Treated By Washing, Or Having Liquid Contact Structure Patents (Class 60/310)
  • Publication number: 20100024406
    Abstract: A system for injecting from an injector into a duct of an engine system is provided. The system may include a first flange on a duct connection side, a second flange on an injector connection side, a stand-off separating the first flange from the second flange to form an air gap therebetween, and a seal offset from at least one of the first and the second flanges and located within the airgap and between the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dwayne Pollitt, Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Scott Donald Cooper, Michael Levin, John Paul Bogema, Bret Alan Zimmerman, Gary Scott Nichols
  • Publication number: 20100011748
    Abstract: The particulate filter regeneration apparatus includes a driving function for driving an exhaust pipe injector to inject fuel into an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine by energizing an actuator of the exhaust pipe injector in order to regenerate a particulate filter provided in the exhaust pipe for collecting particulate matter contained in exhaust gas of the engine, a shutoff function for shutting off fuel supply to the exhaust pipe injector, and a diagnosis function of performing a diagnostic process in which the fuel shutoff function is caused to shut off fuel supply to the exhaust pipe injector, and the driving function is caused to energize the actuator in a state of fuel supply to the exhaust pipe injector being shut off by the shutoff function in order to make a determination whether the actuator is energized normally by the driving function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Youji Yokota
  • Publication number: 20100005791
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards an apparatus and method for control of fluid flow through a conduit of an exhaust system for an engine, particularly prior to an exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment, a fluid flow control device for receiving and guiding exhaust gas from an engine towards an exhaust gas treatment device is provided. The fluid flow control device includes a nozzle disposed within an exhaust conduit of the engine. The nozzle includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening for forming a first flow path through the nozzle. The nozzle is spaced from the exhaust conduit for forming a second flow path between the nozzle and the exhaust conduit. The fluid flow control device also includes an injector disposed adjacent the nozzle. The injector may be oriented to direct a pressurized fluid to the first or second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Sherif H. El Tahry, Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 7645432
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system and method for removing particulates and/or gases from exhaust gases and for cooling exhaust gases. The exhaust treatment system may include a venturi nozzle for injecting a mixture of water and air into the exhaust gases to cause particulate matter and/or certain gases present in the exhaust gases to adhere to water droplets in the mixture. The exhaust treatment system may further include a receptacle positioned in proximity to the exhaust outlet and adapted for collecting water and particulate matter exiting the exhaust outlet, a filter adapted to receive water from the receptacle and remove particulate matter from the water, and/or a heat transfer device adapted to receive water from the filter and remove heat from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hood & Motor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jason David Solomon
  • Publication number: 20090313979
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device has a particulate filter 5 and a selective reduction catalyst 6 arranged side by side. An S-shaped communication passage 9 is arranged for introduction of exhaust gas 3 from a rear end of the filter 5 to a front end of the adjacent catalyst 6 in a forward fold-back manner and with a urea water addition injector 11 arranged midway of the passage 9. In order to satisfactorily disperse the urea water with enhanced mixing with the exhaust gas 3 even if the flow rate is increased, slits 12 are formed in circumferentially spaced positions on a rear end of a mixing pipe 9B constituting an upstream portion of the communication passage 9 so as to introduce the exhaust gas 3. A downstream end 9a of a gas gathering chamber 9A is connected to the rear end of the mixing pipe 9B such that the slits 12 are encased and the rear end of the mixing pipe 9B is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Minoru Kowada
  • Publication number: 20090277161
    Abstract: A device for supplying reducing agent solution into an exhaust system, includes a reservoir for reducing agent solution and a delivery device for delivering reducing agent solution from the reservoir to a reducing agent infeed configuration. A delivery height to be overcome between the reservoir and the reducing agent infeed configuration is less than 1.5 meters and the delivery device includes a diaphragm pump. The device permits the dosed metering of reducing agent solution into an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine regardless of prevailing boundary conditions, in particular regardless of the position of the device, which is for example influenced by a position of a corresponding automobile. In particular, it is thus also possible to ensure reliable metering of reducing agent solution into the exhaust system even when the automobile or motor vehicle is traveling over grades. A corresponding exhaust system, method and utility vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUR EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
