U.S. patent application number 10/390093 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for apparatus for treatment of exhaust of a combustion device.
Invention is credited to Faye, Ian, Maier, Martin.
Application Number | 20030177759 10/390093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7714135 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030177759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faye, Ian ; et al. |
September 25, 2003 |
Apparatus for treatment of exhaust of a combustion device
Abstract
An apparatus (12) for treatment of exhaust gas of a combustion
device (1) with a catalytically active converter unit (5) includes
a heating device (5) for heating the converter unit (5) with a
hydrogenous heating substance, which reduces substantially the
system-related expenditure, and which substantially improves the
cold-start behavior of the catalytic converter and therefore,
substantially reduces in particular the contaminant exhaust of the
combustion device (1) during its cold start phase. The combustion
device (1) is formed as a supply device (1) for supplying the
hydrogenous heating substance to the converter unit (5).
Inventors: |
Faye, Ian; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; Maier, Martin; (Moeglingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRIKER, STRIKER & STENBY
103 East Neck Road
Huntington
NY
11743
US
|
Family ID: |
7714135 |
Appl. No.: |
10/390093 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/275 ; 60/286;
60/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 10/30 20130101;
Y02T 10/32 20130101; F01N 3/2006 20130101; Y02T 10/12 20130101;
Y02T 10/26 20130101; Y02A 50/2322 20180101; F02B 43/10 20130101;
Y02A 50/20 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/275 ; 60/286;
60/300 |
International
Class: |
F01N 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 19, 2002 |
DE |
102 12 021.8 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
1. Apparatus (12) for treatment of exhaust of a combustion device
(1) with a catalytically active converter unit (5), whereby a
heating apparatus (5) for heating of the converter unit (5) with a
hydrogenous heating substance is provided, characterized in that at
least the combustion device (1) is formed as a supplying device (1)
for supplying the hydrogenous heating substance to the converter
unit (5).
2. Apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that at
least one supply element for supplying the hydrogenous heating
substance is disposed in a flow direction before the combustion
device (1).
3. Apparatus (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the
supply element has at least two supply connections for supply the
heating substance and a fuel of the combustion device (1).
4. Apparatus (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the
supply element is formed as an injection valve.
5. Apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that at
least one generator (8) for production of the hydrogenous heating
substance is provided.
6. Apparatus (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that the
generator (8) is formed as an electrolysis unit (8).
7. Apparatus (12) according to claim 6, characterized in that the
electrolysis unit (8) is formed as a membrane electrolysis unit
(8).
8. Apparatus (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that the
generator (8) includes at least one reformer unit for at least
partially converting fuel.
9. Apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that at
least one storage element (10) for storing the hydrogenous heating
substance is provided.
10. Apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that a
pressurizer (8) for pressurizing the hydrogenous heating substance
is provided.
11. Apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the
converter unit is formed as a heating device.
12. Apparatus (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that an
electrical control unit for controlling a supply element, the
generator (8) or a pressurizer (8) and/or a storage element (10) is
provided.
13. Vehicle with an apparatus (12) for treatment of exhaust of a
combustion device (1), whereby a heating device (5) for heating of
a catalytically active converter unit (5) with a hydrogenous
heating substance is provided, characterized in that the device
(12) is formed according to claim 1.
14. Method for treatment of exhaust of a combustion device (1) with
a catalytically active converter unit (5), whereby a heating device
(5) for heating of the converter unit (5) is used with a
hydrogenous heating substance, characterized in that in a heating
phase of the converter unit (5), the combustion device (1) is used
as a supply device (1) for supplying the hydrogenous heating
substance to the converter unit (5).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that a device
(12) as defined in claim 1 is used.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for treatment
of exhaust gas of a combustion device with a catalytically active
converter unit.
[0002] According to the progressive state of knowledge,
specifications for protection of health and the environment, which
regulate the emissions of motor vehicles, have been completely
tightened-up. For fulfillment of these specifications, for example,
related to the use of correspondingly modified fuel, harmful
exhaust components are removed from the exhaust by means of a
catalytically active converter unit, a so-called catalyzer.
[0003] These catalyzers require, however, determined operating
temperature conditions for fulfilling their function, which in
particular, with the cold start of a corresponding combustion
device, for example, a gas or diesel engine, are generally not
provided.
