Mixer device

Abstract

A mixer device for introducing and distributing a liquid into a gas flow comprises a mixing chamber which can be flowed through by the gas flow, an overflow pipe which is arranged at least partly in the mixing chamber and which has a jacket surface and a first and a second pipe end, and at least one injector associated with the first pipe end of the overflow pipe to inject the liquid into the overflow pipe. The jacket surface of the overflow pipe has at least one inflow opening through which gas can flow from the mixing chamber into the overflow pipe for a subsequent mixing with the injected fluid. The overflow pipe is configured such that inflowing gas in its interior can have two swirl components of opposite senses imparted onto it.

Claims

1. A mixer device for introducing and distributing a liquid into a gas flow, the mixer device comprising a mixing chamber that can be flowed through by the gas flow; an overflow pipe that is at least partly arranged in the mixing chamber and that has a jacket surface and a first and second pipe end; and at least one injector associated with the first pipe end of the overflow pipe for injecting the liquid into the overflow pipe, wherein the jacket surface of the overflow pipe has at least one inflow opening through which gas can flow from the mixing chamber into the overflow pipe for a subsequent mixing with the injected liquid; wherein the overflow pipe is configured such that inflowing gas flowing in its interior can have two swirl components of opposite senses imparted onto it; wherein the overflow pipe has two inner wall sections generating different swirls, the two inner wall sections being configured to generate and/or to amplify the swirl components of opposite senses; wherein the two inner wall sections generating different swirls are formed by lateral regions of a concavity projecting into the overflow pipe; and wherein at least one guide vane is arranged at the at least one inflow opening of the overflow pipe and imparts a tangential flow component onto the gas flowing into the overflow pipe.

2. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an injection region defined by the at least one injector is located at least partially within the overflow pipe.

3. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a gas inlet of the mixer device is associated with the mixing chamber.

4. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second pipe end of the overflow pipe is a gas outlet of the mixer device.

5. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the overflow pipe at least sectionally has a kidney-shaped cross-section and/or a cross-section in the form of an eight lying on its side to generate and/or to amplify the swirl components of opposite senses.

6. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one guide vane is formed in one piece with the overflow pipe.

7. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of an alignment, a curvature, or a surface of the at least one guide vane varies viewed in an axial direction of the overflow pipe.

8. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the jacket surface of the overflow pipe has at least two inflow openings having respective guide vanes, with the guide vanes imparting tangential flow components differing direction-wise onto the gas flowing into the overflow pipe to generate and/or to amplify the swirl components of opposite senses.

9. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the overflow pipe has an oval or rounded-edge cross-section at least sectionally.

10. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape and/or a cross-sectional surface of the overflow pipe and/or of the mixing chamber varies viewed in an axial direction of the overflow pipe.

11. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein size of the at least one inflow opening varies in an axial direction.

12. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one flow guidance element is arranged at an inner side of the jacket surface and extends in at least one of an axial direction and a peripheral direction of the overflow pipe.

13. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first pipe end of an outflow pipe is connected to an inner wall of the mixing chamber in a gas-tight manner.

14. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first pipe end of the overflow pipe has a widened portion.

15. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber and/or the overflow pipe opens/open into an intermediate pipe in which at least one discontinuity element impeding or blocking the flow sectionally is arranged.

16. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior of the overflow pipe is divided at least sectionally into at least two separate flow regions, in which two swirl components of opposite senses can be respectively imparted onto the inflowing gas to generate and/or to amplify at least four different swirl components.

17. The mixer device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the flow regions are separated from one another by at least one wall element arranged in the overflow pipe and extending along an axial section thereof.

18. The mixer device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the wall element is formed as a planar plate.

19. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first pipe end of the overflow pipe is at least sectionally spaced apart from an inner wall of the mixing chamber.

20. The mixer device in accordance with claim 19, wherein the first pipe end of the overflow pipe is surrounded at least sectionally by a sleeve that is provided with at least one opening.

21. The mixer device in accordance with claim 20, wherein a metal separation sheet extending in a radial direction is provided in the region of the first pipe end of the overflow pipe to separate an onflow region of the sleeve from an onflow region of a remaining overflow pipe.

22. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a gas inlet of the mixer device defines an inflow direction extending at a right angle or obliquely to a center axis of the overflow pipe.

23. The mixer device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the jacket surface of the overflow pipe has a section onto which a gas flow flowing in through the gas inlet can flow directly.

