Abstract: Electric heaters comprising corrosion resistant metals (CRM), and exhaust gas treatment systems incorporating the same, are provided. Exhaust gas treatment systems include selective catalytic reduction devices (SCR) disposed downstream from reductant injectors. Electric heaters can be disposed downstream from reductant injectors, and optionally contiguous with or incorporated with a catalytic composition of the SCR. CRMs resist corrosion to reductant, which includes t ammonia and/or nitrogen-rich substances capable of decomposing into ammonia, such as urea. CRMs include aluminum, chromium, iron, and one or more stabilizers. CRMs can include about 5.0% to about 7.25% aluminum, about 15% to about 25% chromium, up to about 0.30% stabilizers, and a balance comprising iron. Stabilizers can include hafnium, yttrium, and zirconium. Stabilizers can include about 0.001% to about 0.11% yttrium and about 0.001% to about 0.11% Hf.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to new film-forming compositions based on starchy material, comprising isosorbide. The instant invention also relates to products made from the film-forming compositions of the invention, in particular hard and soft capsules shells, and to methods for the manufacture of such products.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring the performance of an oxidizing catalyst device are provided. Methods can include treating an exhaust gas stream with the oxidizing catalyst device, determining a reference liberated oxygen (LO) species measurement of the exhaust gas stream, measuring a downstream LO species measurement of the exhaust gas stream using a NOx sensor in a catalyst inactive mode, and determining a LO species differential. The downstream NOx sensor can comprise an amperometric sensor and include a NO2 selective reduction catalyst. Methods for using an amperometric NOx sensor utilizing an NO2 selective reduction catalyst are also provided, and include operating the NOx sensor in a catalyst active mode to generate a first LO species measurement, operating the NOx sensor in a catalyst inactive mode to generate a second LO species measurement, and comparing the first LO species measurement to the second LO species measurement to determine a LO species differential.

Abstract: A dual-layer catalyst includes a substrate, a first layer disposed on the substrate, and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer includes a first catalyst for storing NOx when the first catalyst has a temperature below an active temperature of a second catalyst. The first catalyst is to release the stored NOx when the first catalyst is heated to the active temperature of the second catalyst. The second layer includes the second catalyst for ammonia Selective Catalytic Reduction of the released NOx. The dual-layer catalyst is to be included in a catalytic converter and a catalyst system for reducing NOx emissions from a diesel engine, the NOx emissions including NOx emitted during a predetermined cold-start time period.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring the performance of an oxidizing catalyst device are provided. Methods can include treating an exhaust gas stream with the oxidizing catalyst device, determining a reference liberated oxygen (LO) species measurement of the exhaust gas stream, measuring a downstream LO species measurement of the exhaust gas stream using a NOx sensor in a catalyst inactive mode, and determining a LO species differential. The downstream NOx sensor can comprise an amperometric sensor and include a NO2 selective reduction catalyst. Methods for using an amperometric NOx sensor utilizing an NO2 selective reduction catalyst are also provided, and include operating the NOx sensor in a catalyst active mode to generate a first LO species measurement, operating the NOx sensor in a catalyst inactive mode to generate a second LO species measurement, and comparing the first LO species measurement to the second LO species measurement to determine a LO species differential.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a fuel module that, based on a crankshaft angle of an engine, generates a value indicative of an amount of fuel burned in a cylinder or a change in the amount of fuel burned. A heat release module, based on the value, determines an amount of heat released during a combustion event of the cylinder. A pressure module, based on the amount of heat released, estimates a pressure in the cylinder. A temperature module, based on the pressure, estimates a temperature in the cylinder. A concentration module, based on the pressure or the temperature, estimates nitrogen oxide concentration levels in the cylinder. An output module, based on the nitrogen oxide concentration levels, estimates an amount of nitrogen oxides. A control module, based on the amount of nitrogen oxides out of the cylinder, controls operation of the engine or an exhaust system.

Abstract: A method and system for non-uniform catalyst heating for reducing exhaust gas emissions when the catalyst is below a predetermined light off temperature is provided. The method includes providing a catalyst formed of a plurality of electrically conductive subsections and at least one catalyst heating device that is operable to heat at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive subsections of the catalyst to form at least one predetermined non-uniform heating pattern. A heater control module is provided for controlling the operation of the at least one catalyst heating device. If the engine is in a cold start condition, then the heater control module causes the at least one catalyst heating device to heat at least one of the electrically conductive subsections of the catalyst to obtain a first predetermined non-uniform heating pattern.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an engine producing an exhaust gas includes an exhaust gas tube configured to receive the exhaust gas. A particulate filter is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas tube and configured to undergo thermal regeneration when the exhaust gas in the particulate filter is heated above a regeneration temperature. A generator unit is positioned downstream of the particulate filter and includes a first catalyst. A tank is configured to store a precursor material. The generator unit is configured to employ the precursor material and the heat generated for the thermal regeneration of the particulate filter to generate an ammonia gas from the precursor material. The system includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of controlling generation of ammonia gas in the generator unit and injection of ammonia gas in the exhaust gas tube.

Abstract: A dual-layer catalyst includes a substrate, a first layer disposed on the substrate, and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer includes a first catalyst for storing NOx when the first catalyst has a temperature below an active temperature of a second catalyst. The first catalyst is to release the stored NOx when the first catalyst is heated to the active temperature of the second catalyst. The second layer includes the second catalyst for ammonia Selective Catalytic Reduction of the released NOx. The dual-layer catalyst is to be included in a catalytic converter and a catalyst system for reducing NOx emissions from a diesel engine, the NOx emissions including NOx emitted during a predetermined cold-start time period.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a fuel module that, based on a crankshaft angle of an engine, generates a value indicative of an amount of fuel burned in a cylinder or a change in the amount of fuel burned. A heat release module, based on the value, determines an amount of heat released during a combustion event of the cylinder. A pressure module, based on the amount of heat released, estimates a pressure in the cylinder. A temperature module, based on the pressure, estimates a temperature in the cylinder. A concentration module, based on the pressure or the temperature, estimates nitrogen oxide concentration levels in the cylinder. An output module, based on the nitrogen oxide concentration levels, estimates an amount of nitrogen oxides. A control module, based on the amount of nitrogen oxides out of the cylinder, controls operation of the engine or an exhaust system.

