EXHAUST GAS AFTER-TREATMENT DEVICE AND INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Abstract

An exhaust gas after-treatment device includes: a catalytic converter system, which includes a delivery side and a discharge side; and a container including an interior space and at least two openings, the at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening, the catalytic converter system being arranged in the interior space of the container, the first opening being connected with the catalytic converter system on the delivery side, and the second opening being connected to the catalytic converter system on the discharge side.

Claims

1. An exhaust gas after-treatment device, comprising: a catalytic converter system, which includes a delivery side and a discharge side; and a container including an interior space and at least two openings, the at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening, the catalytic converter system being arranged in the interior space of the container, the first opening being connected with the catalytic converter system on the delivery side, and the second opening being connected to the catalytic converter system on the discharge side.

2. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a working platform, wherein the container includes a container top, the working platform being arranged on the container top of the container.

3. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust gas stack whichat least in one operating state of the exhaust gas after-treatment deviceis mounted outside of the container at the second opening.

4. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the container includes at least one rail arrangement, at least part of the catalytic converter system being movably located on the rail arrangement.

5. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the catalytic converter system includes a catalytic converter device, the catalytic converter system including a fresh air supply device configured for supplying a fresh air, the fresh air supply device including a first flow opening which is fluidically connected at least indirectly to the catalytic converter device of the catalytic converter system, and the fresh air supply device including a second flow opening which is structured and arranged for a fluidic connection with, and is fluidically connected with, a fresh air source.

6. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the catalytic converter system includes an SCR catalytic converter, the exhaust gas after-treatment device further including at least one reducing agent reservoir and a reducing agent supply line, the at least one reducing agent reservoir being arranged in the interior space of the container and being connected to the catalytic converter system via the reducing agent supply line.

7. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 6, further comprising a compressed air device, which is located in the interior space, is configured for injecting a reducing agent, and is operatively connected to reducing agent supply line.

8. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller which is structured and arranged for controlling the catalytic converter system and is located in the interior space.

9. An exhaust gas after-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas after-treatment device is a vehicle or a vehicle trailer.

10. An internal combustion engine, comprising: an exhaust gas after-treatment device, including: a catalytic converter system, which includes a delivery side and a discharge side; and a container including an interior space and at least two openings, the at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening, the catalytic converter system being arranged in the interior space of the container, the first opening being connected with the catalytic converter system on the delivery side, and the second opening being connected to the catalytic converter system on the discharge side; and an exhaust gas outlet which is fluidically connected to the first opening of the exhaust gas after-treatment device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of at least one embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exhaust gas after-treatment device;

[0045] FIG. 2 is a rotated view of the exhaust gas after-treatment device shown in FIG. 1 with a mounted exhaust gas stack;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view of the exhaust gas after-treatment device, in particular the interior of the container;

[0047] FIG. 4 is a first part of the exhaust gas after-treatment device in a sectional top view;

[0048] FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a second part of the exhaust gas after-treatment device; and

[0049] FIG. 6 is the exhaust gas after-treatment device in an operating state connected to an internal combustion engine.

[0050] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate at least one embodiment of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 with a container 3, in the interior of which a catalytic converter system which is not shown in FIG. 1 is arranged. Container 3 has at least two openings, in this case a first opening 5 and a second opening 7. The catalytic converter system arranged in the interior space of container 3 can be connected to an externally located internal combustion engine, in particular to an exhaust gas opening of the externally located internal combustion engine, via first opening 5. This creates an exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 that can be used flexibly. This can be connected to a large number of different externally located internal combustion engines and used in after-treatment of their exhaust gases, in particular reducing the pollutants contained therein.

[0052] Both openings, that is first opening 5 and second opening 7, are optionally designed to be closable and are closed in the state shown here.

[0053] In addition, exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 can be easily transported by way of container 3. Container 3 is optionally designed as a standardized container, in particular as an ISO container. In any case, container 3 optionally has dimensions customary for freight, so that it can be handled by way of known freight infrastructures, in particular freight cranes and freight transporters.

[0054] Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that a work platform 11 is arranged on a container top 9 of container 3. Working platform 11 optionally includes a non-slip floor 13 and a foldable railing 15, which is shown here in an unfolded state. In a folded state which is not shown here, railing 15 optionally rests against container top 9, wherein railing 15 in this folded state can optionally be attached to container top 9 in a transport-safe manner.

[0055] By folding in railing 15, the overall height of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 is reduced so that entire exhaust gas after-treatment device 1in particular after loading onto a truck trailerdoes not exceed maximum heights typical for road traffic. Thus, exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 can be transported by known truck trailers in normal road traffic. In particular, this avoids special or heavy transport measures and/or special permits for transportation.

[0056] With the exception of erected railing 15 the illustrated state of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is consistent with a transport state of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1. In particular, first opening 5 and second opening 7 are closed during transport of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1. In addition, in the transport state railing 15 is folded, in particular placed against working platform 11 and/or container top 9 and mounted thereto in a transport-safe manner.

[0057] FIG. 1 also shows several maintenance openings 17, here in particular four maintenance openings. Two of these maintenance openings, namely a front double door 19 and a side double door 21, are designed in such a way that the container can be accessed by maintenance personnel through these double doors. Furthermore, these large maintenance openings 17, in particular double doors 19, can also be used to remove and/or replace large components inside container 3, in particular for maintenance purposes.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 shown in FIG. 1 in a representation rotated clockwise by approx. 90? compared with FIG. 1, so that a second long side 25 opposite a first long side 23 shown in FIG. 1 can be seen here. Unlike in FIG. 1, second opening 7 is no longer closed in this illustration. Rather, exhaust gas stack 27 is mounted here at second opening 7, via which the after-treated exhaust gasesafter passing through the catalytic converter systemare emitted.

[0059] Exhaust stack 27 is further attached to a support frame 29. This increases the stability of exhaust stack 27. Furthermore, the assembly of exhaust stack 27 is thereby also simplified, in particular in that exhaust stack 27 and/or support frame 29 are attached to container 3, in particular container top 9, by way of at least one attachment structure, most particularly by way of a twist lock attachment.

[0060] In addition, manageability of exhaust stack 27 is improved in that exhaust stack 27 is firmly connected to support frame 29. Thus, exhaust stack 27 can be gripped and adjusted during assembly by way of support frame 29. In addition, since support frame 29 surrounds exhaust stack 27 in the circumferential direction, damage to exhaust stack 27 is avoided, particularly during assembly and transport.

[0061] FIG. 2 also shows additional maintenance openings 17, in particular a maintenance door 31, through which container 3 can be accessed by maintenance personnel and/or for controlling exhaust gas after-treatment device 1. Some of the maintenance openings 17 are designed as air-permeable ventilation openings 33even when closedfor ventilation of the interior space. Moreover, additional small ventilation openings 33 can be seen to the right of maintenance door 31 in FIG. 2.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a perspective sectional view of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1, with second long side 25 facing the viewer in FIG. 2 cut away. Thus it can be seen that rail arrangement 37 is located in an interior space 35 of container 3, on which a part of catalytic converter system 39, in this case specifically catalytic converter device 41, is arranged in a movable manner. Thus, at least part of catalytic converter system 39, in particular catalytic converter device 41, optionally the entire catalytic converter system 39, can be moved out of container 3 by rail arrangement 37 with little effort via double door 19 on the end face, simplifying maintenance of catalytic converter system 39.

[0063] The catalytic converter system shown in FIG. 3 optionally includes an SCR catalytic converter. Particularly optionally, the catalytic converter system also includes an oxidation catalytic converter and/or other catalytic converter types. This permits particularly comprehensive exhaust gas after-treatment, with the pollutants in the exhaust gas being largely degradable.

[0064] In contrast to the state of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 shown in FIG. 2, exhaust gas stack 27 in FIG. 3 is not mounted ready for operation at the second opening 7.

[0065] Instead, second opening 7 and first opening 5 are closedas is the case in the state shown in FIG. 1.

[0066] FIG. 3 further shows that catalytic converter device 41, which is fluidically arranged between first opening 5 and second opening 7, is fluidically connected to first opening 5 on the delivery side via a delivery path 43 and to second opening 7 on the discharge side via a discharge path. Exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 is therein designed and arranged to deliver an exhaust gas supplied via first opening 5 toin particular an external internal combustion engine of catalytic converter system 39, in particular to catalytic converter device 41, andafter a catalytic reaction for reducing pollutants in catalytic converter device 41to pass the after-treated exhaust gas on to second opening 7 via second flow path 45 and to eject it there, in particular via an exhaust gas stack 27 connected to second opening 7.

[0067] Catalytic converter system 39 optionally has a fresh air supply device 47, which is at least indirectly fluidically connected to catalytic converter device 41 via a first flow opening 48 of fresh air supply device 47. The supplied air is blown into delivery path 43 via a connecting duct 49. Fresh air supply device 47, which is herein designed in particular as a fresh air blower, is arranged and designed to receive fresh air from a fresh air source via a second flow opening 51. Fresh air source 53 is thus optionally provided by an environment of container 3, in particular the atmosphere.

[0068] The volume of fresh air supplied is optionally determined manually or automatically depending on an internal combustion engine which is connected to exhaust gas after-treatment device 1. Thus, exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 can be used in combination with a multitude of different internal combustion engines, whereby the various exhaust gases of the different internal combustion engines can be effectively after-treated and the pollutants contained therein can be reduced by setting a suitable amount of fresh air to be supplied.

[0069] Fresh air supply device 47 is arranged here in particular adjacent to a maintenance opening 17 which is designed as a ventilation opening 33 and is optionally fluidically connected to the latter. Thus fresh air can be drawn directly via fresh air supply device 47 from outside of container 3.

[0070] Interior space 35 of container 3 represented herein is divided in particular into two subspaces, namely a catalytic converter space 55 and a control room 57. The two spaces are essentially separated from one another by a partition wall, wherein a door 59 is arranged in the partition wall, as a result of which someone can alternate between catalytic converter space 55 and control room 57 without having to leave container 3. As a result, work safety is increased, and the noise exposure to personnel in control room 57 is reduced.

[0071] In addition, at least one reducing agent reservoir 61in this case particular two IBC containers which can be filled with a reducing agent, in particular filled IBC containersis arranged in interior space 35, in this case in control room 57. A urea solution is optionally used as reducing agent. This reducing agent reservoir 61 is connected to catalytic converter system 39 via a reducing agent supply line. For pressurized injection of the reducing agent, compressed air device 62 is also arranged in interior space 35 and is operatively connected to the reducing agent supply line.

[0072] As can also be seen in FIG. 4 in a top view of a section of interior space 35, in particular of control room 57 and a section of catalytic converter space 55, a compressed air reservoir 65 is arranged in catalytic converter space 55, wherein compressed air reservoir 65 is operatively connected to compressor 63 which is located in the control chamber in such a way that compressed air reservoir 65 can be acted upon by a pressure generated by compressor 63.

[0073] Compressed air device 62 is thereby operatively connected as a whole to the reducing agent supply lines in such a way that a reducing agent flowing through the reducing agent supply lines can be acted upon by compressed air and can thereby be injected into catalytic converter device 41 and/or delivery path 43.

[0074] For metering the reducing agent, a metering device 67 is also arranged in control room 57, which has at least one metering device 69 and a metering pump 71. Metering pump 71 is designed and arranged to pump reducing agent from reducing agent reservoir 61 and to supply it to metering unit 69 via a connection line 73.

[0075] In conjunction with a controller 75 arranged in control room 57, a metering volume can optionally be selecteddepending on the type of internal combustion engine that can be connected and is intended for connectionwhich is metered accordingly by metering device 69 and supplied, in particular under pressurization to delivery path 43 and/or to catalytic converter device 41 with the aid of compressed air device 62.

