U.S. patent application number 12/289239 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engine.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takamitsu Asanuma, Yuka Nakata, Hiromasa Nishioka, Hiroshi Otsuki, Kohei Yoshida.
Application Number | 20090107121 12/289239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40261958 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090107121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshida; Kohei ; et
al. |
April 30, 2009 |
Exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engine
Abstract
A SO.sub.x trap catalyst, an oxidation catalyst, a particulate
filter, an aqueous urea supply valve, and a NO.sub.x selective
reduction catalyst are arranged in order from upstream to
downstream in an engine exhaust passage. It is determined whether a
discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S will become
equal to or greater than a preset maximum concentration when
SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst. If it is
estimated that the discharge concentration of the hydrogen sulfide
H.sub.2S will become equal to or greater than the maximum
concentration when SO.sub.x is released, an adsorbed ammonia amount
adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst is reduced
before SO.sub.x is released so that the discharge concentration of
the hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is less than the maximum
concentration when SO.sub.x is released.
Inventors: |
Yoshida; Kohei;
(Gotenba-shi, JP) ; Asanuma; Takamitsu;
(Mishima-shi, JP) ; Nishioka; Hiromasa;
(Susono-shi, JP) ; Otsuki; Hiroshi; (Susono-shi,
JP) ; Nakata; Yuka; (Susono-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
TOYOTA-SHI
JP
|
Family ID: |
40261958 |
Appl. No.: |
12/289239 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/286 ;
60/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 10/12 20130101;
Y02A 50/20 20180101; Y02A 50/2344 20180101; F01N 3/0842 20130101;
Y02T 10/40 20130101; Y02T 10/47 20130101; Y02T 10/24 20130101; F01N
3/2066 20130101; F01N 11/00 20130101; F01N 2570/04 20130101; F01N
3/0814 20130101; F01N 2610/02 20130101; F01N 2570/14 20130101; F01N
13/009 20140601; F01N 2240/00 20130101; F01N 3/0885 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/286 ;
60/299 |
International
Class: |
F01N 9/00 20060101
F01N009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 25, 2007 |
JP |
2007-277724 |
Claims
1. An exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion
engine, comprising: a NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst which
is arranged in an engine exhaust passage and selectively reduces
NO.sub.x in exhaust gas using ammonia when an air-fuel ratio of the
exhaust gas is lean; a SO.sub.x trap catalyst which is arranged in
the engine exhaust passage upstream of the NO.sub.x selective
reduction catalyst and traps SO.sub.x in the exhaust gas; and a
control apparatus that controls the state of the exhaust gas,
wherein the control apparatus i) reduces an adsorbed ammonia amount
adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst before
SO.sub.x is released or ii) reduces the amount of SO.sub.x released
from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst when SO.sub.x is released, such
that a discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide is less than a
preset maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is released.
2. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: an estimating apparatus that estimates whether the
discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide will be equal to or
greater than the maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is released
from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst, wherein when it is estimated that
the discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide will be equal to or
greater than the maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is released,
the control apparatus i) reduces the adsorbed ammonia amount
adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst before
SO.sub.x is released or ii) reduces the amount of SO.sub.x released
from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst when SO.sub.x is released, such
that the discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide is less than
the maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is released.
3. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
when releasing SO.sub.x from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst, the
control apparatus reduces the adsorbed ammonia amount adsorbed on
the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst before SO.sub.x is
released until the adsorbed ammonia amount is less than a preset
maximum adsorption amount.
4. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising: a determining apparatus that determines whether the
adsorbed ammonia amount adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective
reduction catalyst is equal to or greater than the maximum
adsorption amount when SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst, wherein when it is determined that the adsorbed ammonia
amount adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst is
equal to or greater than the maximum adsorption amount, the control
apparatus reduces the adsorbed ammonia amount until the adsorbed
ammonia amount adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst is less than the maximum adsorption amount before
releasing SO.sub.x.
5. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
when releasing SO.sub.x from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst, the
control apparatus sets an air-fuel ratio to a first target air-fuel
ratio when the adsorbed ammonia amount adsorbed on the NO.sub.x
selective reduction catalyst is less than a preset maximum
adsorption amount; and the control apparatus sets the air-fuel
ratio to a second target air-fuel ratio which is greater than the
first target air-fuel ratio when the adsorbed ammonia amount
adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst is equal to
or greater than a maximum adsorption amount and a concentration of
released SO.sub.x is larger than a threshold value.
6. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
if the adsorbed ammonia amount adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective
reduction catalyst is less than the maximum adsorption amount, the
discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide is less than the
maximum concentration regardless of the concentration of released
SO.sub.x; and if the concentration of released SO.sub.x is equal to
or less than the threshold value, the discharge concentration of
hydrogen sulfide is less than the maximum concentration regardless
of the adsorbed ammonia amount.
7. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
when SO.sub.x is to be released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst,
the control apparatus makes the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas
flowing into the SO.sub.x trap catalyst rich.
8. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: an aqueous urea supply valve arranged in the engine
exhaust passage upstream of the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst, wherein when it is estimated that the discharge
concentration of hydrogen sulfide will be equal to or greater than
the maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is released from the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst, the control apparatus i) reduces the amount
of aqueous urea supplied before releasing SO.sub.x or ii) stops the
supply of aqueous urea before releasing SO.sub.x before releasing
SO.sub.x, such that the discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide
is less than the maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is
released.
9. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
when reducing the amount of aqueous urea supplied or stopping the
supply of aqueous urea, the control apparatus increases the amount
of NO.sub.x discharged from the engine.
10. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
when reducing the amount of aqueous urea supplied or stopping the
supply of aqueous urea, the control apparatus raises the
temperature of the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst.
11. The exhaust gas control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
when it is determined that the adsorbed ammonia amount adsorbed on
the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst is equal to or greater
than the maximum adsorption amount when SO.sub.x is released from
the SO.sub.x trap catalyst, the control apparatus reduces the
amount of supplied aqueous urea before releasing SO.sub.x or stops
the supply of aqueous urea before releasing SO.sub.x.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2007-277724 filed on Oct. 25, 2007, including the specification,
drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an exhaust gas control apparatus
for an internal combustion engine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-512529
(JP-A-2006-512529) describes an internal combustion engine which
has a NO.sub.x storage catalyst provided in an engine exhaust
passage and a NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst provided
downstream of the NO.sub.x storage catalyst in the engine exhaust
passage. The NO.sub.x storage catalyst stores NO.sub.x in the
exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of the inflowing exhaust gas is
lean, and releases the stored NO.sub.x when the air-fuel ratio of
the inflowing exhaust gas becomes equal to the stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio or rich. The NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst
is able to selectively reduce NO.sub.x in the exhaust gas using
ammonia when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is lean. When
stored NO.sub.x needs to be released from the NO.sub.x storage
catalyst, the internal combustion engine makes the air-fuel ratio
of the exhaust gas flowing into the NO.sub.x storage catalyst
rich.
[0006] In this internal combustion engine, a large portion of
NO.sub.x produced during combustion with a lean air-fuel ratio is
stored in the NO.sub.x storage catalyst. The NO.sub.x that is not
stored in the NO.sub.x storage catalyst flows into the NO.sub.x
selective reduction catalyst located downstream. In this internal
combustion engine, however, the NO.sub.x released from the NO.sub.x
storage catalyst when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing
into the NO.sub.x storage catalyst is rich reacts with large
amounts of HC in the exhaust gas, producing ammonia NH.sub.3 which
is adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst.
Accordingly, when combustion is performed with a lean air-fuel
ratio, the NO.sub.x that passes through the NO.sub.x storage
catalyst is reduced by this adsorbed ammonia in the NO.sub.x
selective reduction catalyst such that NO.sub.x is able to be
successfully purified.
[0007] Exhaust gas also contains SO.sub.x which also gets stored in
the NO.sub.x storage catalyst. As the amount of SO.sub.x stored in
the NO.sub.x storage catalyst increases, less NO.sub.x is able to
be stored so when a NO.sub.x storage catalyst is used, SO.sub.x
needs to occasionally be released from the NO.sub.x storage
catalyst. In this case, SO.sub.x can be released from the NO.sub.x
storage catalyst by making the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas
flowing into the NO.sub.x storage catalyst is rich when the
temperature of the NO.sub.x storage catalyst is increased to
600.degree. C. or more.
[0008] When SO.sub.x is released from the NO.sub.x storage
catalyst, it reacts with the adsorbed ammonia in the NO.sub.x
selective reduction catalyst, producing hydrogen sulfide. In this
case, however, not much SO.sub.x is released from the NO.sub.x
storage catalyst so not much hydrogen sulfide is produced.
[0009] SO.sub.x in the exhaust gas substantially reduces the
durability and performance of post-processing apparatuses such as
exhaust gas control catalysts so it is necessary to remove it from
the exhaust gas. To do this, it is preferable to provide a SO.sub.x
trap catalyst capable of trapping the SO.sub.x in the exhaust gas.
However, even when such a SO.sub.x trap catalyst is used, the
SO.sub.x must be released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst before
the SO.sub.x trap catalyst becomes saturated with SO.sub.x.
However, unlike the NO.sub.x storage catalyst, the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst is designed to trap SO.sub.x so large amounts of SO.sub.x
are trapped in the SO.sub.x trap catalyst.
[0010] Therefore, when SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst, it is released in large amounts. Accordingly, when a
SO.sub.x trap catalyst is used, large amounts of hydrogen sulfide
are produced in the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst In this
case, when high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are discharged
into the atmosphere, a very irritating odor is produced. Thus there
is a need to keep the concentration of hydrogen sulfide that is
discharged down to an allowable concentration at which the
irritating odor is almost unnoticeable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Therefore one aspect of this invention relates to an exhaust
gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which
includes a NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst which is arranged
in an engine exhaust passage and selectively reduces NO.sub.x in
exhaust gas using ammonia when an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas
is lean, a SO.sub.x trap catalyst which is arranged in the engine
exhaust passage upstream of the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst and traps SO.sub.x in the exhaust gas, and a control
apparatus that controls the state of the exhaust gas. The control
apparatus i) reduces an adsorbed ammonia amount adsorbed on the
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst before SO.sub.x is released
or ii) reduces the amount of SO.sub.x released from the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst when SO.sub.x is released, such that a discharge
concentration of hydrogen sulfide will be less than a preset
maximum concentration when SO.sub.x is released.
