Abstract: In a diesel engine equipped with a catalytic HC reformer for injecting reformate into the engine exhaust stream to reductively regenerate one or more emissions control devices including but not limited to a lean nitrogen trap, a combustor is disposed in the exhaust stream downstream of the LNT, and preferably downstream of all regenerable emissions control devices, to burn any residual HC, H2, or CO in the tailpipe exhaust gases. Thus only breakthrough amounts of these species are combusted. Preferably, the combustor is operated on an appropriate schedule governed by the operating schedule of the reformer. To assure combustion when the oxygen concentration of the exhaust falls below the reformate combustion limit of approximately 6%, make-up air is ported to the combustor either by diverting a portion of the reformer system air or by diverting excess turbocharger boost air from the engine air intake system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of reducing NOx contaminant in an exhaust stream includes: introducing diesel fuel and an oxidant to a reformer to produce a reformer effluent comprising hydrogen and nitrogen, introducing the reformer effluent to a non-thermal plasma reactor to produce ammonia, and introducing an exhaust stream and the ammonia to a SCR catalyst, whereby the NOx contaminant reacts with the ammonia.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method, system and storage medium for fuel driveability index detection. The system includes an engine and an oxygen sensor disposed within the exhaust gas passage of the engine. An engine control module is operatively connected to the engine. The engine control module has a processor for obtaining a first input signal indicating a first oxygen sensor voltage, obtaining a second input signal indicating a second oxygen sensor voltage at a period subsequent to the first input signal, determining a first voltage trend based on the first input signal and the second input signal and determining whether the first voltage trend is decreasing at a rate greater than a first voltage threshold rate.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method, system and storage medium for fuel driveability index detection. The system includes an engine and an oxygen sensor disposed within the exhaust gas passage of the engine. An engine control module is operatively connected to the engine. The engine control module has a processor for obtaining a first input signal indicating a first oxygen sensor voltage, obtaining a second input signal indicating a second oxygen sensor voltage at a period subsequent to the first input signal, determining a first voltage trend based on the first input signal and the second input signal and determining whether the first voltage trend is decreasing at a rate greater than a first voltage threshold rate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the process for treating a gas stream, comprises: introducing a gas stream to a plasma reactor, maintaining a reactor temperature of the plasma reactor at greater than or equal to about 70° C., and reducing the concentration of a gas stream component in the plasma reactor to produce a treated gas stream.

Abstract: An integrated non-thermal plasma reactor-diesel particulate filter exhaust treatment apparatus 10 comprises a wall flow-type substrate 12 including a plurality of alternating high voltage 20 and ground electrode layers 22 and filter layers 24 disposed between said high voltage 20 and ground electrode layers 22. Channels 34 extending through the electrode layers 20, 22 are plugged to prevent exhaust flow. A portion of the exhaust channels 18 extending through the filter layers 23 are plugged 26 such that each channel 18 is plugged only at one end 14 or 16. During operation, a plasma is generated in the filter layers 24. An exhaust stream 28 is passed through the filter channels 18 and nitrogen oxides in the exhaust stream 28 are converted in the plasma primarily to NO2 while particulate matter in the exhaust stream 28 is captured in the porous channel walls 19. The filter 24 is continuously regenerated by NO2 formed in the plasma. NO byproduct from the filter regeneration is converted back into NO2 via plasma.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method, system and storage medium for fuel driveability index detection. The system includes an engine and an oxygen sensor disposed within the exhaust gas passage of the engine. An engine control module is operatively connected to the engine. The engine control module has a processor for obtaining a first input signal indicating a first oxygen sensor voltage, obtaining a second input signal indicating a second oxygen sensor voltage at a period subsequent to the first input signal, determining a first voltage trend based on the first input signal and the second input signal and determining whether the first voltage trend is decreasing at a rate greater than a first voltage threshold rate.

Abstract: A method for applying and controlling current applied to an air reference oxygen sensor included in a vehicle exhaust system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes measuring an output voltage across the oxygen sensor when the exhaust system is initially activated and applying a current through the oxygen sensor when the output voltage reaches a value determinative of light off of a catalyst within the exhaust system. The magnitude of the applied current corresponds to a predefined purge value.

Abstract: A method for controlling current applied to an air reference oxygen sensor included in a vehicle exhaust system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes measuring an output voltage across the oxygen sensor when the exhaust system is initially activated and applying a current through the oxygen sensor when the output voltage reaches a predetermined light off value. The magnitude of the applied current corresponds to a predefined purge value.