[0004] Already in motor vehicles, for example, by means of heat
development in the exhaust line before the catalyzer, the exhaust
is heated with the starting process, and thereby, additionally or
more quickly heats the catalytically active condenser plate of the
catalyzer.
[0005] Also, engine-internal features are performed already in
current motor vehicles, such as the change in blocking period, so
that, in particular, by means of so-called "retarded ignitions",
hotter exhaust is produced, which subsequently flows through the
catalytic converter and heats this more intensely. Likewise,
flowing over the catalyzer with rich exhaust upon blowing in of
secondary air is already known, whereby the increased reaction rate
of combustible gases with oxygen again heats the exhaust, and
therewith, indirectly the catalyzer.
[0006] In addition, it is known that corresponding catalyzers can
be heated particularly quickly by supplying hydrogen.
[0007] These already-known devices for heating of the exhaust or
catalyzer, however, are relatively expensive, lead to an increased,
disadvantageous use of fuel, and/or have disadvantageous thermal
resistances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In contrast, an object of the present invention is to
provide an apparatus for the treatment of exhaust of a combustion
device with a catalytically active converter unit, whereby a
heating device for heating the converter unit with a hydrogenous
heating substance is provided, which substantially reduces the
system-related expenditure, and which markedly improves the
cold-start behavior of the catalyzer and, thereby substantially
reduces the contaminant exhaust of the combustion device during its
cold-start phase.
[0009] This object is solved by the apparatus of the present
invention of the above-described type.
[0010] Correspondingly, the inventive apparatus shows that at least
the combustion device is formed as a supply apparatus for supplying
the hydrogenous heating substance to the converter unit.
[0011] With the assistance of the inventive structure of the
combustion device as a supply apparatus, the already-provided
exhaust line is useable as a line for supplying the hydrogenous
heating substance or fuel to the converter unit. Correspondingly,
the additionally necessary, separate supply line for supplying the
hydrogenous heating substance to the converter unit, as in the
prior art, is eliminated. A proportionally long supply line is
necessary, as is customary, since the converter unit in general, in
particular, with motor vehicles, is spaced apart from the
combustion device. On this basis, the constructive expenditure for
supplying the hydrogenous heating substance to the converter unit
is reduced, so that a particularly effective and cost-effective
embodiment of the present invention is realizable.
[0012] Advantageously, in contrast to the "normal" operating manner
of the combustion device, an ignition, in particular, in the
cylinder, is prevented, since otherwise, the hydrogen contained in
the heating substance is converted, and thereby, for heating of the
converter unit, the hydrogen is no longer as warm, or is only as
warm, for disposition.
[0013] According to the present invention, the combustion device
can be formed advantageously as a "passive" supply apparatus,
whereby the supply apparatus makes possible a flowing-through of
the hydrogenous heating substance through the combustion device to
the converter unit. It is also possible that intake and outlet
valves or the like are simultaneously opened, so that the
preferably pressurized heating substance can flow through at least
one cylinder or the like.
[0014] Likewise, the combustion device can be formed in an
advantageous manner as an "active" supply apparatus, whereby this,
for example, is provided as a pump or the like to active
through-pumping of the hydrogenous heating substance to the
converter unit. For example, in this embodiment of the invention,
in particular with the use of a lifting cylinder engine, the
hydrogenous heating substance can be suctioned with a suction cycle
and is supplied to the converter unit, or the catalyzer, in a
discharge cycle. In this manner, the flow-through is carried out in
an advantageous manner by means of corresponding coordination of
the closing or opening of the valves. With this variation, the
invention can be directed possibly at a separate pressurizer for
the supplying of the heating substance to the converter unit. This
reduces the structural expenditure in an advantageous manner.
[0015] Basically, an advantageous, electric control unit can be
provided, in consideration of other apportioning elements for
control, such as valves, spark plugs, reservoirs, compression
ratios and the like. For example, by means of advantageous sensors,
at least one operating parameter of the converter unit and/or the
combustion device, such as, for example, a temperature or the like,
is determined and the control unit for controlling the entire
combustion assembly is regulated.
