Emission control system

• US 7,497,076 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Extengine Systems, Inc. (Emission & Power Solutions Plc)
• Original Assignee: Extengine Transport Systems
• Inventors: Funk, Werner, Roberts, Phillip
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Binh Q
• Application Number:
  US11/228,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20060037309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 602/74, 602/76, 602/86, 602/95, 603/01, 603/03, 602/89, 602/97
• US Class Current: 60/286
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/9431 Processes characterised by a specific device
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/00 Monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus , e.g. for catalytic activity safety, indicating or supervising devices for internal combustion engines F02B77/08; testing of machines G01M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/009 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/0093 the purifying devices are of the same type
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/0097 the purifying devices are arranged in a single housing
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/06 By-pass systems
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/02 the substance being ammonia or urea
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/08 with prior mixing of the substances with a gas, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1453 Sprayers or atomisers; Arrangement thereof in the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2900/1811 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0842 Nitrogen oxides
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/105 General auxiliary catalysts, e.g. upstream or downstream of the main catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/106 Auxiliary oxidation catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2066 Selective catalytic reduction [SCR]
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/00 Electrical control of exhaust gas treating apparatus monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus F01N11/00; conjoint electrical control of two or more combustion engine functions F02D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An emission control system is provided for an engine for reducing NOx emissions, the system comprising an ammonia injector, a controller for controlling the ammonia injector and a catalyst, wherein the controller includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the amount of ammonia used and the amount of NOx reduced.

Claims

1. An emission control system for an engine for reducing NOx emissions, comprising:

an ammonia injector;

a controller for controlling the ammonia injector that calculates an amount of NOx reduced based on an amount of ammonia injected by the ammonia injector; and

a catalyst;

wherein the controller includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the amount of ammonia used and the amount of NOx reduced.

2. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter configured to transmit the information to remote locations.

3. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter configured to transmit the information to government agencies.

4. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the information transmitted by the transmitter is used to ensure that the system is being properly employed.

5. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the information transmitted by the transmitter is employed to determine a proper distribution of pollution credits to encourage compliance.

6. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein information concerning the amount of NOx reduced is employed to monitor an amount of ammonia used, such that it is possible to determine a time when the ammonia will be exhausted.

7. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the controller notifies an appropriate party to fill the tank when the ammonia is nearly exhausted.

8. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the controller calculates and maintains a running account of an amount of ammonia used and an amount of ammonia remaining in the tank.

9. The emission control system of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from a group consisting of:

a pre-catalytic converter, a selective catalytic reduction converter, and an ammonia slip converter.

10. The emission control system of claim 1, further comprising an ammonia shut-off valve that is controlled by the controller.

11. An emission control system for and engine for reducing NOx emissions, comprising:

an ammonia tank;

an ammonia injector; and

a controller for controlling the ammonia injector;

wherein the controller includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the amount of ammonia used and the amount of NOx reduced and wherein the controller determines a pulse-width and frequency of an opening and closing of the ammonia injector, as well as a pressure of the ammonia, in order to calculate an amount of ammonia being used.

12. The emission control system of claim 11, wherein the controller determines a pressure in the ammonia tank to ensure that it contains ammonia.

13. The emission control system of claim 11, wherein a lack of pressure in the ammonia tank indicates that the tank is substantially empty.

14. The emission control system of claim 11, wherein the ammonia tank is refilled when there remains an amount of ammonia in the tank.

15. The emission control system of claim 11, wherein the engine is selected from the group consisting of:

a gasoline engine;

a diesel engine;

a natural gas engines;

a spark-ignition engine; and

a compression-ignition engine.

16. The emission control system of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter configured to transmit the information to government agencies at remote locations.

17. The emission control system of claim 11, wherein the controller calculates an amount of NOx reduced based on an amount of ammonia injected by the ammonia injector.

18. The emission control system of claim 17, wherein information concerning the amount of NOx reduced is employed to monitor an amount of ammonia used, such that it is possible to determine a time when the ammonia will be exhausted.