    Inventors: Jan Hodgson, Rolf Bruck
  • Publication number: 20090272100
    Abstract: An engine with an exhaust passage in which a catalyst purifying NOx and an NOx adsorbent adsorbing NOx in an exhaust gas are arranged successively from the upstream side. After engine startup until the catalyst is activated, the NOx in the exhaust gas is adsorbed at the NOx adsorbent. NOx adsorbed at the NOx adsorbent is removed by dissolution by supplying a solvent from an injector. After the catalyst is activated, the solvent containing the NOx removed by dissolution is sprayed from an injector and the NOx contained in the sprayed solvent is purified by the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Yuichi Sobue, Hiroyuki Matsubara, Yusaku Inatomi, Nagao Toyoshima
  • Publication number: 20090266056
    Abstract: Fuel added to exhaust gas is uniformly afforded to catalytic surfaces of a NOx-adsorption reduction catalyst so that overall regeneration of the NOx-adsorption reduction catalyst proceeds efficiently. The invention is directed to an exhaust emission control device with the NOx-adsorption reduction catalyst incorporated in an exhaust pipe (exhaust flow passage) for guidance of the exhaust gas 9 from an engine 1 and with an fuel addition device (fuel addition means) 13 arranged for addition of fuel as a reducing agent to the exhaust pipe (exhaust flow passage) 11 upstream of the reduction catalyst 12 (exhaust flow passage) 11, a dispersion plate 15 being arranged between a position of adding the fuel by the fuel addition device 13 and the NOx-adsorption reduction catalyst 12 for dispersing the exhaust gas 9 to stimulate dispersion of the added fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Hosoya, Masatoshi Shimoda, Mori Ishii
  • Publication number: 20090260351
    Abstract: An exhaust assembly includes a water trap blocking upstream water flow at a plurality of angular positions enabling universal application and flexibility of orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Chris M. Cremeens, David M. Grimm, Ashish S. Waknis, Michael J. Lamps
  • Publication number: 20090255234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the regeneration, temperature loading and/or thermal management of a component, assigned to an exhaust system, of an internal combustion engine. The device includes at least one injection valve which injects a fluid, in particular fuel, into the exhaust system, preferably in chatter mode, for example as a function of the pressure of the supplied fluid. The injection valve has a valve head and a valve seat which have geometries designed in such a way that a fluidic force of the supplied fluid acting on the injection valve drops continuously over a stroke of the valve head. The invention also relates to an injection valve having such valve-head and valve-seat geometries and to a corresponding method for the regeneration, temperature loading and/or thermal management of a component, assigned to an exhaust system, of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Rainer Haeberer, Joerg Lange, Volker Reusing, Tobias Reiser, Stefan Stein
  • Publication number: 20090259389
    Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed which controls both a fuel injection system and an exhaust gas cleaning system for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injection system includes at least one fuel injector for injecting fuel from a fuel source into a cylinder of the engine. The exhaust gas cleaning system includes a fuel adding device for adding fuel from the fuel source to the exhaust gas from the engine. The control apparatus includes determining means and stopping means. The determining means determines whether operation of the fuel adding device for adding the fuel to the exhaust gas interferes with control by the control apparatus of the fuel injection system. The stopping means stops the operation of the fuel adding device when it is determined by the determining means that the operation of the fuel adding device interferes with the control by the control apparatus of the fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Noda
  • Publication number: 20090249773
    Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gases from an engine is described. The system includes, the exhaust gases routed from the engine to atmosphere through an exhaust passage, the system comprising: an injector directing a spray of reductant into the exhaust gases routed from the engine to atmosphere; an exhaust separation passage that separates an exhaust gas flow received from the engine into a plurality of separate exhaust gas flows; a plurality of oxidation catalysts, each of which receives one of the plurality of separate exhaust gas flows; a flow combining passage that receives the plurality of separate exhaust gas flows and combines them into a re-combined exhaust gas flow; a turbocharger that receives the re-combined exhaust gas flow from the flow combining passage; and a selective catalytic reduction catalyst positioned downstream of the turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Yinyan Huang, Harold Huimin Sun, Christopher Oberski
  • Publication number: 20090249771