[0076] Both reducing agent reservoirs 61, which are designed in this case as IBC containers, are optionally dimensioned in such a way that two of these reducing agent reservoirs 61 can be arranged along a short side of container 3 to fit precisely into interior space 35, here in particular into control room 57. In this manner, the space in container 3 is used effectively and a large volume of reducing agent is provided.

[0077] Reducing agent reservoir 61 can be removed in its entirety from container 3 and/or can be refueled from outside of container 3 via a further maintenance opening, which is designed herein as an additional front end double door 77.

[0078] The reducing agent is optionally pumped out of a first IBC container of the two IBC containers by way of metering pump 71, wherein a second IBC container of the two IBC containers is fluidically connectable, and is in particular connected, to the first IBC container and functions as a reserve container. In this case, the second IBC container is optionally fluidically connected to the first IBC container via an attached refill pump and optionally a dispensing nozzle and is designed to refill the first IBC container as needed. This creates a largely continuous supply of reducing agent. In particular, reducing agent can thus also be refilled during operation of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1.

[0079] Overall, controller 75 is also designed and arranged to control catalytic converter system 39. This provides at least partially automated control of catalytic converter system 39. In particular, exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 can thereby be operated in conjunction with different types of internal combustion engines, wherein the exhaust gases of the different types of internal combustion engines can each be effectively after-treated by way of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a representation of a wall 83 of container 3 in which at least one axial fan 85, in this case in particular two axial fans 85, is/are arranged for controlling the temperature of interior space 35. Axial fans 85 are optionally designed and equipped to be frequency controlled. Thus, an appropriate temperature control of interior space 35, in particular of catalytic converter space 55, and/or a fresh air supply is always provided.

[0081] For clearer visibility of axial fans 5 and 80, catalytic converter system 39 is not shown in FIG. 5. This corresponds substantially to the view of catalytic converter space 55 after at least part of catalytic converter system 39 has been removed from the interior space 35, for example for maintenance purposes, in particular by way of rail arrangements 37.

[0082] This removal of catalytic converter system 39 or part of catalytic converter system 39, in particular of catalytic converter unit 41, can be carried out in the course of such maintenance work, in particular via large maintenance opening 17, in other words, front double door 19 shown on the left in FIG. 5.

[0083] Due to catalytic converter system 39, which is not shown, and in particular due to discharge path 45, which is not shown, an internal connecting pipe 87 of second opening 7 can also be seen in FIG. 5. This is arranged on the inside of second opening 7 and simplifies the assembly of discharge path 45 at second opening 7.

[0084] Compressed air device 62, in particular compressor 63, fresh air supply device 47 and/or axial fan 85 are optionally arranged in interior space 35 adjacent to one or more ventilation openings 33. In this way, the air requirement, in particular the fresh air requirement of these devices, can be covered in a reliable manner, wherein the design effort remains low.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a representation of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 in the operating state, wherein an exhaust gas outlet 89 of an internal combustion engine 91 is connected via a connecting element 93 to first opening 5 of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1. Moreover, in the operating state shown here, exhaust gas stack 27 is installed at second opening 7. As a result, the exhaust gas of internal combustion engine 91, which is an internal combustion engine 91 that is installed optionally for stationary use, can be after-treated in particular temporarily and inexpensively.

[0086] The illustrated design example of exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 is arranged in particular on trailer 95. Exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 is designed optionally as a trailer 95, especially a truck trailer. Thus, exhaust gas after-treatment device 1 is highly mobile and can be used flexibly.

[0087] To simplify installation, in particular of exhaust gas stack 27 and connecting element 93, trailer 95 has an assembly crane 97. Thus, after relocation to a new location, the exhaust gas after-treatment device can be quickly and easily put into operation and can in particular be connected to internal combustion engine 91.

[0088] While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.