[0012] This aspect makes it possible to make the irritating odor
from hydrogen sulfide almost unnoticeable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial
significance of this invention will be described in the following
detailed description of example embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals
denote like elements, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a compression ignition internal
combustion engine;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a surface portion of a
substrate of a SO.sub.x trap catalyst;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a graph showing the release rate of SO.sub.x from
the SO.sub.x trap catalyst and the like;
[0017] FIG. 3B is a graph showing the release rate of SO.sub.x from
the SO.sub.x trap catalyst;
[0018] FIG. 4A is a graph showing an adsorbed ammonia amount and
the like;
[0019] FIG. 4B is a chart showing the relationship between the
adsorbed ammonia amount and the supply timing of aqueous urea;
[0020] FIG. 4C is a map for calculating the amount of NO.sub.x
discharged per unit of time from the engine;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a routine used to control the
supply of aqueous urea;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a routine for releasing
SO.sub.x;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the discharge concentration and
the allowable concentration of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a routine for executing a second
example embodiment of SO.sub.x release control;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a routine for executing a third
example embodiment of SO.sub.x release control;
[0026] FIG. 10A is a chart illustrating control to increase the
amount of NO.sub.x discharged from the engine;
[0027] FIG. 10B is a map for calculating the amount of NO.sub.x
amount discharged per unit of time from the engine;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a routine for executing a fourth
example embodiment of SO.sub.x release control;
[0029] FIGS. 12A and 12B are graphs showing the desorption rate of
adsorbed ammonia;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the allowable concentration of
the discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a routine for executing a fifth
example embodiment of SO.sub.x release control;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the allowable concentration of
the discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S; and
[0033] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a routine for executing a sixth
example embodiment of SO.sub.x release control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a compression ignition internal
combustion engine. This internal combustion engine includes the
engine 1 itself, a combustion chamber 2 in each cylinder,
electronically controlled fuel injection valves 3 for injecting
fuel into the combustion chambers 2, an intake manifold 4, and an
exhaust manifold 5. The intake manifold 4 is connected to an outlet
port of a compressor 7a of an exhaust turbocharger 7 via an intake
duct 6, and an inlet port of the compressor 7a is connected to an
air cleaner 9 via an intake air amount detector 8. A throttle valve
10 which is driven by a step motor is arranged inside the intake
duct 6. Further, a cooling apparatus 11 for cooling the intake air
that flows through the intake duct 6 is arranged around the intake
duct 6. In the first example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the intake
air is cooled by engine coolant that is introduced into the cooling
apparatus 11.
[0035] Meanwhile, the exhaust manifold 5 is connected to an inlet
port of an exhaust turbine 7b of the exhaust turbocharger 7. An
outlet port of the exhaust turbine 7b is connected to an inlet port
of a SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, and an outlet port of the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst 12 is connected to an inlet port of an oxidation
catalyst 13. Further, an outlet port of the oxidation catalyst 13
is connected to an inlet port of a particulate filter 14, and an
outlet port of the particulate filter 14 is connected via an
exhaust pipe 15 to a NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 which
is capable of selectively reducing NO.sub.x in the exhaust gas
using ammonia when the exhaust gas air-fuel ratio is lean. This
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is made from Fe zeolite,
for example.
[0036] An aqueous urea supply valve 17 is arranged in the exhaust
pipe 15 upstream of the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16.
This aqueous urea supply valve 17 is connected via a supply pipe 18
and a supply pump 19 to an aqueous urea tank 20. When aqueous urea
is to be supplied, aqueous urea stored in the aqueous urea tank 20
is injected by the supply pump 19 from the aqueous urea supply
valve 17 into the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust pipe 15.
At this time, the NO.sub.x in the exhaust gas is reduced in the
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 by ammonia
((NH.sub.2).sub.2CO+H.sub.2O.fwdarw.2NH.sub.3+CO.sub.2) produced by
the urea.
[0037] The exhaust manifold 5 and the intake manifold 4 are
connected together via an exhaust gas recirculation (hereinafter
simply referred to as "EGR") passage 21 in which an electronically
controlled EGR control valve 22 is arranged. Also, a cooling
apparatus 23 for cooling EGR gas flowing through the EGR passage 21
is arranged around the EGR passage 21 In the first example
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the EGR gas is cooled by engine coolant
that is introduced into the cooling apparatus 23. Meanwhile, the
fuel injection valves 3 are connected to a common rail 25 via fuel
supply pipes 24. This common rail 25 is connected to a fuel tank 27
via an electronically controlled variable discharge fuel pump 26
which supplies fuel stored in the fuel tank 27 to the common rail
25. The fuel in the common rail 25 is then supplied to the fuel
injection valves 3 via the fuel supply pipes 24.
[0038] An electronic control unit (ECU) 30 is formed of a digital
computer and includes ROM (read only memory) 32, RAM (random access
memory) 33, a CPU (a microprocessor) 34, an input port 35, and an
output port 36, all of which are connected together via a
bidirectional bus 31. A temperature sensor 28 for detecting the bed
temperature of the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is mounted to the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, and a temperature sensor 29 for
detecting the bed temperature of the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst 16 is mounted to the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst
16. Output signals from these temperature sensors 28 and 29 and the
intake air amount detector 8 are input to the input port 35 via
corresponding AD converters 37. Also, a load sensor 41 that
generates an output voltage proportional to a depression amount L
of an accelerator pedal 40 is connected to the accelerator pedal
40, and the output voltage of this load sensor 41 is input to the
input port 35 via a corresponding AD converter 37. Further, a crank
angle sensor 42 that generates an output pulse every time a
crankshaft rotates 15.degree., for example, is connected to the
input port 35. Meanwhile, the output port 36 is connected to the
fuel injection valves 3, the step motor for driving the throttle
valve 10, the aqueous urea supply valve 17, the supply pump 19, the
EGR control valve 22, and the fuel pump 26 via corresponding drive
circuits 38. The ECU 30 controls, for example, the exhaust gas
temperature or the exhaust gas air-fuel ratio via the fuel
injection valves 3, the aqueous urea supply valve 17 and the
like.