[0016] Preferably, at least one supply element for supplying the
heating substance is arranged in the flow direction before the
combustion device. In this manner, it is possible that in a
particularly simple manner, the hydrogenous heating substance of
the combustion device is able to be supplied.
[0017] In a preferred manner, the supply element has at least two
supply connections for supplying the heating substance and a fuel
of the combustion device. By using a corresponding supply element
with at least two supply connections, in an advantageous manner, no
additional elements are required, or already-provided valves or the
like, with only minimal modifications according to the invention,
can be used.
[0018] In this connection, with the assistance of this variation,
the use of already-provided standard components, for example,
so-called "bi-fuel injection valves" (BFE) is possible.
Corresponding "bi-fuel injection valves", in particular, those the
Applicants have used to this point, for example, for supplying the
fuel and for supplying of a starting fuel for the combustion device
are used. Likewise, a relatively low-boiling, carbon-hydrogen
containing starting fuel and/or an easily boiling hydrogenous
starter fuel is used.
[0019] In this manner, improvement of the exhaust emissions by
means of corresponding starter fuel, above all, during the
cold-start phase of the combustion device can be achieved.
[0020] According to the present invention, during a heating phase
of the converter unit, that is, from starting to reaching a
specific operating temperature or until expiration of a determined
time, the combustion device is used as a supply device for
supplying the hydrogenous heating substance to the converter unit.
Preferably, in particular with the assistance of the control unit,
a heating phase of the combustion device can be provided. In this
manner, advantageously, ignition of the fuel to be supplied,
hydrogenous heating substance, or a mixture of the heating
substance and fuel to be supplied is possible.
[0021] According to a particular variation of the invention, a
possible pressurized reservoir storage for preparation of the
hydrogenous heating substance is provided. Likewise, this can be
refillable. Alternatively, or in combination herewith, in a
preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one generator, or
production unit, for production of the hydrogenous heating
substance is provided. With the assistance of this generator, a
corresponding reservoir storage can be completely eliminated or can
dimensioned substantially smaller, without impairing the
preparation of the hydrogenous heating substance. Preferably, the
geneartor produces the hydrogenous heating substance in a
particular operating phase.
[0022] Advantageously, the generator is formed as an electrolysis
unit. In this manner, it is possible that by means of the
electrolysis of water or the like through an electric current, the
hydrogenous heating substance can be produced. Water as the output
material for the electrolysis has qualities that are particularly
advantageous to environmental and safety concerns, as well as
relatively low costs. The electrical current required for
electrolysis, for example, can be applied during a particular
operating phase of the electrolysis unit, in which, in particular,
a light machine of the combustion device and/or likewise an
electrical energy storage medium can be used advantageously.
[0023] Preferably, the electrolysis unit is formed as a membrane
electrolysis unit, in which common, commercial standard components
are useable and the hydrogenous heating substance can be produced,
for example, under a pressure of up to 30 bar. Advantageously, in
this manner, the hydrogenous heating substance likewise can be
supplied merely by means of opening and closing of at least one
check valve, or apportioning device, such as, for example, a valve
or the like, of the combustion device or the converter unit.
[0024] Above all, alternatively to using the electrolysis unit, a
reformer unit or the like can be provided for production of the
hydrogenous heating substance for at least partially converting in
an advantageous manner the fuel or combustion fuel of the
combustion device. Likewise, already known reforming-cleaning
substances, such as shift units or the like, can be provided for
increasing the hydrogen portion on the reformer. In this manner, an
apportioned input of hydrogen-containing and
carbon-monoxide-containing reformer can improve significantly the
behavior of the combustion device in specified operating states,
for example during a cold start and/or full-load phase.
[0025] Advantageously, at least one storage element for storage of
the hydrogenous heating substance is provided. Preferably, the
storage element is formed particularly for intermediate storage of
the produced hydrogenous heating substance. For example, during the
operation of the combustion device, the hydrogenous heating
substance can be produced with the produced energy, without dynamic
fuse time, and preferably, can be stored intermediately with the
storage element. Likewise, the heating substance can be produced in
the so-called "best point" of the engine, or the production unit,
with almost optimal efficiency, and possibly can be stored
intermediately, for example, in the idling of the engine.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one
pressurizer for pressurizing the hydrogenous heating substance is
provided. For example, the hydrogenous heating substance produced
by the generator for intermediate storage can be impinged with
pressure in the storage element with a membrane pump or the
like.