    Abstract: A technique that suppresses adhesion of fuel added from fuel addition valves to exhaust passages and suppresses fuel from slipping through exhaust gas purification devices is provided. Timing of the addition of fuel is switched into a period in which instantaneous exhaust gas flow rates in the exhaust passages are different, in accordance with engine operating condition. As a result, when operating condition has a high possibility of fuel adhering to the exhaust pipes, fuel is added when the instantaneous exhaust gas flow rates in the exhaust pipes are high, so that fuel can be easily carried to the vicinity of the exhaust gas purification devices. When the operating condition has a high possibility of fuel slipping through the exhaust gas purification devices, fuel is added when the instantaneous exhaust gas flow rates in the exhaust pipes are low, so that the fuel can not be easily entrained in the exhaust gas to slow movement of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuji Kanto
  • Publication number: 20090249766
    Abstract: A method for storing an additive and injecting the additive into exhaust gases of an engine supplied with fuel from a fuel tank and returning unused excess hot fuel to the tank via a return line. The method heats the additive using a section of the return line when the additive temperature is below or equal to a threshold value, and short circuits the heating section when the additive temperature exceeds the threshold value. A system for implementing such a method includes an additive heating section including a section of the return line; a temperature sensor; and a device allowing the heating section to be short circuited when the temperature measured by the sensor exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: INERGY AUTO. SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventor: Stephane Leonard
  • Patent number: 7599732
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for biomedical imaging includes directing time-varying excitation light at a surface area of a light scattering material, the material comprising a fluorescent target. Time-varying emission light from the fluorescent target is detected, substantially at a two-dimensional sensor surface, in response to the time-varying excitation light stimulating the fluorescent target. The time-varying emission light is filtered to reject excitation light re-emitted from the material. A three-dimensional image of the fluorescent target is generated based on the detection substantially at the sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Eva M. Sevick-Muraca, Alan B. Thompson, Roy Ranadhir
  • Publication number: 20090229257
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine, there is provided a technique that can perform the addition of a reducing agent to an exhaust gas in a more appropriate manner; in an exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a fuel addition valve that adds fuel to an exhaust gas upstream of a filter arranged in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, an internal pressure in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine upon opening of an exhaust valve for the cylinder is detected, and a flow speed or temperature of the exhaust gas passing a fuel addition position of the fuel addition valve in the exhaust passage is estimated based on the detected cylinder internal pressure; an amount of addition of fuel is adjusted based on the estimated flow speed or temperature of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20090229256
    Abstract: PM elimination or sulfur release are performed on both exhaust systems (exhaust passages 13L, 13R) using a common procedure regardless of the state of a catalyst arranged in each one of the exhaust systems. This reduces the number of recovery cycles of the catalysts and suppresses increase of fuel consumption caused by the PM elimination and the sulfur release compared to a case in which the PM elimination/sulfur release is carried out each time a request for catalyst control is generated by one of the exhaust systems. In the PM elimination control, the PM elimination is performed using a catalyst exhibiting a lowest catalyst bed temperature of the catalysts as a reference. In this manner, PM is prevented from remaining unburned. Further, in the sulfur release control, the sulfur release is performed using an average of catalyst bed temperatures of the catalysts as a reference. This maximally suppresses thermal deterioration of the catalysts and ensures sufficient release of sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Hisanobu Suzuki, Kenji Kawai
  • Publication number: 20090223211
    Abstract: A method for providing a reducing agent-containing gas flow in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes providing at least one reducing agent precursor, evaporating the precursor to provide a gas flow, at least partially heating the gas flow to temperatures of at least 250° C., at least partially converting the precursor in the gas flow to a reducing agent and adding the reducing agent-containing gas flow to the exhaust of the engine. The method and a device provide a reducing agent-containing gas flow in a quantity being easily controllable and adaptable to dynamic changes especially in exhaust systems of mobile applications such as automobiles. A temperature of a first zone is kept at 150° C. or just below while a temperature of a second zone is kept at more than 300° C. A hydrolysis catalytic converter is hardly cooled upon receiving the precursor as a vapor, positively affecting the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUR EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
    Inventors: Rolf Bruck, Peter Hirth, Thomas Harig, Marc Brugger
  • Publication number: 20090178392