[0039] First the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 will be described. This
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is a monolith catalyst having, for
example, a honeycomb structure with multiple exhaust gas holes
extending in straight lines in the axial direction of the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst 12. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of a surface
portion of a substrate 50 of the SOX trap catalyst 12. As shown in
the drawing, a coat layer 51 is formed on the surface of the
substrate 50, and a precious metal catalyst 52 is carried dispersed
on the surface of this coat layer 51.
[0040] In the first example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, platinum Pt
is used as the precious metal catalyst 52. The component forming
the coat layer 51 may be at least one selected from the group
consisting of an alkali metal, an alkali earth, and a rare earth.
The alkali metal is, for example, kalium K, natrium Na, or cesium
Cs. The alkali earth is, for example, barium Ba or calcium Ca. The
rare earth is, for example, lanthanum La or yttrium Y That is, the
coat layer 51 of the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is strongly
basic.
[0041] The SO.sub.x in the exhaust gas, i.e., SO.sub.2, oxidizes on
the platinum Pt, as shown in FIG. 2, and then becomes trapped in
the coat layer 51. That is, the SO.sub.2 diffuses in the coat layer
51 in the form of sulfate ions SO.sub.4.sup.2-, thus forming
hydrosulfate. Incidentally, as described above, the coat layer 51
is strongly basic so some of the SO.sub.2 in the exhaust gas
becomes trapped directly in the coat layer 51, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0042] The shading in the coat layer 51 in FIG. 2 indicates the
concentration of trapped SO.sub.x. As shown in FIG. 2, the SO.sub.x
concentration in the coat layer 51 is highest * in the area near
the surface of the coat layer 51 and becomes gradually lower deeper
down. When the SO.sub.x concentration near the surface of the coat
layer 51 becomes high, the surface of the coat layer 51 becomes
less basic and its ability to trap SO.sub.x diminishes. However,
even if its ability to trap SO.sub.x diminishes in this way, the
SO.sub.x trapping ability is restored when the temperature of the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 rises when combustion is performed with a
lean air-fuel ratio.
[0043] That is, when the temperature of the SO.sub.x trap catalyst
rises, the SO.sub.x that is concentrated near the surface of the
coat layer 51 diffuses inward in the coat layer 51 so that the
SO.sub.x concentration in the coat layer 51 evens out. That is, the
hydrosulfate produced in the coat layer 51 changes from an unstable
state in which it is concentrated near the surface of the coat
layer 51 to a stable state in which it is evenly dispersed
throughout the entire coat layer 51. When the SO.sub.x near the
surface of the coat layer 51 diffuses inward in the coat layer 51,
the SO.sub.x concentration near the surface of the coat layer 51
drops so the SO.sub.x trapping ability is restored
[0044] In this way, the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 continues to trap
SO.sub.x while repeating this process to restore the SO.sub.x
trapping ability. However, as the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 becomes
saturated with SO.sub.x (i.e., as the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12
nears the point where it is no longer able to trap any more
SO.sub.x), the ability of the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 to trap
SO.sub.x no longer able to be restored. At this time, the
temperature of the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is raised to
600.degree. C. or more and the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas
flowing into the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is made rich. As a
result, trapped SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12, thereby restoring the ability of the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 to trap SO.sub.x.
[0045] FIG. 3A is a graph showing the relationship between i) the
amount of SO.sub.x released per unit of time from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12, i.e., the SO.sub.x release rate W (g/sec), when the
air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is a reference rich air-fuel
ratio such as 135 and ii) the bed temperature TC of the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst 12. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the relationship
between the SO.sub.x release rate K from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst
12 and the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas. The amount (g/sec) of
SO.sub.x that is released per unit of time from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 is expressed by the product of the SO.sub.x release
rate W and the SO.sub.x release rate K.
[0046] Therefore, the amount (g/sec) of SO.sub.x that is released
per unit of time from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 rapidly
increases when the catalyst bed temperature TC reaches 600.degree.
C. or higher, as shown in FIG. 3A, and also increases when the
air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is reduced, i.e., when the degree of
richness of the exhaust gas air-fuel ratio increases, as shown in
FIG. 3B. Incidentally, the temperature of the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 is increased by, for example, retarding the fuel
injection timing or injecting supplemental fuel during the exhaust
stroke. Also, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas that flows into
the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is made rich by supplying additional
fuel during the exhaust stroke, for example.
[0047] Next, the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 will be
described. The NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 adsorbs
ammonia NH.sub.3. In FIG. 4A, reference character Qmax indicates
the maximum amount of ammonia able to be adsorbed on the NO.sub.x
selective reduction catalyst 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as
the "maximum adsorbable ammonia amount Qmax"). As is evident from
the drawing, the maximum adsorbable ammonia amount Qmax decreases
as the bed temperature TS of the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst 16 increases. The NO.sub.x in the exhaust gas is reduced
by the ammonia NH.sub.3 that is adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective
reduction catalyst 16 so it is necessary to make sure that a
sufficient amount of ammonia NH.sub.3 is always adsorbed on the
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16.