[0027] For using the hydrogenous heating substance according to the
invention, the pressurized heating substance can be supplied
without proportionally large energy use for improving the
cold-start behavior of the converter unit and/or the combustion
device. Likewise, the reservoir storage, or the storage element,
can be filled before the first start of the combustion device with
hydrogenous heating substance. Preferably, the reservoir storage is
formed similarly to the storage element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram, showing a combustion
engine with a fuel tank, a light machine or generator, a battery or
accumulator, and a catalyzer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the
drawing and will next be described with reference to this single
FIGURE.
[0030] In FIG. 1, a combustion engine 1 with a fuel tank 2, for
example, a gas or diesel tank, a so-called light machine 3, or
generator, a battery 4, or accumulator, and a catalyzer 5 are shown
in schematic, block representation.
[0031] The light machine 3 is mechanically coupled by means of a
connection 6 and produces electrical energy during the operation of
the combustion engine 1, the electrical energy being supplied by
means of a line 7 to the battery 4 and/or an electrolyzer 8, or
other electrical consumers 9, for example, to air conditioning, to
Infotainment, to seat adjustments, to automatic window lifters, and
so forth.
[0032] The electrolyzer 8 can also be driven by means of electrical
energy of the battery 4. The electrolyzer 8 converts water in a
non-represented manner, in particular, into a hydrogenous fluid
which, by means of lines 13 and 14, is supplied to a storage 10
and/or directly to the combustion engine 1 (not shown), and
according to the invention, supplied further to the catalyzer 5.
The line 13 has a pump for pressurizing the hydrogen.
[0033] The combustion engine 1, according to the invention, is
controlled by means of a not-specifically illustrated electrical
control unit, so that, for example, no fuel is burned in the
combustion engine 1; rather, the hydrogenous fluid is sluiced
through this in a chemically unaltered form. This hydrogenous fluid
is supplied to the catalyzer 5 by means of an exhaust line 11
already provided in a common, commercial combustion assembly 12 or
motor vehicle during its cold-start phase, so that the catalyzer's
catalytically active condenser plate is heated up extremely quickly
to the necessary operating temperature. In this manner, the
cold-start behavior of the catalyzer as well as the entire
combustion assembly 12 is significantly improved, and without
realizing a large, constructive expenditure.
[0034] For example, upon starting of the combustion assembly 12, a
starter, or so-called "ignition key", is actuated and in a first,
relatively short phase, the catalyzer 5 according to the invention
is heated extremely quickly to the operating temperature by means
of the supply of hydrogenous fluid, preferably from the storage 10
through the combustion engine 1. In contrast to the state of the
art, this additional phase is not noticeable, or hardly noticeable,
to the operator of the starter.
[0035] In a subsequent, second phase, preferably fuel is supplied
from the fuel tank 2 to the combustion engine 1, whereby it is also
contemplated alternatively to supply the hydrogenous heating
substance to the combustion engine 1. Likewise, the supply of the
hydrogenous heating substance can take place simultaneously with
the supply of the fuel, whereby the exhaust of the combustion
engine 1 is positively affected.
[0036] For supply of the hydrogenous fluid and/or the fuel, for
example, commercially common standard components, such as the
so-called "bi-fuel injection valves" can be used, so that no
additional valve for supplying the hydrogenous fluid to the
combustion engine 1 is necessary. In addition, in this manner, the
control of corresponding components, or the realization of the
desired operating phases, are controllable in an advantageous
manner.
[0037] Basically, the emission from contaminant-containing exhaust
is improved by the particularly simple, inventive supplying of the
hydrogenous heating substance to the converter unit or to the
catalyzer 5, in particular, during the cold-start phase of the
combustion assembly 12. In this manner, proportionally strong
exhaust threshold values of the time can be significantly
under-exceeded.
[0038] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0039] While the invention has been illustrated and described
herein as an apparatus for treatment of exhaust of a combustion
device, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,
since various modifications and structural changes may be made
without departing in any way from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0040] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
* * * * *