Abstract: In one aspect, an injector assembly for injecting a fluid into an exhaust aftertreatment system is provided. The injector assembly includes a housing having an outlet orifice and an inner wall defining a passageway, the passageway fluidly coupled to the outlet orifice and configured to supply the fluid to the outlet orifice, and a valve having a longitudinal axis. The valve is oriented within the passageway and configured to translate along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. A downstream end of the valve includes a tapered wall oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the housing inner wall is oriented at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In one aspect, a swirl can mixer assembly for mixing a fluid with exhaust gas exhausted from an internal combustion engine is provided. The assembly includes an inlet portion including an injection area configured to receive a fluid injector for dispensing the fluid into the exhaust gas for mixing with the exhaust gas in the mixing assembly to produce an exhaust gas/fluid mixture, an outlet portion, and an extended mixing conduit fluidly coupled between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The extended mixing conduit is curved about at least a portion of a circumference of the outlet portion to induce a swirl in the exhaust gas/fluid mixture such that the exhaust gas/fluid mixture enters the outlet portion tangentially thereto.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an internal combustion engine includes an oxidation catalyst configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine, a urea injector positioned downstream of the oxidation catalyst to inject a urea flow into the exhaust gas flow and a mixer positioned downstream of the urea injector to mix the exhaust gas flow and the urea flow to form a mixed exhaust gas and urea flow. The engine also includes a particulate filter and catalytic reduction assembly positioned downstream of the mixer to receive the mixed exhaust and urea flow from the mixer to form a treated exhaust gas flow and an exhaust gas recirculation system coupled to the particulate filter to receive a portion of the treated exhaust gas flow and recirculate the portion of the exhaust gas flow to be mixed with a fresh air flow for the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system is disclosed. The mixer includes a body portion that is configured to be disposed in an exhaust conduit of an exhaust aftertreatment system upstream of an exhaust aftertreatment device. The mixer also includes an airfoil portion that is disposed on the body portion and reversibly movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein in the deployed position the airfoil portion provides a deployed resistance to an exhaust gas flow and in the retracted position provides a retracted resistance thereto, and the deployed resistance is greater than the retracted resistance, the body portion and airfoil portion comprising a mixer. The mixer further includes a bimetallic couple that is operatively joined to the mixer and configured to reversibly move the airfoil portion from the retracted position to the deployed position.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, having an exhaust gas conduit, a reductant source, a temperature sensor, an intake mass air flow sensor, 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”). The reductant source is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured for injecting an amount of reductant that is released into the exhaust gas conduit. The temperature sensor is situated in the exhaust stream for determining a temperature of the exhaust gas at the reductant source. The intake mass air flow sensor measures an air mass flow entering the internal combustion engine. The control module is in communication with the reductant source, the temperature sensor, and the intake mass air flow sensor.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an internal combustion engine includes an oxidation catalyst configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine, a urea injector positioned downstream of the oxidation catalyst to inject a urea flow into the exhaust gas flow and a mixer positioned downstream of the urea injector to mix the exhaust gas flow and the urea flow to form a mixed exhaust gas and urea flow. The engine also includes a particulate filter and catalytic reduction assembly positioned downstream of the mixer to receive the mixed exhaust and urea flow from the mixer to form a treated exhaust gas flow and an exhaust gas recirculation system coupled to the particulate filter to receive a portion of the treated exhaust gas flow and recirculate the portion of the exhaust gas flow to be mixed with a fresh air flow for the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of an exhaust aftertreatment system, the system includes an oxidation catalyst configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion engine and a particulate filter positioned downstream of the oxidation catalyst, the particulate filter comprising a substrate. The system also includes a nitrogen oxide adsorbing catalyst applied to a downstream portion of the substrate and a selective catalytic reduction device positioned downstream of the nitrogen oxide adsorbing catalyst, wherein the selective catalytic reduction device is configured to remove nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, having an exhaust gas conduit, a reductant source, a temperature sensor, an intake mass air flow sensor, 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”). The reductant source is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured for injecting an amount of reductant that is released into the exhaust gas conduit. The temperature sensor is situated in the exhaust stream for determining a temperature of the exhaust gas at the reductant source. The intake mass air flow sensor measures an air mass flow entering the internal combustion engine. The control module is in communication with the reductant source, the temperature sensor, and the intake mass air flow sensor.

Abstract: A mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system is disclosed. The mixer includes a body portion that is configured to be disposed in an exhaust conduit of an exhaust aftertreatment system upstream of an exhaust aftertreatment device. The mixer also includes an airfoil portion that is disposed on the body portion and reversibly movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein in the deployed position the airfoil portion provides a deployed resistance to an exhaust gas flow and in the retracted position provides a retracted resistance thereto, and the deployed resistance is greater than the retracted resistance, the body portion and airfoil portion comprising a mixer. The mixer further includes a bimetallic couple that is operatively joined to the mixer and configured to reversibly move the airfoil portion from the retracted position to the deployed position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bracket, a pushing member having a pushing surface, a magazine member to fitting about a plurality of clamping rings, a sending member, a fixing member fixed to the bracket and a resisting member fixed to the fixing member. The fixing member defines a positioning hole for fixing the magazine member, with the clamping rings freely sliding through the positioning hole. The sending member includes two guiding rods fixed to the fixing member, two elastic elements fitting about the corresponding guiding rods, and a moving board slidably mounted to the guiding rods. The elasticity of the elastic elements urges the moving board to drive one of the plurality of clamping rings to resist against the resisting member. When the pushing member is moved towards the fixing member, the pushing surface pushes the one clamping ring to clamp a shaft of a connecting piece.