[0048] Therefore in the first example embodiment of the invention,
an adsorbed ammonia amount Qt that is only slightly less than the
maximum adsorbable ammonia amount Qmax is set beforehand as a
reference adsorbed ammonia amount, as shown in FIG. 4A. The amount
of aqueous urea that is supplied is controlled so that the adsorbed
ammonia amount Q comes to match this reference adsorbed ammonia
amount Qt. For example, when the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is less
than the reference adsorbed ammonia amount Qt, aqueous urea is
supplied intermittently, and when the adsorbed ammonia amount Q
exceeds the reference adsorbed ammonia amount Qt, the supply of
aqueous urea is stopped, as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0049] In the first example embodiment of the invention, the amount
Q adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 (i.e.,
the adsorbed ammonia amount Q) is calculated from the amount of
aqueous urea supplied from the aqueous urea supply valve 17 and the
amount of NO.sub.x discharged from the engine. That is, generally
speaking, the amount of ammonia newly adsorbed on the NO.sub.x
selective reduction catalyst 16 is proportional to the amount of
aqueous urea supplied, and the amount of adsorbed ammonia that is
consumed is proportional to the amount of NO.sub.x that is
discharges Therefore, the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is calculated
from the amount of aqueous urea supplied and the amount of NO.sub.x
discharged. Incidentally, the amount NOXA of NO.sub.x discharged
per unit of time from the engine (hereinafter also simply referred
to as the "discharged NO.sub.x amount NOXA") is stored in the ROM
32 in advance in the form of a map shown in FIG. 4C as a function
of the required torque TQ and the engine speed N.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a routine to control the supply of
aqueous urea, i.e., an aqueous urea supply control routine, which
is an interrupt processing routine executed at fixed intervals of
time. Referring to FIG. 5, first in step 60, the amount NOXA of
NO.sub.x discharged per unit of time from the engine is calculated
from the map shown in FIG. 4C. Next in step 61, of the ammonia
NH.sub.3 that is adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst 16, the amount .DELTA.Q of ammonia NH.sub.3 consumed per
unit of time by the NO.sub.x (hereinafter also simply referred to
as the "consumed ammonia amount .DELTA.Q") is calculated based on
the discharged NO.sub.x amount NOXA. Then in step 62, the consumed
ammonia amount .DELTA.Q is subtracted from the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q.
[0051] Next in step 63, it is determined whether a command to stop
the supply of aqueous urea is being output. Normally this command
is not being output so the process proceeds on to step 64 where it
is determined whether the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is less than
the reference adsorbed ammonia amount Qt. If the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q is less than the reference adsorbed ammonia amount Qt,
i.e., Q<Qt, the process proceeds on to step 65 where aqueous
urea continues to be intermittently supplied. Then in step 66, an
ammonia amount Qd that is newly adsorbed is added to the adsorbed
ammonia amount Q. If, on the other hand, it is determined in step
64 that the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is equal to or greater than
the reference adsorbed ammonia amount Qt, i.e., Q.gtoreq.Qt, the
process proceeds on to step 67 where the supply of aqueous urea is
stopped.
[0052] In this way, if a command to stop the supply of aqueous urea
is not being output, the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is maintained at
the reference adsorbed ammonia amount Qt. If, on the other hand, a
command to stop the supply of aqueous urea is being output, the
process proceeds on to step 67 where the supply of aqueous urea is
stopped.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a routine to release SO.sub.x from
the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12. This routine is also an interrupt
processing routine executed at fixed intervals of time. Referring
to FIG. 6, first in step 70, the amount .DELTA.SOX of SO.sub.x
trapped per unit of time in the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 16
(hereinafter also simply referred to as the "trapped SO.sub.x
amount .DELTA.SOX") is calculated. The fuel contains a fixed
percentage of sulfur so in step 70 the trapped SO.sub.x amount
.DELTA.SOX per unit of time is calculated by multiplying the fuel
injection quantity Qf per unit of time by a constant C. Then in
step 71, an integrated value .SIGMA.SOX of the trapped SO.sub.x
amount is calculated by adding .SIGMA.SOX to .DELTA.SOX.
[0054] Next in step 72, it is determined whether the integrated
value .SIGMA.SOX of the trapped SO.sub.x amount is more than an
allowable value MAX at which the SO.sub.x trapping ability starts
to decrease. If .SIGMA.SOX is equal to or less than MAX, i.e.,
.SIGMA.SOX.gtoreq.MAX, then the process jumps ahead to step 74. If,
on the other hand, .SIGMA.SOX is greater than MAX, i.e.,
.SIGMA.SOX>MAX, then the process proceeds on to step 73 where a
SO.sub.x release flag indicating that SO.sub.x should be released
from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is set, after which the process
proceeds on to step 74.
[0055] In step 74, it is determined whether a command to allow
SO.sub.x to be released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is being
output. If this command is not being output, this cycle of the
routine ends. If, on the other hand, this command is being output,
the process proceeds on to step 75 where a SO.sub.x release process
is executed to release trapped SO.sub.x from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 by raising the temperature of the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 to 600.degree. C. or more and making the air-fuel ratio
of the exhaust gas that flows into the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12
rich. Then in step 76, the SO.sub.x release flag is reset and in
step 77, .SIGMA.SOX is cleared.
[0056] When SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst
12, this SO.sub.x reacts with the ammonia NH.sub.3 adsorbed on the
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16, producing hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S as a result. Generally speaking, the concentration
of the hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S produced at this time is
proportional to the adsorbed ammonia amount Q, and proportional to
the concentration of SO.sub.x in the exhaust gas flowing into the
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16, i.e., the concentration
DS of the SO.sub.x released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12.
FIG. 17 shows a graph with equal concentration curves a, b, c, d,
and e of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S in the exhaust gas that flows
out from the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 and is
discharged into the atmosphere. The concentration DN of the
hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S gradually increases from curve a toward
curve e in FIG. 7.
