Method and device for comprehensive characterization and monitoring of exhaust gas and control of engines, and components for aftertreatment of exhaust gases

• US 20060256330A1
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Esytec Energie-Und Systemtechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Esytec Energie-Und Systemtechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Leipertz, Alfred
• Granted Patent: US 7,480,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/301
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/00 Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by cooling F01N3/02; using liquids F01N3/04
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/02 Catalytic activity of catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/04 Filtering activity of particulate filters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1468 the characteristics being an ammonia content or concentration of the exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/288 for performing a transformation into the frequency domain, e.g. Fourier transformation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/029 the exhaust gas treating apparatus being a particulate filter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1444 characterised by the characteristics of the combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1451 the sensor being an optical sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1456 with sensor output signal being linear or quasi-linear with the concentration of oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1466 the characteristics being a soot concentration or content
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2252 in a vehicle exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0211 Investigating a scatter or diffraction pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0272 with screening; with classification by filtering B01D takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/075 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2264 with dilution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2282 with cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0026 in gas, e.g. fog
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0042 Investigating dispersion of solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/39 : using tunable lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6402 : Atomic fluorescence; Laser induced fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/65 : Raman scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/718 : Laser microanalysis, i.e. with formation of sample plasma

Abstract

Device of modular construction which permits the simultaneous or not-simultaneous recording and characterization of solid and liquid particles and gaseous components of engine exhaust gases on various test supports, with only small or no modification of the test support. Methods are based on individual or combined usage of laser scattering techniques, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, laser-induced ionization spectroscopy, laser-induced atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, IR-/VIS-/UV-laser absorption spectroscopy and laser-induced incandescence. Use of individual or combined usage of such devices permits the analysis of raw exhaust gas, the conditioned and/or treated exhaust gases for monitoring and checking working pattern of engine, individual components of exhaust gas treatment and/or total system on test beds and on vehicle and can be used for control of motor and/or exhaust components, such as catalysts and particle filters, on test beds and in driven usage, e.g., in connection with, or as part of, on-board diagnostic system.

Claims

1. A device for practicing a process for determining properties of liquid particles of engine exhaust gas, wherein the process comprises detecting Raman scattering produced in a test area by excitation with one of a laser, a laser diode, and a diode laser, and determining at least one of a type and composition of individual constituents of the liquid particles of the engine exhaust gas and concentrations of individual constituents of the liquid particles of the engine exhaust gas, the device comprising at least one of:

a detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers;

a detector unit and a plurality of optical components; and

a device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and a device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises the detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises the detector unit and the plurality of optical components.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises the device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and the device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

5. A device for practicing a process for determining properties of solid particles of engine exhaust gas, wherein the process comprises detecting radiation produced in a test area by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) after irradiation with one of a laser, a laser diode, and a diode laser and determining a type and composition of the solid particles of the engine exhaust gas, the device comprising at least one of:

a detector unit and a plurality of optical components;

a detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers; and

a device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and a device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device comprises the detector unit and the plurality of optical components.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the device comprises the detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the device comprises the device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and the device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

9. A device for practicing a process for determining properties of liquid particles of engine exhaust gas, wherein the process comprises detecting radiation produced in a test area by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) after irradiation with one of a laser, a laser diode, and a diode laser and determining a type and composition of the liquid particles of the engine exhaust gas, the device comprising at least one of:

a detector unit and a plurality of optical components;

a detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers; and

a device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and a device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises the detector unit and the plurality of optical components.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises the detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises the device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and the device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

13. A device for practicing a process for determining concentrations of gaseous constituents of engine exhaust gas, wherein the process comprises detecting radiation produced in a test area by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) after irradiation with one of a laser, a laser diode, and a diode laser and determining a type and concentration of individual gaseous constituents of the engine exhaust gas, the device comprising at least one of:

a detector unit and a plurality of optical components;

a detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers; and

a device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and a device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the device comprises the detector unit and the plurality of optical components.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the device comprises the detector unit comprising one of optical fibers and parts of optical fibers.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the device comprises the device enclosing the engine exhaust gas and the device for one of avoiding contamination and reducing contamination.

17. A system for determining concentrations of gaseous constituents of engine exhaust gas, the system comprising:

a test area comprising an optical access;

a light source emitting an optical beam towards the optical access;

the light source comprising one of a laser, a laser diode, and a diode laser;

an optical device disposed between the optical access and the light source;

at least one detector unit receiving an optical beam passing through the optical device from the optical access; and

an electronic processing system communicating with the at least one detector unit.

18. A system for determining concentrations of gaseous constituents of engine exhaust gas, the system comprising:

a test area comprising a first optical access and a second optical access;

a light source emitting an optical beam towards the first optical access;

the light source comprising one of a laser, a laser diode, and a diode laser;

an optical device disposed between the first optical access and the light source;

at least one detector unit receiving an optical beam from the second optical access; and

an electronic processing system communicating with the at least one detector unit.