    Abstract: The problem is to regenerate the purification ability of an exhaust gas purification device more reliably or efficiently in an exhaust gas purification system that combines a plurality of branch passages branch off from an exhaust gas passage and exhaust gas purification devices. When the purification ability of an exhaust gas purification device is regenerated, in the branch passage where the exhaust gas purification device is provided whose purification ability is to be regenerated, the opening angle of an exhaust gas flow volume control valve is set to the minimum opening angle that can reliably transport a reducing agent that is added from a reducing agent addition section. While the opening angle is maintained, the reducing agent is added. After the addition of the reducing agent is complete, the opening angle of an exhaust gas flow volume control valve is closed completely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kuniaki Niimi, Kenichi Tsujimoto, Tomihisa Oda, Shinya Hirota, Takanori Ueda
  • Publication number: 20090165444
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas purification system provided with an exhaust gas purification device in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, and at the same time, provided with a reductant supply means for supplying a reductant to the upstream side of this exhaust gas purification device, two or more of the oxygen concentration, the CO concentration, and the HC concentration of the exhaust gas detected by an exhaust gas component concentration detecting means are used as control parameters during the reductant supply control when the reductant is supplied into the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust gas purification device. With this, the supply period and supply amount of the reductant can be optimized, and a decrease of fuel efficiency deterioration and suppression of deterioration of the quality of the components of the exhaust gas flowing into the atmosphere are attempted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Kazuo Oosumi
  • Patent number: 7530349
    Abstract: A hydrated EGR system, method and apparatus for a vehicle, in which heat from an exhaust pipe is used to heat an aqueous fluid solution in a water tank. A portion of the hot exhaust gas is diverted from the main exhaust flow, and the diverted portion is bubbled through the heated aqueous fluid solution to form a hydrated EGR mixture containing water vapor. The hydrated EGR mixture is then fed back to an intake portion of the engine, is mixed with an incoming fuel/air mixture, and is burned with the fuel air mixture inside the engine. The use of the hydrated EGR mixture, including heated water vapor, as part of the intake charge simultaneously reduces harmful exhaust emissions, improves engine performance, and improves fuel economy of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Julius J. Rim
  • Publication number: 20090113881
    Abstract: A wet type scrubber for exhaust gas includes a wet scrubbing chamber which is disposed such that the exhaust gas introduced through an inlet flows horizontally toward an outlet and includes an overflow opening formed at a position in a side surface thereof spaced apart by a certain distance upwardly from the bottom thereof an eliminator which is disposed within the wet scrubbing chamber and installed such that the bottom thereof is positioned below the overflow opening, and includes a plurality of bent blades arranged to form a passage for the exhaust gas; an oil/water separation tank for scrubbing liquid received from the overflow opening by sequentially passing the liquid through a plurality of reservoirs, and a spray nozzle installed to spray the liquid into an inlet-side space of the wet scrubbing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: DAI SUNG ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Seob Lee, Hern Kim, Mi Hye Yang
  • Publication number: 20090101656
    Abstract: A system for storing an additive and for injecting the additive into exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The system includes a tank for storing the additive, an injector and a pump for conveying the additive from the tank to the injector via an injection line, and a purge device configured to force a purge gas to flow through the entire injection line either from the tank to the injector, or from the injector to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYS. RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME
    Inventor: Stephane Leonard
  • Publication number: 20090094968
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas purification device disposition structure of a vehicle, comprises a fuel tank with a fuel supply port which is disposed so as to be open to an outside of a vehicle compartment, and a urea tank to accommodate urea water solution as deoxidizer to purify exhaust gas. The urea tank is disposed outside the vehicle compartment, and a pouring port of the urea tank is provided inside the vehicle compartment. Accordingly, the urea water solution can be surely prevented from entering into the vehicle compartment even in case of the breakage of the urea tank, and the mistake of supplying the wrong liquid into the wrong supply (pouring) port tank which may be made by confusing the ports can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto IKEGAMI, Yukiichirou SHIMADA, Noritaka SAKIYAMA, Noriyoshi SAHASHI, Kota MATSUE, Chikara ISHIHARA, Shinya MATSUMOTO, Yoshikazu NISHIMURA, Yoshiaki MURAKAMI, Masamitsu TANAKA, Ken UEKI
  • Publication number: 20090064669
