (en) * 1993-12-01 1995-09-19 Fluidyne Engineering Corporation Convertible plasma arc torch and method of use
US5660602A (en) * 1994-05-04 1997-08-26 University Of Central Florida Hydrogen enriched natural gas as a clean motor fuel
US5666923A (en) * 1994-05-04 1997-09-16 University Of Central Florida Hydrogen enriched natural gas as a motor fuel with variable air fuel ratio and fuel mixture ratio control
US5813222A (en) * 1994-10-07 1998-09-29 Appleby; Anthony John Method and apparatus for heating a catalytic converter to reduce emissions
US5599758A (en) * 1994-12-23 1997-02-04 Goal Line Environmental Technologies Regeneration of catalyst/absorber
US5787864A (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-08-04 University Of Central Florida Hydrogen enriched natural gas as a motor fuel with variable air fuel ratio and fuel mixture ratio control
US5746989A (en) * 1995-08-14 1998-05-05 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Method for purifying exhaust gas of a diesel engine
US5887554A (en) * 1996-01-19 1999-03-30 Cohn; Daniel R. Rapid response plasma fuel converter systems
US6199372B1 (en) * 1996-04-26 2001-03-13 Komatsu Ltd. Apparatus and method for regenerating NOx catalyst for diesel engine
US5746984A (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-05-05 Low Emissions Technologies Research And Development Partnership Exhaust system with emissions storage device and plasma reactor
US6048500A (en) * 1996-06-28 2000-04-11 Litex, Inc. Method and apparatus for using hydroxyl to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gases from the combustion of a fuel
US5910097A (en) * 1996-07-17 1999-06-08 Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft Internal combustion engine exhaust emission control system with adsorbers for nitrogen oxides
US6012326A (en) * 1996-08-10 2000-01-11 Aea Technology Plc Detection of volatile substances
US6038854A (en) * 1996-08-19 2000-03-21 The Regents Of The University Of California Plasma regenerated particulate trap and NOx reduction system
US6038853A (en) * 1996-08-19 2000-03-21 The Regents Of The University Of California Plasma-assisted catalytic storage reduction system
US5921097A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-07-13 Galbreath, Sr.; Charles E. Purge processor
US5715677A (en) * 1996-11-13 1998-02-10 The Regents Of The University Of California Diesel NOx reduction by plasma-regenerated absorbend beds
US6014593A (en) * 1996-11-19 2000-01-11 Viking Sewing Machines Ab Memory reading module having a transparent front with a keypad
US6047543A (en) * 1996-12-18 2000-04-11 Litex, Inc. Method and apparatus for enhancing the rate and efficiency of gas phase reactions
US5894725A (en) * 1997-03-27 1999-04-20 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for maintaining catalyst efficiency of a NOx trap
US6090187A (en) * 1997-04-04 2000-07-18 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus and method for removing particulates in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine collected by exhaust particulate remover apparatus
US6105365A (en) * 1997-04-08 2000-08-22 Engelhard Corporation Apparatus, method, and system for concentrating adsorbable pollutants and abatement thereof
US6235254B1 (en) * 1997-07-01 2001-05-22 Lynntech, Inc. Hybrid catalyst heating system with water removal for enhanced emissions control
US6082102A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-07-04 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft NOx reduction system with a device for metering reducing agents
US6170259B1 (en) * 1997-10-29 2001-01-09 Daimlerchrysler Ag Emission control system for an internal-combustion engine
US6284157B1 (en) * 1997-12-27 2001-09-04 Abb Research Ltd. Process for producing an H2-CO gas mixture
US5953911A (en) * 1998-02-04 1999-09-21 Goal Line Environmental Technologies Llc Regeneration of catalyst/absorber
US6122909A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-09-26 Lynntech, Inc. Catalytic reduction of emissions from internal combustion engines
US6560958B1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2003-05-13 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Emission abatement system
US20020012618A1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2002-01-31 Leslie Bromberg Plasmatron-catalyst system
US6125629A (en) * 1998-11-13 2000-10-03 Engelhard Corporation Staged reductant injection for improved NOx reduction
US6176078B1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2001-01-23 Engelhard Corporation Plasma fuel processing for NOx control of lean burn engines
US6363716B1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2002-04-02 Engelhard Corporation Plasma fuel processing for NOx control lean burn engines
US6130260A (en) * 1998-11-25 2000-10-10 The Texas A&M University Systems Method for converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons
US6502391B1 (en) * 1999-01-25 2003-01-07 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust emission control device of internal combustion engine
US6182444B1 (en) * 1999-06-07 2001-02-06 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Emission control system
US6718753B2 (en) * 1999-08-23 2004-04-13 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Emission abatement system utilizing particulate traps
US6550958B2 (en) * 2000-03-15 2003-04-22 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Domestic kitchen appliance with transmission unit
US6691020B2 (en) * 2001-06-19 2004-02-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method and system for optimizing purge of exhaust gas constituent stored in an emission control device
US20030066287A1 (en) * 2001-10-04 2003-04-10 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine
US6708486B2 (en) * 2001-10-04 2004-03-23 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine
US20030074893A1 (en) * 2001-10-11 2003-04-24 Southwest Research Institute Systems and methods for controlling diesel engine emissions
US6895746B2 (en) * 2002-05-31 2005-05-24 Utc Fuel Cells, Llc Reducing oxides of nitrogen using hydrogen generated from engine fuel and exhaust
US20040006977A1 (en) * 2002-07-12 2004-01-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust emission control system of internal combustion engine
US6679051B1 (en) * 2002-07-31 2004-01-20 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Diesel engine system for use with emission control device
US20040098977A1 (en) * 2002-11-21 2004-05-27 Joachim Kupe Method and system for regenerating NOx adsorbers and/or particulate filters

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050229589A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-20 Mitsubishi Fuso Truck And Bus Corporation Exhaust gas purifying device for engine
US7785380B2 (en) * 2004-04-02 2010-08-31 Powercell Sweden Ab Method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel
US20090101544A1 (en) * 2004-04-02 2009-04-23 Lindstrom Bard Apparatus and method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel
US20080028745A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2008-02-07 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust Gas Purification Apparatus For Internal Combustion Engine
US7694512B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2010-04-13 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
WO2006093357A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-08 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
US20060282213A1 (en) * 2005-06-08 2006-12-14 Caterpillar Inc. Integrated regeneration and engine controls
US7623953B2 (en) 2005-06-08 2009-11-24 Caterpillar Inc. Integrated regeneration and engine controls
FR2913056A1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-08-29 Renault Sas Exhaust gas treating module purging method for e.g. diesel engine of motor vehicle, involves controlling reformer, engine and/or valve to purge nitrogen oxide trap or to modify values of operating parameters towards stored/determined range
WO2008113946A1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-09-25 Renault S.A.S Method for draining a nitrogen oxide trap by reformat injection and related method
WO2011084866A3 (en) * 2010-01-07 2011-11-10 Dresser-Rand Company Exhaust catalyst pre-heating system and method
US8632741B2 (en) 2010-01-07 2014-01-21 Dresser-Rand Company Exhaust catalyst pre-heating system and method
US20110258983A1 (en) * 2010-04-23 2011-10-27 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Reconfigurable mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system and method of using the same
US8935918B2 (en) * 2010-04-23 2015-01-20 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Reconfigurable mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system and method of using the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003258979A1 (en) 2004-04-08
EP1540149A1 (en) 2005-06-15
WO2004027227A1 (en) 2004-04-01
JP2005539175A (en) 2005-12-22
CN1682016A (en) 2005-10-12
US20040050035A1 (en) 2004-03-18
US6758035B2 (en) 2004-07-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20050000210A1 (en) Method and apparatus for desulfurizing a NOx trap
US20050223699A1 (en) Bypass controlled regeneration of NOx adsorbers
US6843054B2 (en) Method and apparatus for removing NOx and soot from engine exhaust gas
US6959542B2 (en) Apparatus and method for operating a fuel reformer to regenerate a DPNR device
US7628009B2 (en) Exhaust aftertreatment system with transmission control
US7063642B1 (en) Narrow speed range diesel-powered engine system w/ aftertreatment devices
US20090308057A1 (en) Exhaust line of a diesel engine and desulfation method
JP3284274B2 (en) Nitrogen oxide purification control method for diesel vehicles
US20070079605A1 (en) Exhaust aftertreatment system with transmission control
US6267937B1 (en) Heating of a storage trap
US20060075744A1 (en) Apparatus and method for regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine
US20060053776A1 (en) Management of thermal fluctuations in lean NOx adsorber aftertreatment systems
EP2146065A1 (en) Exhaust purification system for internal combustion engine
US20090077947A1 (en) Sulfur purge control method for exhaust gas purifying system and exhaust gas purifying system
JP2005516154A (en) Combined emissions reduction assembly and method of operation thereof
JP2005516154A6 (en) Combined emissions reduction assembly and method of operation thereof
US6715452B1 (en) Method and apparatus for shutting down a fuel reformer
JP4718845B2 (en) System and method for removing hydrogen sulfide from an exhaust stream
US9169765B2 (en) Method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter
US7244281B2 (en) Method and apparatus for trapping and purging soot from a fuel reformer
JP4961110B2 (en) How to remove hydrogen sulfide from the exhaust stream
US7285247B2 (en) Apparatus and method for operating a fuel reformer so as to purge soot therefrom
KR20040063078A (en) Method and system for regenerating, particularly desulfating, a storage-type catalytic converter during the purification of exhaust gases
JP2021188541A (en) Nox elimination device
JP2003027925A (en) Exhaust emission control device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ARVIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MICHIGAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SMALING, RUDOLF M.;CRANE, JR., SAMUEL N.;KHADIYA, NAVIN;REEL/FRAME:015115/0220;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040625 TO 20040908

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION