Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for a lean-burn engine may include a lean NOX trap that comprises a catalyst material. The catalyst material may remove NOX gases from the engine-out exhaust emitted from the lean-burn engine. The catalyst material may include a NOX oxidation catalyst that comprises a perovskite compound.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The OC device adsorbs hydrocarbons and is selectively activated to induce oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located within the OC device and is selectively activated to produce heat and induce further oxidation of the exhaust gas. The EHC device has an oxidation catalyst compound disposed thereon for converting nitrogen oxide (“NO”) to nitrogen dioxide (“NO2”).

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst includes preparing a first solution including a gold precursor and a palladium precursor, preparing an alumina suspension, heating the alumina suspension to a preferred temperature range, introducing the first solution to the alumina suspension and coincidently maintaining the pH of a resulting solution at a preferred pH level, separating solids in the resulting solution, and calcining the separated solids to form a catalyst including gold and palladium co-deposited onto alumina.

Abstract: The oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in an oxygen-containing gas stream, such as the exhaust stream from a diesel engine, or other lean-burn engine, may be catalyzed using a combination of mixed oxide particles of cerium, zirconium and copper, and discrete particles of an alumina-supported platinum group metal catalyst. The catalyzed oxidation of CO and HC by this combination of oxidation catalyst particles is effective at temperatures below 300° C.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, a flow-through container of absorbent particles, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas contains oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) and water. The flow-through container of absorbent particles is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and configured to receive the exhaust gas. The flow-through container substantially adsorbs the water from the exhaust gas below a threshold temperature. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the flow through container, and is selectively activated to produce heat.

Abstract: A bi-functional catalyst material, a SCR converter that includes the bi-functional catalyst material, an exhaust aftertreatment system that includes the SCR converter, and a method for removing NOX contained in an exhaust flow produced by a lean-burn engine are disclosed. The bi-functional catalyst material can (1) oxidize NO to NO2 and (2) selectively reduce NOX to N2 when exposed to an exhaust mixture that comprises the exhaust flow from the lean-burn engine and a suitable reductant. The bi-functional catalyst material comprises metal oxide particles selected from the group consisting of perovskite oxide particles and manganese-based mixed metal oxide particles dispersed on a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst.

Abstract: A cold start NO2 generation system includes a catalyst control module that identifies a portion of a three-way catalyst that corresponds to a nitrogen dioxide zone. A diagnostic module determines a temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone, and a fuel control module adjusts an air/fuel ratio based on the temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone. A cold start NO2 generation method includes identifying a portion of a three-way catalyst that corresponds to a nitrogen dioxide zone. The method further includes determining a temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone and adjusting an air/fuel ratio based on the temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst includes preparing a first solution including a gold precursor and a palladium precursor, preparing an alumina suspension, heating the alumina suspension to a preferred temperature range, introducing the first solution to the alumina suspension and coincidently maintaining the pH of a resulting solution at a preferred pH level, separating solids in the resulting solution, and calcining the separated solids to form a catalyst including gold and palladium co-deposited onto alumina.

Abstract: A sulfur tolerant oxidation catalyst with appreciable NO and HC oxidation capabilities has been developed for use in any component of an exhaust aftertreatment system for a lean-burn engine where the oxidation of at least NO is desired. Several non-exclusive examples of such components where the oxidation catalyst may be employed include a DOC and a LNT. The oxidation catalyst may comprise perovskite oxide particles that support palladium particles. The ability of the palladium supported perovskite oxide particles to concurrently oxidize NO and HC's can significantly diminish or altogether eliminate the use of platinum in the exhaust aftertreatment system for at least NO oxidation. The oxidation catalyst, moreover, may exhibit superior thermal durability and better NO and HC oxidation activities than platinum in some instances.

Abstract: An exhaust treatment system for an engine includes a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) treatment module that controls a valve and an air pump to deliver air to an SCR catalyst in response to the engine turning off. An SCR loading module controls the valve and the air pump to deliver air to an exhaust manifold and controls a dosing system to deliver a dosing agent upstream of the SCR catalyst when a temperature of the SCR catalyst is less than a temperature threshold and the SCR catalyst is not saturated with ammonia.