24. The mixer device in accordance with claim 23, wherein the jacket surface of the overflow pipe has at least two inflow openings to generate and/or to amplify the swirl components of opposite senses.

25. The mixer device in accordance with claim 24, wherein the inflow openings are arranged laterally offset with respect to a main flow direction defined by the gas inlet of the mixer device and/or are arranged oppositely disposed with respect to a center plane of the overflow pipe.

26. The mixer device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an arrangement of a plurality of guide elements extending transversely to a center axis of the overflow pipe is arranged in the region of the at least one inflow opening of the overflow pipe.

27. The mixer device in accordance with claim 26, wherein the region is remote from a gas inlet of the mixer device.

28. The mixer device in accordance with claim 26, wherein the guide elements are formed by folded-out wall sections of a pipe element.

29. The mixer device in accordance with claim 26, wherein the guide elements project through the at least one inflow opening into the overflow pipe.

30. The mixer device in accordance with claim 26, wherein at least one of the guide elements has at least one cut-out.

31. The mixer device in accordance with claim 30, wherein a border of at least one of the cut-outs has a sleeve section extending in an axial direction.

32. An exhaust gas system comprising: a first exhaust gas treatment device, and a second exhaust gas treatment device, arranged downstream of the first exhaust gas treatment device, wherein a mixer device is arranged between the two exhaust gas treatment devices in a flow direction of the exhaust gas, the mixer device comprising: a mixing chamber that can be flowed through by the gas flow; an overflow pipe that is at least partly arranged in the mixing chamber and that has a jacket surface and a first and second pipe end; and at least one injector associated with the first pipe end of the overflow pipe for injecting a liquid into the overflow pipe, wherein the jacket surface of the overflow pipe has at least one inflow opening through which gas can flow from the mixing chamber into the overflow pipe for a subsequent mixing with the injected liquid; wherein the overflow pipe is configured such that inflowing gas flowing in its interior can have two swirl components of opposite senses imparted onto it; wherein the overflow pipe has two inner wall sections generating different swirls, the two inner wall sections being configured to generate and/or to amplify the swirl components of opposite senses; wherein the two inner wall sections generating different swirls are formed by lateral regions of a concavity projecting into the overflow pipe; and wherein at least one guide vane is arranged at the at least one inflow opening of the overflow pipe and imparts a tangential flow component onto the gas flowing into the overflow pipe.

33. The exhaust gas system in accordance with claim 32, wherein the mixer device is arranged and configured such that the overflow pipe is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first exhaust gas treatment device.

34. The exhaust gas system in accordance with claim 32, wherein the mixer device is arranged and configured such that the overflow pipe is arranged obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the first exhaust gas treatment device.

35. The exhaust gas system in accordance with claim 34, wherein a terminal element is provided that comprises a wall that extends between the jacket surface of the overflow pipe and an inner wall of the mixing chamber and that forces the gas moving from the first exhaust gas treatment device into the mixer device at least partially through the overflow pipe.

Description

(1) The invention will be described in the following by way of example with reference to the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a mixer device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in a side view;

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mixer device in accordance with FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cut-open perspective representation of a further embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a partly transparent perspective representation of a further embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a partly transparent perspective representation of a further embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 5 from the gas outlet side;

(8) FIG. 7 is a non-transparent perspective representation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 8 shows the overflow pipe of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 is a partly transparent perspective representation of a further embodiment of the invention;

(11) FIG. 10 is a non-transparent perspective representation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 shows an overflow pipe of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

(13) FIG. 12 shows different views of a further embodiment of the invention;

(14) FIG. 13 shows different views of a further embodiment of the invention;

(15) FIG. 14 shows different variants of an exhaust tract into which a mixer device in accordance with the invention is integrated;

(16) FIG. 15 is a side view of a mixer device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

(17) FIG. 16 shows different views of an overflow pipe of the mixer device shown in FIG. 15;

(18) FIG. 17 shows a further view of the overflow pipe shown in FIG. 16;

(19) FIG. 18 shows a further view of the overflow pipe shown in FIG. 16;

(20) FIG. 19 shows a further view of the overflow pipe shown in FIG. 16;

(21) FIG. 20 shows a mixer device in accordance with the invention with an axial injection cone;

(22) FIG. 21 shows a mixer device in accordance with the invention with an oblique injection cone;

(23) FIG. 22 is a side view of a further embodiment of the invention;

(24) FIG. 23 shows the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 22 obliquely from the rear;

(25) FIG. 24 shows different views of a further embodiment of the invention;

(26) FIG. 25 is a transparent perspective representation of a further embodiment of the invention;

(27) FIG. 26 is a side view of a further embodiment of the invention;

(28) FIG. 27 shows exemplary cross-sectional shapes of an overflow pipe of a mixer device in accordance with the invention;

(29) FIG. 28 is a side view of a further embodiment of the invention;

(30) FIG. 29 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a mixer device in accordance with the invention that comprises an overflow pipe that is configured to generate four different swirl components;

(31) FIG. 30 is a partly transparent side view of the mixer device shown in FIG. 29;

(32) FIG. 31 is a partly transparent plan view of the mixer device shown in FIG. 29;

(33) FIG. 32 shows the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 31 obliquely from below;

(34) FIG. 33 is a further sectional view of the mixer device shown in FIG. 29;

(35) FIG. 34 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a mixer device in accordance with the invention that is designed in a similar manner to the mixer device in accordance with FIG. 29, but has a modified wall element to separate flow regions;

(36) FIG. 35 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a mixer device in accordance with the invention that has a wall element having bulges;

(37) FIG. 36 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a mixer device in accordance with the invention that has guide plates having sleeve-like sections (passages);

(38) FIG. 37 is a longitudinal section of a pipe element that is provided for arrangement in a mixer device in accordance with the invention;

(39) FIG. 38 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of a mixer device in accordance with the invention; and

(40) FIG. 39 shows a cross-section through an intermediate pipe of a mixer device in accordance with the invention.

(41) In accordance with the invention, a mixer device 13, 13 is provided that is integrated into an exhaust tract 10 that has at least one exhaust gas treatment device 12, 12 (see e.g. FIGS. 1 and 2 or 3 and 4). The mixer devices 13, 13 each comprise a chamber 14 in which an overflow pipe 16 is arranged. A reductant is sprayed (spray cone 19, see e.g. FIG. 3) into the overflow pipe 16 in the axial directionin particular axially centrallywith the aid of an injector 18. Its surface is comparatively hot since it is flowed around by exhaust gas from the outside. Reductant that comes into contact with it is therefore vaporized at its surface.

(42) The exhaust gas (exhaust gas flow A) flowing into the chamber 14 and around the pipe 16 cannot flow directly onto the spray cone 19 in the embodiment shown. The overflow pipe 16 has openings 20 through which the exhaust gas can flow laterally into the pipe 16. I.e. the openings 20 enable an entry of the gas in the radial direction.

(43) Guide vanes 22 are preferablybut not absolutely necessarilyprovided that impart a tangential flow component onto the exhaust gas flowing into the pipe 16 (see flows B), for example by a curved shape of the vanes 22. I.e. it is prevented through this measure that a purely radial exhaust gas flow flows into the pipe 16 through the opening 20 provided with a guide vane 22. The vanes 22 are, for example, formed in one piece with the pipe 16.

(44) With the mixer device 13 in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of parallel and substantially planar plates 24 are arranged in the upper opening 22 that project into the interior of the pipe 16. The flow-guiding plates 24 formfiguratively speakinga kind of venetian blind. In part, the plates 24in particular the plates 24 facing the injector 18are partly directly impacted by the cone 19 so that a vaporization of reductant droplets can also take place at the respective plate surface here. This effect can be influenced or avoided as required by a suitable positioning and shape of the plates 24.

(45) Flow guide elements arranged independently of the openings 20 can also be provided. In the mixer device 13, they are sections 26, 26 curved in arc shape or wave shape at the upper side or lower side of the pipe 16 (the sections 26, 26 can also be separate inserts). The sections 26, 26figuratively speakingprovide the otherwise approximately oval-shaped pipe 16 at least sectionally a shape of an 8 lying on its side in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe 16. They support the formation of oppositely directed swirl flows C of the exhaust gas in the interior of the pipe 16 that result in a particularly homogeneous distribution of the reductant sprayed in.

(46) In the described mixer devices 13, 13, the respective chamber 14 has an inlet opening 28 that enables a lateral onflow of the overflow pipe 16. In this respect, the geometry of the opening 28 corresponds to that of the exhaust gas treatment device 12 (e.g. an oxidation catalyst) to be able to position it close to the chamber 14. An outlet opening 30 of the chamber 14 is arranged coaxially to the pipe 16. It is connected to the device 12 (e.g. a reductant catalyst) via an intermediate pipe 11.

(47) FIG. 5 shows the mixer device 13 with a chamber 14 shown partly transparent. The pipe 16 is formed in one piece. A downstream end 30 of the pipe 16 fits exactly into the opening 30 of the chamber 14 so that substantially the entire exhaust gas has to flow through the pipe 16 before it can leave the chamber 14. A bypass can, however, be provided as required.

(48) A downstream end 30 is connected to the wall of the chamber 14 in a substantially gas-tight manner so that the cone 19 cannot be flowed onto directly by the exhaust gas. A bypass can, however, be provided as required (see e.g. FIG. 9).

(49) FIG. 6 enables an axial view through the opening 30 into the pipe 16, whereby it can be recognized that the vanes 22 are curved elements cut out of the wall of the pipe 16 and folded inwardly.

(50) FIG. 7 shows the device 13 with a non-transparent chamber 14.

(51) FIG. 8 shows the pipe 16 alone.

(52) FIG. 9 shows the mixer device 13 with a chamber 14 shown partly transparent. The pipe 16 is not formed in one piece since the separately formed plates 24 are inserted into the upper opening 20. The plates 24 can also not be arranged equidistant from one another and/or obliquely.

(53) The downstream end 30 of the pipe 16 fitsas in the device 13exactly into the opening 30 of the chamber 14 so that substantially the entire exhaust gas has to flow through the pipe 16 before it can leave the chamber 14. A bypass can, however, be provided as required.

(54) The upstream end 30 is not connected to the wall of the chamber 14 in a gas-tight manner since clearances 32 are provided.

(55) FIG. 10 shows the device 13 with a non-transparent chamber 14.

(56) FIG. 11 shows the pipe 16 alone. It can therefore easily be recognized that the vanes 22 are here only stump-like noses that each have a short planar section 34 that projects into the pipe interior obliquely to a radial direction. It is understood that different vane geometries can be used to obtain the desired flow in the pipe 16. This also means that additional flow guide means can be provided or can be omitted (e.g. the pipe 16 of the device 13 has no sections 26, 26).

(57) FIGS. 12 and 13 each show a plurality of line drawings of the mixer device 13 and 13 respectively in different views and sections.

(58) It must be pointed out that the individual measures described with reference to the devices 13, 13 can be combined as required. It is thus conceivable, for example, to implement the idea venetian blind and swirl-generating components (e.g. curved vanes 22 and section 26) in an overflow pipe.

(59) In accordance with the invention, a concept has been developed (described by way of example with reference to the devices 13, 13) in which a high dwell time of the spray metered in can be achieved by an axially central metering of a reductant into an overflow pipe arranged in a chamber. Openings are provided through which the gas can enter into the pipe in a radial directionpossibly directed by flow guide meansbefore it is impacted by/mixed with reductant.

(60) A double swirl that can be set as required can be generated by vanes folded out of the pipe by the overflow pipe in accordance with an embodiment (e.g. a device 13). This swirl is formed in the region of the overflow pipe and can be used both to generate turbulence and as a drop separator. The pipe flowed around at both sides and the vanes can be used as a vaporization surface by the arrangement.

(61) FIG. 14 shows different examples of how the reductant catalyst 12 can be arranged relative to the mixer device 13. The oxidation catalyst 12 is arranged at a right angle to the overflow pipe 16 in all the examples.

(62) In the embodiment of a mixer device 13 in accordance with the invention shown in FIG. 15, the overflow pipe 16 has a trumpet-like shape and is arranged obliquely to a longitudinal axis L of the exhaust gas treatment devices 12, 12. A terminal element 40 extends between a jacket surface 45 of the overflow pipe 16 and an inner wall 46 of the chamber 14. The gas moving from the oxidation catalyst 12 into the mixer device 13 is thereby forced to flow substantially completely through the overflow pipe 16.

(63) The trumpet-like overflow pipe 16 is shown individually in FIGS. 16-19. It can be recognized that spiral or helical flow guide elements 47 are arranged at the inner side of the jacket surface 45. They have a swirl-amplifying effect and in particular generate an axial swirl component. The jacket surface 45 has lateral openings 20, 20. One of the openings 20 widens in the axial direction, whereas the other opening 20 narrows in the axial direction (FIG. 17).

(64) FIGS. 18 and 19 in particular allow it to be recognized that an onflow section 48 that is set back into the interior of the pipe 16 is provided in the region of the opening 20. Said onflow section is flowed onto directly by the exhaust gas and deflects it into gaps 20a, whereby it moves into the interior of the pipe 16. The gaps 20a are thus not flowed onto by exhaust gas frontally or directly. The arrangement and configuration of the gaps 20a assist the swirl formation of the exhaust gas in the overflow pipe 16.

(65) The concavity 49 recognizable in the lower part of FIG. 18 and projecting into the overflow pipe 16 likewise has a swirl-amplifying effect. As can in particular be recognized in FIG. 19, an expanded section in the form of a flare 50 is located at the narrowed end of the trumpet-shaped overflow pipe 16.

(66) The injector 18 canas shown in FIG. 20be arranged such that the spray cone 19 extends in parallel with the longitudinal extent of the overflow pipe 16. Alternatively, the injector 18 can alsoas shown in FIG. 21be arranged such that the spray cone 19 extends obliquely to the longitudinal extent of the overflow pipe 16. The injector 18 can additionally generate a wide spray cone 19 (FIG. 20) or a narrow spray cone 19 (FIG. 21) depending on the configuration and the demand.

(67) In the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 22 and 23, a sleeve 55 is provided that is provided with holes 54, that surrounds the region of the upstream pipe end 30 of the overflow pipe 16, and that forms a restrictor element to homogenize the gas pressure. A uniform flushing behind of the nozzle of the injector 18 is thereby effected, whereby the formation of disadvantageous deposits is prevented. A flare 50 is also provided at the upstream pipe end 30 of the overflow pipe 16 in the variant shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. It is surrounded by the sleeve 55 here. A radially extending metal separation sheet 57 that separates an onflow region of the sleeve 55 from an onflow region of the remaining overflow pipe 16 is located beside the sleeve 55.

(68) Curved plates 64as shown in FIG. 24can also be provided instead of the planar plates 24. They canas shown in the upper part of FIG. 24be curved in the injection direction oras shown in the lower part of FIG. 24 against the injection direction. Both plates curved in the injection direction and plates 64 curved against the injection direction can be provided. The plates 64 can furthermore also have a radial curvature component.

(69) An embodiment having planar plate 74 that are provided with cut-outs 75 at their lower margins to optimize the swirl generation and to avoid a film formation is shown in FIG. 25. The shape and size of the cut-outs 75 can be adapted to the respective application. Provision can also be made that only some of the plates 74 are provided with cut-outs.

(70) The plates 24 can also be of different sizes and can accordingly project into the overflow pipe 16 up to different distances. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 26.

(71) Depending on the construction space restrictions, on the shape of the stray cone 19, 19, and on the flow conditions, the cross-sectional shape of the overflow pipe 16, 16 can be selected differently, for example round, oval, rounded or in the form of an eight lying on its side. Combinations or modifications of the shapes can also be of advantage in specific applications. I.e. the cross-section geometry of the pipe 16 can vary in the axial direction. Two embodiments are shown in FIG. 27.

(72) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 28, the overflow pipe 16 is trumpet-shaped viewed in the injection direction A tulip-shaped widening could also be provided.

(73) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29-33, a wall element 85 in the form of a planar sheet metal plate is arranged in the overflow pipe 16. The wall element 85 extends in the axial direction and divides the interior of the overflow pipe 16 into two separate flow regions 81, 82. As can be recognized in FIG. 29, the exhaust gas flowing laterally through the openings 20 into the overflow pipe 16 is divided by the wall element 85 into two respective part flows B (into a respective upper and lower part flow B in the drawing) onto which a swirl of opposite senses is imparted. The two part flows B of the respective flow region 81, 82 likewise have swirl components of opposite senses. Four different swirl components are therefore formed in total in the overflow pipe 16. Respective adjacent swirl flows C are of opposite senses. The swirl formation is supported by the curved guide vanes 22.