    Abstract: In a structure of an additive-agent diffusion plate in an exhaust passage, the exhaust passage is an exhaust passage for an engine. The additive-agent diffusion plate includes a plurality of collision portions; and a plurality of communication portions that allow exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage to flow from an area upstream of the additive-agent diffusion plate to an area downstream of the additive-agent diffusion plate in an exhaust-gas flow direction. The additive-agent diffusion plate diffuses an additive agent injected into the exhaust passage, at a position upstream of an exhaust gas purification device, which is disposed in the exhaust passage, in the exhaust-gas flow direction. Each of the collision portions protrudes toward an upstream side in the exhaust-gas flow direction, and a cross section of each of the collision portions increases from the upstream side toward a downstream side of the exhaust-gas flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoki Mabuchi, Toshio Murata, Atsushi Inomata
  • Publication number: 20090056311
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine system includes compressing intake air, restricting exhaust flow from the engine via a flow restriction device, and supplying compressor air to a compressed air subsystem of the engine during restricting exhaust flow. Supplying of compressor air may occur by selectively actuating a pressure control device to fluidly connect an inlet of a compressed air subsystem with the compressor. An associated machine and engine system include a compressor, a flow restriction device, a compressed air subsystem and a pressure control device to selectively fluidly connect the compressed air subsystem with the compressor when the flow restriction device is in a relatively more closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel W. Crosby, Anil Raina
  • Publication number: 20090032000
    Abstract: A hydrated EGR system, method and apparatus for a vehicle, in which heat from an exhaust pipe is used to heat an aqueous fluid solution in a water tank. A portion of the hot exhaust gas is diverted from the main exhaust flow, and the diverted portion is bubbled through the heated aqueous fluid solution to form a hydrated EGR mixture containing water vapor. The hydrated EGR mixture is then fed back to an intake portion of the engine, is mixed with an incoming fuel/air mixture, and is burned with the fuel air mixture inside the engine. The use of the hydrated EGR mixture, including heated water vapor, as part of the intake charge simultaneously reduces harmful exhaust emissions, improves engine performance, and improves fuel economy of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Julius J. Rim
  • Publication number: 20090007891
    Abstract: A device for distributing recirculated gases to a component of an exhaust gas recirculation system. The device includes an inlet and an outlet for recirculated gases, an inlet port and an outlet port to the component, and a mechanism to reverse the stream of recirculated gases flowing through the component. A device for cooling recirculated exhaust gases is equipped with a mechanism to reverse the stream of recirculated gases inside the exchanger. A method of recirculating exhaust gases includes cleaning the EGR system, which is triggered by an electronic unit, and which includes reversing the stream of EGR gases flowing through an EGR cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Bernard Rollet
  • Publication number: 20080277401
    Abstract: A fluid container for a motor vehicle, said container having a container wall which is made out of a plastic material and is provided with at least one metal resistance heating element. According to the invention the container wall is provided with at least one PPTC element as protection against overheating, said PPTC element beeing connected in series with the at least one heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Carsten Hafner
  • Publication number: 20080276803
    Abstract: A method for processing flue-gas, in an exemplary embodiment, includes providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor, channeling a combustion flue gas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, and channeling an ammonia-based liquid reagent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor. The method also includes partially separating the ammonia-based liquid from the flue gas such that the ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by a plurality of pores of the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 within the ammonia-based liquid to produce a CO2-rich ammonia-based liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Molaison, Alan Smithies
  • Publication number: 20080250780
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide emissions from a hydrocarbon combustor are discharged into a large aquatic body, which acts as a CO2 sink. The aquatic capture of the CO2 prevents that CO2 from entering the atmosphere. In addition, the captured CO2 participates in a photosynthesis process for growing a plant bloom which can be harvested, and converted into a fuel for reuse in the combustion unit. The combustion in fossil fueled power plants yields two products: the thermal energy for power, and waste CO2, which can be a raw material for growing an aquatic biomass. When the exhaust gases are discharged to the atmosphere, this raw material is lost, but by capturing this raw material in a highly efficient manner it can be converted to a usable form. An additional benefit of this efficient capture is that the adverse environmental effects of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere are avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Howard A. Fromson
  • Patent number: 7431757