[0057] When the concentration DN of the hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S
discharged into the atmosphere becomes high, a very irritating odor
is produced. Therefore it is necessary to keep the discharged
concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S at an allowable
concentration or lower where the irritating odor is almost
unnoticeable. The allowable concentration where the irritating odor
is almost unnoticeable is indicated by the broken line DNO in the
drawing. Thus in this example embodiment of the invention, the
discharge concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is kept to
the allowable concentration DNO or lower.
[0058] In this case, the discharge concentration DN of the hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S will decrease even if the adsorbed ammonia amount
Q adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is
simply reduced or the SO.sub.x release concentration DS from the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, i.e., the amount of SO.sub.x released
from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, is simply reduced. Accordingly,
in this example embodiment of the invention, when releasing
SO.sub.x from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16
is either reduced before SO.sub.x is released or, when SO.sub.x is
released, the amount of SO.sub.x that is released from the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst 12 is reduced so that the discharge concentration DN
of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S becomes less than the preset allowable
concentration DNO when SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12.
[0059] Next, various example embodiments will be described with
reference to FIGS. 8 to 15. In a second example embodiment of the
invention, an electronic control unit (ECU) 30 that functions as an
estimating apparatus is provided which estimates whether the
discharge concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S will become
equal to or greater than the allowable concentration DNO when
SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12. If it is
estimated that the discharge concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide
H.sub.2S will become equal to or greater than the allowable
concentration DNO when SO.sub.x is released, the ECU 30 reduces the
adsorbed ammonia amount Q adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective
reduction catalyst 16 before SO.sub.x is released so that the
discharge concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S will be
less than the allowable concentration DNO when SO.sub.x is
released.
[0060] Incidentally, in this case, when aqueous urea stops being
supplied, the ammonia NH.sub.3 that is adsorbed is gradually
consumed by the NO.sub.x in the exhaust gas so the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q gradually decreases. Therefore, in this second example
embodiment, the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is reduced by stopping
the supply of aqueous urea. Incidentally, in this case, the
adsorbed ammonia amount Q can still be reduced even if the amount
of aqueous urea supplied is simply reduced. Therefore, the amount
of aqueous urea supplied can also just be reduced instead of being
stopped entirely.
[0061] When the discharge concentration DN of the hydrogen sulfide
H.sub.2S is less than the allowable concentration DNO, the
irritating odor becomes almost unnoticeable. Therefore in the
second example embodiment, SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst when the discharge concentration DN of the hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S is less than the allowable concentration DNO.
[0062] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a SO.sub.x release control routine
that is executed in addition to the routines in FIGS. 5 and 6 to
carry out this second example embodiment. This routine is also an
interrupt processing routine executed at fixed intervals of time.
Referring to FIG. 8, first it is determined in step 80 whether the
SO.sub.x release flag is set. If the SO.sub.x release flag is not
set, this cycle of the routine ends. If, on the other hand, the
SO.sub.x release flag is set, then the process proceeds on to step
81 where the adsorbed ammonia amount Q calculated in the routine
shown in FIG. 5 is read.
[0063] Next in step 82, the concentration DS of released SO.sub.x
(hereinafter also simply referred to as the "released SO.sub.x
concentration DS") when SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 is estimated. That is, the amount of SO.sub.x released
(g/sec) per unit of time when SO.sub.x is released from the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is expressed by the product W.times.K of
the SO.sub.x release rate W (g/sec) shown in FIG. 3A multiplied by
the SO.sub.x release rate K shown in FIG. 3B. Therefore, the
concentration DS of SO.sub.x released from the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 can be estimated by dividing the amount of released
SO.sub.x (i.e., W.times.K) by the volumetric flow rate G (l/sec) of
exhaust gas per unit of time (i.e., DS=(W.times.K)/G).
Incidentally, the volumetric flow rate G of the exhaust gas is
stored in the ROM 32 in advance as a function of the required
torque TQ and the engine speed N.
[0064] Next in step 83, the discharge concentration DN of hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S is estimated from the relationship shown in FIG. 7
based on the adsorbed ammonia amount Q read in step 81 and the
released SO.sub.x concentration DS estimated in step 82. Then in
step 84, it is estimated whether the discharge concentration DN of
hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is less than the allowable concentration
DNO shown in FIG. 7. If the discharge concentration DN of hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S is equal to or greater than the allowable
concentration DNO, i.e., DN.gtoreq.DNO, then the process proceeds
on to step 87.
[0065] In step 87 a command to allow the release of SO.sub.x is
cancelled. That is, the command to allow the release of SO.sub.x is
not output. Accordingly, as is shown in the routine for releasing
SO.sub.x shown in FIG. 6, the SO.sub.x is not released at this
time. Instead, the SO.sub.x release process is placed on standby.
Next in step 88, a command to stop the supply of aqueous urea is
output such that the supply of aqueous urea is stopped at this
time, as is shown in the routine to control the supply of aqueous
urea shown in FIG. 5. When the SO.sub.x release process is placed
on standby and the supply of aqueous urea is stopped in this way,
the adsorbed ammonia amount Q gradually decreases. As a result, the
estimated value of the discharge concentration DN of hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S also gradually decreases.
[0066] If, on the other hand, it is determined in step 84 that the
discharge concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is less
than the allowable concentration DNO, i.e., DN<DNO, then the
process proceeds on to step 85 where the command to allow the
release of SO.sub.x is output. As a result, the process to release
SO.sub.x is executed, as is shown in the routine in FIG. 6. At this
time, the discharge concentration of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S
drops below the allowable concentration DNO. Then in step 86, the
command to stop supply aqueous urea is cancelled, and the supply of
aqueous urea is now restarted. The supply of aqueous urea is
preferably restarted after the amount of released SO.sub.x has
dropped somewhat after the command to allow the release of SO.sub.x
is output.
[0067] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third example embodiment of the
invention. Step 89 is the only step of the SO.sub.x release control
routine shown in FIG. 9 for carrying out this third example
embodiment that differs from the routine shown in FIG. 8. All of
the other steps, i.e., steps 80 to 88, are the same as they are in
the routine shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, only step 89 in the
SO.sub.x release control routine shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
Descriptions of the other steps, i.e., steps 80 to 88, will be
omitted.
[0068] In this third example embodiment, the amount of NO.sub.x
discharged from the engine is increased in order to rapidly reduce
the adsorbed ammonia amount Q when the process to release SO.sub.x
from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is on standby. That is, in this
third example embodiment, control to increase the amount of
NO.sub.x that is discharged is performed in step 89 in FIG. 9.
[0069] The control to increase the amount of NO.sub.x that is
discharged is performed by, for example, advancing the fuel
injection timing of fuel from the fuel injection valves 3 or
reducing the EGR efficiency. Also in this third example embodiment,
when the amount of discharged NO.sub.x is increased, the NO.sub.x
amount NOXA that is discharged per unit of time from the engine is
stored in the ROM 32 in advance in the form of a map shown in FIG.
10B as a function of the required torque TQ and the engine speed N.
When the control to increase the amount of NO.sub.x that is
discharged is being performed, the NO.sub.x amount NOXA is
calculated from the map shown in FIG. 10B in step 60 shown in FIG.
5.
[0070] When the SO.sub.x release process has been on standby for an
extended period of time after the SO.sub.x release flag has been
set, the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 may become saturated with
SO.sub.x, such that SO.sub.x may flow out of the SO.sub.x trap
catalyst 12 when the air-fuel ratio is lean. In this case, if the
amount of NO.sub.x discharged is increased as in the third example
embodiment, the adsorbed ammonia amount will rapidly decrease so
the amount of time that the SO.sub.x release process is on standby
can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent SO.sub.x
from flowing out of the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 when the air-fuel
ratio is lean.
[0071] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fourth example embodiment of the
invention Steps 99 to 101 are the only steps of the SO.sub.x
release control routine shown in FIG. 11 for carrying out this
fourth example embodiment that differ from the routine shown in
FIG. 8. All of the other steps, i.e., steps 80 to 88, are the same
as they are in the routine shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, only steps
99 to 101 in the SO.sub.x release control routine shown in FIG. 11
will be described. Descriptions of the other steps, i.e., steps 80
to 88, will be omitted.
[0072] In this fourth example embodiment, the temperature of the
NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is increased in order to
rapidly reduce the adsorbed ammonia amount Q when the process to
release SO.sub.x from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is on standby.
That is, in this fourth example embodiment, control to raise the
temperature of the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is
performed in step 99 of FIG. 11. This control to raise the
temperature of the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is
performed by, for example, retarding the fuel injection timing
which raises the temperature of the exhaust gas with a lean
air-fuel ratio.
[0073] FIGS. 12A and 12B both show desorption rates K1 and K2 of
adsorbed ammonia NH.sub.3 from the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst 16. As shown in FIG. 12A, the desorption rate K1 of the
adsorbed ammonia NH.sub.3 raises rapidly when the bed temperature
TS of the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 becomes high.
Therefore, the adsorbed ammonia amount Q can be rapidly reduced by
raising the temperature of the NO.sub.x selective reduction
catalyst 16. Also, as shown in FIG. 12B, the desorption rate K2
increases as the volumetric flow rate G of the exhaust gas
increases.
[0074] The desorption amount of the adsorbed ammonia can be
obtained by multiplying the desorption rates K1 and K2 by the
adsorbed ammonia amount Q. Therefore, in the fourth example
embodiment, the desorption rates K1 and K2 are calculated from
FIGS. 12A and 12B in step 100 when the control to raise the
temperature of the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is
performed in step 99 as shown in FIG. 11. Then the desorption
amount (K1.times.K2.times.Q) is subtracted from the adsorbed
ammonia amount Q in step 101. Accordingly, the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q gradually decreases.
[0075] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fifth example embodiment of the
invention. In this fifth example embodiment, the discharge
concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is less than the
allowable concentration DNO in order to release SO.sub.x from the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 using a simple method. The allowable
adsorption amount QX with respect to only the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q is set irrespective of the released SO.sub.x concentration
DS, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0076] That is, in the fifth example embodiment, when SO.sub.x is
to be released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, the supply of
aqueous urea is stopped before SO.sub.x is released when it is
determined by the ECU 30 that the adsorbed ammonia amount Q that is
adsorbed on the NO.sub.x selective reduction catalyst 16 is equal
to or greater than the allowable adsorption amount QX which is set
beforehand. In this case as well, the amount of aqueous urea
supplied may also be reduced instead of completely stopping the
supply of aqueous urea.
[0077] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a SO.sub.x release
control routine that is executed in addition to the routines shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6 in order to carry out the fifth example
embodiment. This routine is also an interrupt processing routine
executed at fixed intervals of time. Referring to FIG. 14, first in
step 200, it is determined whether the SO.sub.x release flag is
set. If the SO.sub.x release flag is not set, this cycle of the
routine ends. If, however, the SO.sub.x release flag is set, the
process proceeds on to step 201 where the adsorbed ammonia amount Q
calculated in the routine shown in FIG. 5 is read.