(74) It can be recognized in FIG. 30 that the wall element 85 passes through an arrangement of planar plates 84. The plates 84 extend through the overflow pipe 16 and projectas can be recognized in FIG. 31from it at both sides. Some of the plates 84 are provided with central cut-outs 90, as can be seen from FIGS. 32 and 33. The surface of the cut-outs 90 that are substantially circular or hole-like in the present example (other shapes are conceivable, e.g. oval shapes) decreases as the spacing from the injector 18 increases. The plate 84 arranged furthest away from the injector 18 has no cut-out 90.

(75) The wall element 85 is furthermore provided with an open slit 93 that is conical here and that follows the margins of the cut-outs 90.

(76) The separation of the two flow regions 81, 82 does not necessarily have to have a large area. It can be sufficient to separate the flow regions 81, 82 only within a small region or within a plurality of small regions by a wall element 85, as is shown in FIG. 34. The wall element 85 can have a cut-out or can be formed by separate elements.

(77) As shown in FIG. 35, a wall element 85 for separating the flow regions 81, 82 can furthermore be provided that has bulges 96 for a flow optimization. Curved sections are likewise conceivable. The bulges 96 support the inflow of the gas into the pipe 16 and the swirl formation.

(78) A further special feature, that can be realized independently of the wall element 85, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 35 is that the mixing chamber 14 does not completely surround the overflow pipe 16. The upper section of the overflow pipe 16 in the drawing is rather led out of the mixing chamber 14. The upper section of the overflow pipe 16 can thus form a section of an outer wall of the mixer device.

(79) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 36, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 32, plates 84 having cut-outs 90 are provided. As shown, the borders of the cut-outs 90 here, however, have respective axial passages 97 (sleeve-like sections) that protect the injection cone. The diameters of the cut-outs 90 decrease as the spacing from the injector increases. The injection cone is thus successively peeled off, i.e. a respective outer part of the cone impacts the plates 84 positioned at an angle and is vaporized there or bounces off there and undergoes a secondary atomization.

(80) The plates 84 can also be folded-out wall sections of a pipe element 98. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 37.

(81) It is generally sufficient to provide the overflow pipe 16, as shown in FIG. 38, with only one single opening 20 through which the gas can flow in. The jacket surface 45 of the pipe 16 is shaped in this respect such that a double swirl effect automatically takes place.

(82) FIG. 39 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a discontinuity element 95 is arranged in the intermediate pipe 11. It impedes the flow section-wise. The discontinuity element 95 is designed here as a planar metal sheet that extends transversely to the flow direction, but with this not being compulsory. It is of T shape by way of example. As can be recognized with reference to the flow pattern indicated by arrows, the crosspiece of the discontinuity element 95 is located in a zone of the intermediate pipe 11 in which a rather calmer flow behavior of the gas is present. The element 95 forces the flowing gas here into more turbulent regions, whereby the homogenization of the gas flow is improved.

(83) The concept in accordance with the invention inter alia has the following advantages: A very uniform inflow of the exhaust gase.g. coming from the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)into the overflow pipe can be achieved by the arrangement with a low counter-pressure. A very high uniform gas distribution into the intermediate pipe to a downstream filter can already hereby be achieved. It proves to be advantageous if the overflow pipe has a comparatively large volume, which is in particular achieved by an ovalization of its cross-section. The cone of the injected spray can be widened by the generated swirl (e.g. at the device 13) and the region acted on by the reductant can thus be increased. An additional vaporization structure can be simplified or omitted due to the high degree of vaporization in the overflow pipe, which results in a further counter-pressure reduction. Both the forming swirl and the vaporization can be further increased by a special embodiment having additional elements (venetian blinds, see e.g. device 13).

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

(84) 10 exhaust tract 11 intermediate pipe 12, 12 exhaust gas treatment device 13, 13, 13 mixer device 14, 14 chamber 16, 16, 16 overflow pipe 18 injector 19, 19 spray cone 20, 20, 20 opening 20a gap 22 guide vane 24 planar plate 26, 26 section 28 opening 30 outlet opening 30 downstream end 30 upstream end 32 clearance 34 planar section 40 terminal element 45 jacket surface 46 inner wall 47 flow guide element 48 onflow section 49 concavity 50 flare 54 hole 55 sleeve 57 metal separation sheet 64 curved plate 74 planar plate 75 cut-out 81, 82 flow region 84 planar plate 85, 85, 85 wall element 90 cut-out 93 open slit 95 discontinuity element 96 bulge 97 passage 98 pipe element A exhaust gas flow B flow C swirl flow L longitudinal axis