    Abstract: A combustion turbine power plant (10) incorporating a desiccating scrubber (140) for simultaneously removing water and sulfur from a flue gas (20) of the power plant (10). The desiccating scrubber (140) may include an inlet nozzle (145) for spraying an aqueous solution (142) containing a desiccant and a base into flue gas (20) so the aqueous solution (142) makes direct contact with flue gas (20). A filter (162) may be provided to collect sulfur compounds downstream of the desiccating scrubber (140) and a regenerator (164) may be provided for recovering water. A controller (148) may control a base supply (170) and a desiccant supply (172) to regulate the respective amounts of each introduced into the aqueous solution (142). Controller (148) may be responsive to sensors (142) measuring the water and sulfur content of flue gas (20) exhausted to atmosphere (144). The desiccating scrubber (140) may include a demister (160) to entrain carryover droplets from a sprayed aqueous solution (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Publication number: 20080236143
    Abstract: A waste gas purification apparatus comprises a cooling unit including a cooling chamber containing a cooling fluid and a waste gas transmission pipe passing through the cooling chamber and immersing in the cooling fluid, which is used to cool the waste gas input into the waste gas transmission pipe; a dust eliminating unit provided at the downstream side of the cooling unit and used to eliminate harmful substances and dust contained in the waste gas; an absorbing unit provided at the downstream side of the dust eliminating unit and containing an absorbing fluid, which is used to eliminate carbon dioxide and sulfide contained in the waste gas by mean of the reaction between the absorbing fluid and the carbon dioxide and sulfide, in which the carbon dioxide and sulfide react with the absorbing fluid to generate precipitates; and a cleaning unit provided at the downstream side of the absorbing unit and containing a cleaning fluid, which is used to eliminate harmful substances and dust remained in the waste gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: KOON KWAN LO
  • Publication number: 20080141662
    Abstract: A system for applying secondary fluids to vehicular exhaust after-treatment apparatus utilizes a mixing chamber coupled for receipt of a portion of the vehicle's exhaust flow. A source of secondary fluid is coupled to the mixing chamber and a fluid distribution element is positioned in a mean exhaust flow conduit upstream of the exhaust after-treatment apparatus. The fluid distribution element presents a preselected pattern of fluid flow toward an upstream face of the after-treatment apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Markus Schuster, Ted G. Gomulka, Sascha Haverkamp
  • Patent number: 7340889
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminant emissions from the exhaust stream of a combustion device, comprising increasing the dew point of the exhaust gases; reducing the velocity of the exhaust stream; reducing the temperature of the exhaust stream such that a part of the gases in the exhaust stream are condensed into liquid form, such that the liquid traps particles and noxious gases from the exhaust stream yielding a liquid extraction stream and a residual gaseous exhaust stream; and collecting the extraction stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Pedro Riquelme
  • Patent number: 7192469
    Abstract: A device, system and methods related to the same are provided for the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. An exhaust treatment device is provided comprising a chamber containing a liquid bath through which exhaust gases are directed for removing exhaust products from the exhaust gas. A thermal reducer is provided for reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas prior to entry into the exhaust gas treatment device, as desired. Further provided are related methods for removing carbon monoxide from exhaust gas, liquid hydrocarbon solutions for use as the liquid bath in the exhaust gas treatment device, and methods for preparing such liquid hydrocarbon bath solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: Joann Rumell, legal representative, Joseph J. Rumell, Fred A. VanDeVander, Demetrius A. Rumell, deceased
  • Patent number: 7065962
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system and a method for purifying exhaust gas of combustion engines. The system includes a hollow casing, a converter chamber disposed within the casing, spray nozzles for spraying a scrubbing liquid into the converter chamber for forming a moisture-saturated exhaust gas in order to remove pollutants dispersed in the exhaust gas and purifying the exhaust gas, a cooling container disposed within the casing and defining a cooling jacket enveloping the converter chamber for cooling thereof, a primary circulating reservoir fluidly connected to the converter chamber for receiving the moisture-saturated exhaust gas and separating the purified exhaust gas from a waste liquid and for cleaning the scrubbing liquid from the pollutants dispersed in the waste liquid for reuse, and a secondary circulating reservoir fluidly connected to the primary circulating reservoir for receiving the cleaned scrubbing liquid and supplying the scrubbing liquid to the liquid spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Franz B. Boncodin
  • Patent number: 6820419
