The instant invention is based on techniques for using non-thermal plasma reactors in both the main exhaust pipe and in the exhaust gas recirculation feed pipe to reduce particulate matter sufficiently to meet EPA limits for PM and enhanced exhaust gas recirculation to meet NOx limits. More specifically, it is based upon the use of a non-thermal plasma device in which a high voltage charge in the plasma reactor causes extremely rapid oxidation of soot particles in the exhaust stream of an engine and further chemical reactions that aid in the reduction of NOx. The primary benefit of this technology is that it can be calibrated to optimize both soot and NOx reduction.

Provided is a plasma reactor capable of reliably generating plasma even in the event of inflow of water. The plasma reactor of the present invention includes a plasma panel stack 20, electrically conductive members 51 and 54, a case, and a mat 71. The plasma panel stack 20 has a structure in which electrode panels 30 are stacked, and generates plasma upon application of voltage between the adjacent electrode panels 30. The electrically conductive members 51 and 54 are electrically connected to discharge electrodes of the electrode panels 30. The case houses the plasma panel stack 20. The mat 71 intervenes between the case and the plasma panel stack 20 and fixes the plasma panel stack 20 to the case. The mat 71 is disposed apart from the electrically conductive members 51 and 54 so that gaps S1 and S2 are formed between the mat 71 and the electrically conductive members 51 and 54, respectively.

This invention relates to a device for increasing fuel efficiency and reducing post-combustion pollutant gas emission for internal combustion engines. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a device with an inner circular electrode with gear-shaped outer circumference and an outer cylindrical electrode. The generated plasma between electrodes breaks the air molecules, and forms ozone and charged moieties, significantly improving the combustion efficiency and post-combustion pollutant gas emission. In one embodiment, the device further comprises one or more brushes. In one embodiment, the invention also discloses a system comprising: 1) the device described herein, 2) a voltage controlling system, and 3) a humidity controlling system. In one embodiment, the fuel consumption can be reduced by 2% to 55%. In one embodiment, the pollutant gas emission can be reduced by 25% to 99%.

A gas treating apparatus may include a reaction chamber configured to process a gas supplied from an outside by a plasma, the processed gas containing a nitrogen oxide, and a nitrogen oxide reduction apparatus connected to the reaction chamber. The nitrogen oxide reduction apparatus includes a cooling unit configured to cool the processed gas to a temperature lower than a nitrogen oxide generation temperature.

An engine assembly includes a diesel internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system coupled to the diesel internal combustion engine. The aftertreatment system includes a diesel oxidation catalyst coupled to the diesel internal combustion engine such that the diesel oxidation catalyst receives exhaust gases from the diesel internal combustion engine. The aftertreatment system includes a plasma generator in fluid communication with the diesel oxidation catalyst, wherein the plasma generator is upstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst and downstream of the diesel internal combustion engine, and the plasma generator is configured to generate oxidizers to at least partially oxidize hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases exiting the diesel internal combustion engine.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are contemplated in which a tube cell that produces a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is individually configured to minimize the mixing of unwanted byproducts of the generated plasma with an exhaust air stream. The tube cell generates a DBD within a tube cell, such that oxidants or radicals are generated in an environment substantially separated from the exhaust stream. The generated oxidants are directed to intersect with the exhaust stream to minimize the generation of unwanted byproducts. The tube cells are further shaped and arranged in tube cell arrays to alter the flow dynamics of the exhaust stream and the oxidant or radical streams, including mixing of the streams.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are contemplated in which a tube cell that produces a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is individually configured to minimize the mixing of unwanted byproducts of the generated plasma with an exhaust air stream. The tube cell generates a DBD within a tube cell, such that oxidants or radicals are generated in an environment substantially separated from the exhaust stream. The generated oxidants are directed to intersect with the exhaust stream to minimize the generation of unwanted byproducts. The tube cells are further shaped and arranged in tube cell arrays to alter the flow dynamics of the exhaust stream and the oxidant or radical streams, including mixing of the streams.

Provided is a plasma reactor capable of reliably generating plasma even in the event of inflow of water. The plasma reactor of the present invention includes a plasma panel stack 20, electrically conductive members 51 and 54, a case, and a mat 71. The plasma panel stack 20 has a structure in which electrode panels 30 are stacked, and generates plasma upon application of voltage between the adjacent electrode panels 30. The electrically conductive members 51 and 54 are electrically connected to discharge electrodes of the electrode panels 30. The case houses the plasma panel stack 20. The mat 71 intervenes between the case and the plasma panel stack 20 and fixes the plasma panel stack 20 to the case. The mat 71 is disposed apart from the electrically conductive members 51 and 54 so that gaps S1 and S2 are formed between the mat 71 and the electrically conductive members 51 and 54, respectively.

An engine assembly includes a diesel internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system coupled to the diesel internal combustion engine. The aftertreatment system includes a diesel oxidation catalyst coupled to the diesel internal combustion engine such that the diesel oxidation catalyst receives exhaust gases from the diesel internal combustion engine. The aftertreatment system includes a plasma generator in fluid communication with the diesel oxidation catalyst, wherein the plasma generator is upstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst and downstream of the diesel internal combustion engine, and the plasma generator is configured to generate oxidizers to at least partially oxidize hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases exiting the diesel internal combustion engine.

There is provided a dielectric barrier electrical discharge apparatus and corresponding system and method. The apparatus comprises: at least two electrodes arranged in use to provide at least one anode and at least one cathode, the at least two electrodes being separated to allow a fluid to be present between the electrodes in use, and at least one of the electrodes has a dielectric portion connected to at least part of said electrode; a sub-macroscopic structure connected to at least one of the at least two electrodes and/or to the dielectric portion; and a drive circuit connected to each of the at least two electrodes and arranged in use to establish an electric field between the electrodes, wherein in response to the presence of the electric field between the electrodes, the sub-macroscopic structure is arranged to field-emit electrons and electrical discharge is establishable between the dielectric portion and one of the at least two electrodes, and the drive circuit is further arranged to provide real power to the fluid in use.