Abstract: The capacity of a platinum-containing diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) to simultaneously convert NO to NO2, CO to carbon dioxide, and remaining hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water in the exhaust system of a vehicle diesel engine may be evaluated and diagnosed using measured DOC exhaust inlet temperatures and outlet temperatures at a relatively high exhaust temperature and, soon thereafter, at a relatively low exhaust inlet temperature. Values of the platinum-containing DOC exotherms at the high and low DOC inlet temperatures are found to provide a basis for evaluation of both NO conversion and the HC and CO conversion capabilities of the DOC. The process may be repeated as the catalyzed DOC conversion efficiency changes with use. The practice may also be used to evaluate the performance of oxidation catalysts used in a like way in treating the exhaust from a lean-burn gasoline engine.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The OC device adsorbs hydrocarbons and is selectively activated to induce oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located within the OC device and is selectively activated to produce heat and induce further oxidation of the exhaust gas. The EHC device has an oxidation catalyst compound disposed thereon for converting nitrogen oxide (“NO”) to nitrogen dioxide (“NO2”).

Abstract: A method for monitoring performance of a passive selective catalytic reduction system includes operating the internal combustion engine in a preconditioning mode. Subsequent to the preconditioning, an air/fuel excursion is introduced into the exhaust gas feedstream and a signal output from a sensor monitoring the exhaust gas feedstream in the selective catalytic reduction system during the air/fuel excursion is monitored. An operating effectiveness is determined for the selective catalytic reduction system correlated to the signal output from the sensor monitoring the exhaust gas feedstream.

Abstract: An after-treatment system architecture and method for oxidizing the nitric oxide component of a gas stream are disclosed. One embodiment may include treatment of a gas stream that includes NOx with a perovskite catalyst of the general formula ABO3 or a modified formula of ABO3 wherein a small amount of a promoter material is substituted for a portion of at least one of element A or element B in a catalytic oxidation reaction to oxidize nitric oxide in the gas stream.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a first ozone sensor that generates a first sensor signal indicating a first amount of ozone in air flowing into a radiator. A second ozone sensor generates a second sensor signal indicating a second amount of ozone in air flowing out of the radiator. A control module receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and determines an ozone conversion rate based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an air/fuel ratio determination module and an emission level determination module. The air/fuel ratio determination module determines an air/fuel ratio based on input from an air/fuel ratio sensor positioned downstream from a three-way catalyst that is positioned upstream from a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The emission level determination module selects one of a predetermined value and an input based on the air/fuel ratio. The input is received from a nitrogen oxide sensor positioned downstream from the three-way catalyst. The emission level determination module determines an ammonia level based on the one of the predetermined value and the input received from the nitrogen oxide sensor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine configured to operate in a compression-ignition combustion mode includes an exhaust aftertreatment system. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a catalyst device fluidly coupled upstream of an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device. The, catalyst device includes first, second, and third elements fluidly coupled in series. The first element includes a three-way catalytic element, the second element includes a NOx adsorber, and the third element includes an oxidation catalytic element.

Abstract: A method of mitigating battery cell failure is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a coupling between a battery pack and an internal combustion engine exhaust system, the coupling comprising: a duct positioned between the battery pack and the internal combustion engine exhaust system, the duct including at least one one-way valve positioned to allow battery cell exhaust to pass from the battery cell to the internal combustion engine exhaust system; detecting a thermal event; activating a fan, an air pump, or both in response to the thermal event to force the battery cell exhaust through the coupling; and treating the battery cell exhaust in the internal combustion engine exhaust system. Battery failure mitigation systems are also described.

Abstract: Precursor cations of A and B elements of an ABO3 perovskite in aqueous solution are formed as an ionic complex gel with citric acid or other suitable polybasic carboxylic acid. The aqueous gel is coated onto a desired catalyst substrate and calcined to form, in-situ, particles of the crystalline perovskite as, for example, an oxidation catalyst on the substrate. In one embodiment, a perovskite catalyst such as LaCoO3 is formed on catalyst supporting cell walls of an extruded ceramic monolith for oxidation of NO in the exhaust gas of a lean burn vehicle engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine operatively disposed therein. The engine generates exhaust gases. The vehicle further includes an alternator operatively connected to the engine. The alternator produces DC power. An ultracapacitor is operatively connected to the alternator to receive electrical energy therefrom. The vehicle still further includes an exhaust gas treatment system operatively connected to the engine to receive exhaust gases therefrom. The exhaust gas treatment system includes an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) device electrically connected to the ultracapacitor to selectively heat a catalytic exhaust system component. The ultracapacitor stores energy converted by the alternator from vehicle kinetic energy and releases the stored energy to heat the EHC.