    Abstract: A marine wet exhaust system (10) which injects water into the exhaust flow for cooling and attenuating noise includes a particulate capture and containment system (14) for removing particulates and fluid contaminants from the exhaust gas and the waste cooling water of the discharge. With a first embodiment, this is accomplished by separating the waste cooling water and entrained particulates from the exhaust gas in a muffler/separator (912); accumulating the waste cooling water and entrained particulates in a reservoir (52); and separating the entrained particulates from the waste cooling water in a filter (50). The system further includes a reservoir discharge pump assembly (54), a reservoir drain line (86) and a bleed line (74) to maintain water levels in the reservoir and the filter. With a second embodiment, a condensate trap (56) separates particulates and condensates from the de-watered exhaust gas and returns them to the reservoir (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Centek Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Ford, Ken Harstel, Ernie Beckwith, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6810662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a gas flow, the method comprising spraying of water mist into the gas flow by utilizing at least one spray nozzle thereby causing a negative pressure in the immediate vicinity of the nozzle for sucking the gas flow into the sprayed spray. The method provides a simple and inexpensive method for purifying gases, such as exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. The invention further relates to an apparatus for implementing the method. The apparatus comprises a support structure (3) to which at least one spray nozzle (4) is arranged, the operation of the spray nozzle producing a suction that creates a negative pressure in the immediate vicinity of the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6799422
    Abstract: A method of controlling emissions from a fixed-speed internal combustion engine includes injecting a controlled flow of air into the exhaust between a first catalyst bed adapted to reduce HC and NOx emissions, and a second catalyst bed adapted to reduce CO emissions. The flow of air is controlled to optimize the level of CO emissions, preferably as a function of engine load or temperature. In a marine engine-generator set, the flow of air is controlled as a function of generator load or temperature of the exhaust mixture entering the second catalyst bed, and seawater is injected into the exhaust stream downstream of the catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Westerbeke Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Westerbeke, Jr., Erik S. Larson
  • Publication number: 20030221413
    Abstract: Either (a) the exhaust (20) of an engine (9) and/or (b) inlet air (11) is sent to a hydrogen generator (22) along with diesel fuel (18) to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide (26) for either (c) mixing with the mainstream of exhaust fed to a catalytic converter (28) or (d) regenerating a pair of NOx adsorption traps (35, 36), thereby reducing oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to provide system exhaust (29) which may have less than 0.20 grams/bhp/hr of NOx and 0.14 grams/bhp/hr of non-methane hydrocarbons. A water recovery unit (52, 63) may extract water from either the exhaust or the effluent of the NOx traps to humidify inlet air (11) for mixture with fuel. Inlet air (11) may be humidified in an air bubbling humidifier (72) that receives water from a condenser (76) that uses inlet air to cool NOx trap effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: John G. Buglass, Francis A. Kocum, Ke Liu, Ronald J. Schoonebeek, Antonio M. Vincitore
  • Publication number: 20030209008
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing pollutants in internal combustion engine emissions, particularly marine electric generator engines, includes a treatment chamber having an intake opening for receiving gaseous emissions from the engine, and an exhaust opening for exiting emissions. A perforated metal tube is disposed within the treatment chamber, and an electrode is disposed within the metal tube in spaced apart relation to the metal tube. The electrode is encircled by the metal tube so that, upon applying a voltage at a predetermined frequency to the electrode, an arc is generated across the space between the electrode and the metal tube to promote a chemical reaction reducing the concentration of pollutants. The treatment chamber is contained within a manifold, and cooled by a flow of water. A supplemental air source is connected to the treatment chamber, and a chemical substrate is disposed within the treatment chamber for promoting the chemical reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: ENVIROLIFT, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Mills, David James
  • Patent number: 6625977
    Abstract: A method and a system for treating an internal combustion engine exhaust gas using a hydrocarbons as fuel. The internal combustion engine exhaust gas contains particulates and toxic substances. Such particulates and toxic substances being liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and Nox. The system uses carbon dioxide to interact with the exhaust gas. The carbon dioxide is stored within a container at its triple state. The carbon dioxide and the exhaust gas are conducted through an emission exchanger. The exhaust gas is scrubbed or cleaned by the carbon dioxide and the hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, Nox, and particulate emissions are carried away by a carbon dioxide gas stream. The cleaned exhaust gas can be discharged into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide gas stream can be cleaned by passing the same through separator components which remove the pollutants therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: David L. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20030121253
