Abstract: A control strategy for producing high quality extrudates, including the steps of monitoring the temperature of a ceramic precursor batch by measuring the temperature of the batch material either directly or indirectly by measuring the temperature of a component of the extruder proximate to the die and transmitting the temperature data to an extrusion control system which comprises a master controller (106), at least one slave controller (110) and an optional supervisory controller. The supervisory controller determines batch temperature setpoint (102) in order to achieve the desired temperatures for extruding a certain type of batch material based on real time temperature inputs and stored parameters such as batch composition, process throughput, extruder cooling capacity, and the like.

Abstract: Methods of operating an extrusion apparatus are provided for extruding ceramic or ceramic-forming material. The extrusion apparatus includes an extrusion die mounted with respect to a barrel. At least one screw is rotatably mounted within the barrel, and a feeder is configured to introduce a batch material to the screw. Example methods can adjust at least one of a rotational rate of the screw to an initial rotational rate or a feed rate of the feeder to an initial feed rate when based on a changed operating condition and/or when the batch material reaches the extrusion die. At least one of the rotational rate of the screw or the feed rate of the feeder can then be increased during a transient state until a steady state is reached.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling temperature and total hydrocarbon slip in an exhaust system are provided. Control systems can comprise an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter, a fuel injector, and a processor for controlling a fuel injection based on an oxidation catalyst model. Example system includes a virtual sensor comprising a controller for calculating and providing the total hydrocarbon slip to subsystems for after-treatment management based on modeling the oxidation catalyst. Example methods for controlling the temperature and the total hydrocarbon slip in an exhaust system include the steps of providing an oxidation catalyst model, monitoring a condition of the exhaust system, calculating a hydrocarbon fuel injection flow rate and controlling a fuel injection. The example methods further include the steps of determining an error in the oxidation catalyst model based on the monitored condition and changing the oxidation catalyst model to reduce the error.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling temperature and total hydrocarbon slip in an exhaust system are provided. Control systems can comprise an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter, a fuel injector, and a processor for controlling a fuel injection based on an oxidation catalyst model. Example system includes a virtual sensor comprising a controller for calculating and providing the total hydrocarbon slip to subsystems for after-treatment management based on modeling the oxidation catalyst. Example methods for controlling the temperature and the total hydrocarbon slip in an exhaust system include the steps of providing an oxidation catalyst model, monitoring a condition of the exhaust system, calculating a hydrocarbon fuel injection flow rate and controlling a fuel injection. The example methods further include the steps of determining an error in the oxidation catalyst model based on the monitored condition and changing the oxidation catalyst model to reduce the error.

Abstract: A control strategy for producing high quality extrudates, including the steps of monitoring the temperature of a ceramic precursor batch by measuring the temperature of the batch material either directly or indirectly by measuring the temperature of a component of the extruder proximate to the die and transmitting the temperature data to an extrusion control system which comprises a master controller (106), at least one slave controller (110) and an optional supervisory controller. The supervisory controller determines batch temperature setpoint (102) in order to achieve the desired temperatures for extruding a certain type of batch material based on real time temperature inputs and stored parameters such as batch composition, process throughput, extruder cooling capacity, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an exhaust stream temperature at a point along an exhaust system. The exhaust system can include an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter having an outlet, and a fuel injector for injecting fuel into an exhaust stream at a location upstream from the outlet. An adaptive control can be provided to model a portion of the exhaust system. A fuel injection flow rate at which fuel is injected into the exhaust stream by the fuel injector can be calculated based on the adaptive control model. An operation of the fuel injector can be controlled based on the calculated fuel injection flow rate, to control the exhaust stream temperature at point along the exhaust system. A condition of the exhaust stream can also monitored and an error in the adaptive control model can be determined based on the monitored condition. The adaptive control model can also be changed to reduce the error.

Abstract: Methods of operating an extrusion apparatus are provided for extruding ceramic or ceramic-forming material. The extrusion apparatus includes an extrusion die mounted with respect to a barrel. At least one screw is rotatably mounted within the barrel, and a feeder is configured to introduce a batch material to the screw. Example methods can adjust at least one of a rotational rate of the screw to an initial rotational rate or a feed rate of the feeder to an initial feed rate when based on a changed operating condition and/or when the batch material reaches the extrusion die. At least one of the rotational rate of the screw or the feed rate of the feeder can then be increased during a transient state until a steady state is reached.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling temperature and total hydrocarbon slip in an exhaust system are provided. Control systems can comprise an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter, a fuel injector, and a processor for controlling a fuel injection based on an oxidation catalyst model. Example system includes a virtual sensor comprising a controller for calculating and providing the total hydrocarbon slip to subsystems for after-treatment management based on modeling the oxidation catalyst. Example methods for controlling the temperature and the total hydrocarbon slip in an exhaust system include the steps of providing an oxidation catalyst model, monitoring a condition of the exhaust system, calculating a hydrocarbon fuel injection flow rate and controlling a fuel injection. The example methods further include the steps of determining an error in the oxidation catalyst model based on the monitored condition and changing the oxidation catalyst model to reduce the error.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an exhaust stream temperature at a point along an exhaust system. The exhaust system can include an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter having an outlet, and a fuel injector for injecting fuel into an exhaust stream at a location upstream from the outlet. An adaptive control can be provided to model a portion of the exhaust system. A fuel injection flow rate at which fuel is injected into the exhaust stream by the fuel injector can be calculated based on the adaptive control model. An operation of the fuel injector can be controlled based on the calculated fuel injection flow rate, to control the exhaust stream temperature at point along the exhaust system. A condition of the exhaust stream can also monitored and an error in the adaptive control model can be determined based on the monitored condition. The adaptive control model can also be changed to reduce the error.