A method for ascertaining a fill level of at least one exhaust-gas component, which can be stored in a catalytic converter and which is generated in a combustion process, in the catalytic converter, wherein a variation of the fill level of the at least one exhaust-gas component in the catalytic converter during the combustion process is determined, wherein, during time periods in which the combustion process is not operated, a diffusion-induced change of the fill level of the at least one exhaust-gas component in the catalytic converter is determined, and wherein, on the basis of the determined variation during the combustion process and the diffusion-induced change, a fill level of the at least one exhaust-gas component in the catalytic converter is ascertained. The invention furthermore relates to a processing unit and to a computer program for carrying out such a method.

The present disclosure describes methods for evaluating quality of DEF dosed to an EAS including a close coupled SCR unit a downstream SCR unit. A NOx conversion efficiency of the close coupled SCR unit and a NOx conversion efficiency of the downstream SCR unit are used to evaluate quality of DEF. In some embodiments, the NOx conversion efficiency of close coupled SCR unit is used to evaluate quality of DEF. Operation of an EAS using the results of the evaluation of quality of DEF are described.

A method for determining a conversion capability of one or multiple exhaust gas catalytic converters, downstream from an internal combustion engine. The method includes ascertaining a respective local temperature at multiple locations within the one or the multiple catalytic converters, ascertaining a local conversion capability for a section or a partial volume of the one or the multiple catalytic converters based on the local temperature, and ascertaining a global conversion capability of the one or the multiple catalytic converters based on the ascertained local conversion capabilities. A processing unit and a computer program product for carrying out such a method are also described.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a method for determining a state parameter of an exhaust gas sensor with a sensor element and a heating device arranged in the sensor element for heating the sensor element. The heating device is electrically connected via a first electrical line and a second electrical line to a control device for electrically controlling the heating device. The heating device includes a measuring line electrically connected between the control device and the first electrical line for controlling the temperature-dependent resistance of the heating section. The method may include: determining a measurement voltage dropped between the first electrical line and the measuring line; determining a compensation voltage on the basis of a predetermined reference voltage and the determined measurement voltage; and determining the state parameter of the exhaust gas sensor by assigning the determined compensation voltage to the state parameter.

A controller for controlling operation of an aftertreatment system that is configured to treat constituents of an exhaust gas produced by an engine, the aftertreatment system including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, the controller configured to: generate a short-term cumulative degradation estimate of the SCR catalyst corresponding to reversible degradation of the SCR catalyst due to sulfur and/or hydrocarbons based on a SCR catalyst temperature parameter; generate a long-term cumulative degradation estimate of the SCR catalyst corresponding to thermal aging of the SCR catalyst based on the SCR catalyst temperature parameter; generate a combined degradation estimate of the SCR catalyst based on the short-term cumulative degradation estimate and the long-term cumulative degradation estimate; and adjust an amount of reductant and/or an amount of hydrocarbons inserted into the aftertreatment system based on the combined degradation estimate of the SCR catalyst.

An exhaust gas purification device includes a first catalyst, a second catalyst, a bypass pipe, a hydrocarbon adsorbent, and a switching controller. The first catalyst is provided in an exhaust pipe. The second catalyst is provided downstream of the first catalyst in the exhaust pipe. The bypass pipe branches from a first portion of the exhaust pipe. The first portion is located upstream of the second catalyst. The bypass pipe is recoupled to a second portion of the exhaust pipe. The second portion is located upstream of the second catalyst. The hydrocarbon adsorbent is provided in the bypass pipe. The switching controller is configured to switch a flow path of an exhaust gas to the bypass pipe based on a deterioration degree of the first catalyst.

An exhaust aftertreatment system and associated method for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream of a lean-burn or other compression-ignition internal combustion engine is described. An instruction set is executable to determine an engine-out NO2 concentration upstream of an oxidation catalyst and determine a first parameter associated with O2 concentration. A consumption of oxygen in the oxidation catalyst due to oxidation reactions is determined, and a concentration of NO2 generated by the oxidation catalyst is determined based upon the consumption of oxygen in the oxidation catalyst. A concentration of NO2 downstream of the oxidation catalyst is determined. A NO2/NOx ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the oxidation catalyst is determined based upon the concentration of NO2 downstream of the oxidation catalyst and the NOx concentration measured by the downstream NOx sensor. The oxidation catalyst is evaluated based upon the NO2/NOx ratio.

A lean-burn internal combustion engine and an exhaust aftertreatment system having an oxidation catalyst are described. A controller determines a fueling rate and a mass flowrate of the exhaust gas feedstream. An inlet temperature of the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the oxidation catalyst is determined via the first temperature sensor, and an in-use outlet temperature of the exhaust gas feedstream is determined downstream of the oxidation catalyst via the second temperature sensor. An expected outlet temperature from the oxidation catalyst is determined based upon the inlet temperature, the fueling rate, and the mass flowrate of the exhaust gas feedstream. The oxidation catalyst is evaluated based upon the expected outlet temperature and the in-use outlet temperature.

A method of manufacturing an on-board diagnostic (OBD) limit part and a method of testing to evaluate an OBD system. The method of manufacturing the OBD limit part includes introducing a contaminant to a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst and contacting the contaminant with the SCR catalyst for a selected period of time. The method of manufacturing utilizes a vessel, the contaminant, and the SCR catalyst. The OBD limit part is a combination of the contaminant and the SCR catalyst within the vessel. The method of testing to evaluate the OBD system includes collecting data related to an exhaust gas before and after the exhaust gas is exposed to the OBD limit part, collecting an indication provided by the OBD system, and comparing the data related to the exhaust gas and the indication provided by the OBD system. The method of testing to evaluate the OBD system utilizes a system that includes an exhaust gas source, a first and a second fluid path, the OBD limit part, and the OBD system.

Engine systems and methods use a dual air injection approach to control exhaust reactions and to maintain temperatures below a maximum limit of exhaust system components during engine enrichment operation conditions. Dual air injectors are disposed in the exhaust system with one upstream from, and another downstream from, the catalytic converter. Providing air injection before and/or after the converter helps convert all HC, CO, and PM emissions while keeping the catalyst temperature below the catalyst protection temperature limit. Air injection quantity may be controlled and diagnosed by monitoring the temperatures before and after the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter may be a three-way catalytic converter for lower cost or a downstream two-way catalytic converter may be added if further emission reduction is necessary.