[0078] Next in step 202, it is determined whether the adsorbed
ammonia amount Q is less than the allowable adsorption amount QX.
If the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is equal to or greater than the
allowable adsorption amount QX, i.e., Q.gtoreq.QX, then the process
proceeds on to step 205 where a command to allow the release of
SO.sub.x is canceled. That is, a command to allow SO.sub.x to be
released is not output. Accordingly, the process to release
SO.sub.x is not executed at this time, as is shown in the routine
for releasing SO.sub.x in FIG. 6. Then in step 206, the command to
stop the supply of aqueous urea is output so that the supply of
aqueous urea is stopped at this time, as is shown in the routine to
control the supply of aqueous urea shown in FIG. 5.
[0079] If, on the other hand, it is determined in step 202 that the
adsorbed ammonia amount Q is less than the allowable adsorption
amount QX, i.e., Q<QX, then the process proceeds on to step 203
where a command to allow the release of SO.sub.x is output. As a
result, the process to release SO.sub.x is executed, as is shown in
the routine in FIG. 6. Next in step 204, a command to atop supply
of aqueous urea is cancelled so aqueous urea starts to be supplied
again.
[0080] On the other hand, when the released SO.sub.x concentration
DS when SO.sub.x is released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is
low, the discharge concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is
less than the allowable concentration DNO or lower irrespective of
the adsorbed ammonia amount Q, as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, in a
sixth example embodiment of the invention, when SO.sub.x is
released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12, the amount of SO.sub.x
that is released from the SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is reduced so
that the discharge concentration DN of the hydrogen sulfide
H.sub.2S becomes less than the allowable concentration DNO.
[0081] That is, in the sixth example embodiment, as shown in FIG.
15, the allowable adsorption amount QX of the adsorbed ammonia
amount Q at which the discharge concentration DN of hydrogen
sulfide H.sub.2S is less than the allowable concentration DNO is
set beforehand irrespective of the released SO.sub.x concentration
DS when SO.sub.x is released, and the allowable concentration DX of
the released NO.sub.x concentration SO.sub.x at which the discharge
concentration DN of hydrogen sulfide H.sub.2S is less than
allowable concentration DNO is set beforehand irrespective of the
adsorbed ammonia amount Q when SO.sub.x is released. Then SO.sub.x
release control is performed using the allowable absorption amount
QX and the allowable concentration DX.
[0082] That is, in the region where Q is less than QX, i.e.,
Q<QX, in FIG. 15, DN is less than DNO, i.e., DN<DNO,
regardless of the released SO.sub.x concentration DS. Therefore, in
this sixth example embodiment, when Q is less than QX, the air-fuel
ratio is made a target air-fuel ratio with a high degree of
richness in order to release a large amount of SO.sub.x from the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12. On the other hand, in the region where Q
is equal to or greater than QX, i.e., Q.gtoreq.QX, the degree of
richness of the air-fuel ratio is reduced so that the released
SO.sub.x concentration DS becomes equal to the allowable
concentration DX. The air-fuel ratio at this time is calculated as
follows.
[0083] That is, as described above, the amount of SO.sub.x released
(g/sec) per unit of time when SO.sub.x is released from the
SO.sub.x trap catalyst 12 is expressed by the product K.times.W of
the SO.sub.x release rate W (g/sec) shown in FIG. 3A multiplied by
the SO.sub.x release rate K shown in FIG. 3B. Accordingly, the
released SO.sub.x concentration DS (=W.times.K/G) from the SO.sub.x
trap catalyst 12 can be calculated by dividing that SO.sub.x
release amount W.times.K by the volumetric flow rate G (l/sec) of
the exhaust gas per unit of time. Therefore, to bring the released
SO.sub.x concentration DS down to the allowable concentration DX,
all that need be done is to make the SO.sub.x release rate K equal
(DX.times.G/W), and the air-fuel ratio can be calculated using the
relationship shown in FIG. 3B from this SO.sub.x release rate K
[0084] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a SO.sub.x release
control routine that is executed in addition to the routines shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6 for carrying out the sixth example embodiment.
This routine is also an interrupt processing routine executed at
fixed intervals of time. Referring to FIG. 16, first in step 210 it
is determined whether the SO.sub.x release flag is set. If the
SO.sub.x release flag is not set, this cycle of the routine ends.
If, on the other hand, the SO.sub.x release flag is set, the
process proceeds on to step 211 where the adsorbed ammonia amount Q
calculated in the routine in FIG. 5 is read.
[0085] Next in step 212, it is determined whether the adsorbed
ammonia amount Q is lower than the allowable adsorption amount QX.
If the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is lower than the allowable
adsorption amount QX, i.e., Q<QX, the process proceeds on to
step 213 where the air-fuel ratio when the SO.sub.x is released is
made the target air-fuel ratio with a high degree of richness,
after which the process proceeds on to step 216. If, on the other
hand, the adsorbed ammonia amount Q is equal to or greater than the
allowable adsorption amount QX, i.e., Q.gtoreq.QX, the process
proceeds on to step 214 where the SO.sub.x release rate K
(=KD.times.G/W) is calculated. Then in step 215 the air-fuel ratio
when the SO.sub.x is released is calculated based on the
relationship shown in FIG. 3B from this SO.sub.x release rate K,
after which the process proceeds on to step 216.
[0086] In step 216, a command allowing the release of SO.sub.x is
output. As a result, the process to release SO.sub.x is executed,
as is shown in the routine in FIG. 6. Incidentally, in this sixth
example embodiment, the command to stop the supply of aqueous urea
is not output.
* * * * *