    Abstract: A marine wet exhaust system (10) which injects water into the exhaust flow for cooling and attenuating noise includes a particulate capture and containment system (14) for removing particulates and fluid contaminants from the exhaust gas and the waste cooling water of the discharge. With a first embodiment, this is accomplished by separating the waste cooling water and entrained particulates from the exhaust gas in a muffler/separator (12); accumulating the waste cooling water and entrained particulates in a reservoir (52); and separating the entrained particulates from the waste cooling water in a filter (50). The system further includes a reservoir discharge pump assembly (54), a reservoir drain line (86) and a bleed line (74) to maintain water levels in the reservoir and the filter. With a second embodiment, a condensate trap (56) separates particulates and condensates from the de-watered exhaust gas and returns them to the reservoir (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: John R. Ford, Ken Harstel, Ernie Beckwith Sr
  • Publication number: 20030115860
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for use with an internal combustion engine includes at least one leg having a multi-stage NOx adsorber, with each NOx adsorber stage corresponding to a different temperature range of NOx adsorption. In a multi-pass aftertreatment system, a manifold has at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets. A plurality of legs are connected with a respective manifold outlet. Each leg has a NOx adsorber therein. At least one valve is positioned in association with at least one leg for at least partially opening and closing the at least one leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: David F. May, Charles R. Schenk, Louis A. Krempel, H. Lee Fisher, Angela R. May
  • Publication number: 20020170286
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device in a vehicle, wherein a reforming reactor is provided for extraction of hydrogen from fuel and the hydrogen is supplied to an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine upstream of the exhaust gas catalytic converter, wherein the reforming reactor includes a supply device for oxygen and/or water, wherein the reforming reactor is connected with a side branch of the exhaust gas conduit and wherein oxygen and water for reforming are supplied in the form of an exhaust gas partial stream via the side branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Docter, Andreas Kaupert, Bernd Krutzsch, Arnold Lamm, Bernhard Vogel, Steffen Oliver Wieland
  • Patent number: 6393836
    Abstract: A treatment device for exhaust of a vehicle has a main body, a filter net, and a covering lid. The main body includes an exhaust storage chamber and an outer inlet pipe in communication with the exhaust storage chamber for guiding the exhaust from the exhaust pipe of a car into the main body. Branch pipes with radial tubes in the main body communicate with the exhaust storage chamber, each having numerous small apertures. A netting stand is in the main body to support the filter net and liquid agent is filled in the main body with a level below the filter net. The covering lid encloses the upper opening of the main body. The device causes the exhaust to have a greater contact area with the liquid agent and with the filter net. Accordingly, the harmful substances in the exhaust are removed effectively, and the temperature of exhaust and the sound volume of generated noise are lowered substantially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Ta-Wei Huang
  • Publication number: 20020059794
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a gas flow, the method comprising spraying of water mist into the gas flow by utilizing at least one spray nozzle thereby causing a negative pressure in the immediate vicinity of the nozzle for sucking the gas flow into the sprayed spray. The method provides a simple and inexpensive method for purifying gases, such as exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. The invention further relates to an apparatus for implementing the method. The apparatus comprises a support structure (3) to which at least one spray nozzle (4) is arranged, the operation of the spray nozzle producing a suction that creates a negative pressure in the immediate vicinity of the spray nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Goran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6378299
    Abstract: A system for cooling the exhaust of a marine diesel engine, including a water can having a central exhaust flow passage, and inner and outer walls defining a water manifold, a water source fluidly connected to the water manifold for supplying water to the water manifold, a plurality of apertures passing from the manifold into the central exhaust flow passage, and a plurality of dispersion vanes, each dispersion vane aligned over a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures, whereby water supplied by the water source to the water manifold passes through each aperture and strikes a dispersion vane. The water striking the dispersion vanes forms a fine water mist having an increased available surface area for efficiently transferring the latent heat of vaporization from the exhaust flow to the water mist without causing a high back pressure in the exhaust flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Fred J. Schlehuber
  • Patent number: 6280270
    Abstract: A propulsion system made up of an engine located in the interior of a marine vessel is provided. The engine has an exhaust discharge member in communication with a propulsion unit. A gimbal ring has a pivotable exhaust passage connected to pass exhaust from the discharge member to the propulsion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventor: Gerald F. Neisen