METHOD FOR CLEANING A COMPONENT OF AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM AND AN EXHAUST SYSTEM

Abstract

A method is disclosed for cleaning a component of an exhaust aftertreatment system located downstream of a combustion engine in an exhaust flow path delimited by an outer wall. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a first device releasably mounted in the outer wall upstream of the component and a second device releasably mounted in the outer wall downstream of the component, each of the devices being a sensor or an injector. The method includes sealing the exhaust flow path upstream of the first device and downstream of the second device, removing at least the first and second devices, thereby providing at least two openings in the outer wall, so that a cleaning flow path is provided, and introducing cleaning fluid into at least one of the openings, so that the cleaning fluid flows across the component via the cleaning flow path.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning at least one component of an exhaust aftertreatment system, the exhaust aftertreatment system being located downstream of a combustion engine in an exhaust flow path delimited by an outer wall, the exhaust aftertreatment system comprising: at least two devices, wherein a first device of the at least two devices is releasably mounted in the outer wall upstream of the at least one component in the exhaust flow path and a second device of the at least two devices is releasably mounted in the outer wall downstream of the at least one component in the exhaust flow path, each of the at least two devices being a sensor or an injector, the method comprising: sealing the exhaust flow path upstream of the first device and downstream of the second device, removing at least the first and second devices, thereby providing at least two openings in the outer wall, so that a cleaning flow path of the exhaust aftertreatment system is provided, and introducing cleaning fluid into at least one of the at least two openings, so that the cleaning fluid flows across the at least one component via the cleaning flow path.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust aftertreatment system is positioned downstream of a turbocharger in the exhaust flow path, and wherein sealing the exhaust flow path comprises sealing the exhaust flow path at the turbocharger.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein sealing the exhaust flow path at the turbocharger comprises preventing rotation of a turbine of the turbocharger.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust aftertreatment system is positioned upstream of a tailpipe in the exhaust flow path, and wherein sealing the exhaust flow path comprises blocking the tailpipe.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a valve is further provided downstream of the second device in the exhaust flow path, and wherein sealing the exhaust flow path comprises closing the valve.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid comprises a cleaning gas, and/or wherein the cleaning fluid comprises compressed air, and/or wherein the cleaning fluid comprises a liquid.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein introducing cleaning fluid into at least one of the at least two openings comprises introducing cleaning fluid into only one of the at least two openings.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one component comprises at least a first component and a second component, the first component being located upstream of the second component in the exhaust flow path, and wherein the exhaust aftertreatment system further comprises a third device in the form of a sensor or an injector, the third device being releasably mounted in the outer wall between the first component and the second component, wherein the method further comprises: removing the third device, thereby providing at least three openings into the exhaust flow path.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising: introducing cleaning fluid into only the opening provided by removing the third device, such that the cleaning fluid flows in opposite directions across the first and second components, or simultaneously introducing cleaning fluid into at least two of the at least three openings.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust aftertreatment system comprises a particulate filter, such as a diesel particulate filter, and wherein both of the first and second devices are located upstream of the particulate filter in the exhaust flow path.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, subsequently to flowing cleaning fluid across the at least one component: remounting the removed devices in the outer wall, and re-opening the exhaust flow path.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein introducing cleaning fluid comprises connecting at least one tube or hose to at least one of the at least two openings, wherein the cleaning fluid is introduced via the at least one tube or hose.

13. An exhaust system of a combustion engine, the exhaust system comprising: an outer wall delimiting an exhaust flow path of the exhaust system, an exhaust aftertreatment system located within the exhaust flow path, comprising at least one component for treatment of exhaust gases, at least two devices wherein a first device of the at least two devices is releasably mounted in the outer wall upstream of the at least one component in the exhaust flow path and a second device of the at least two devices is releasably mounted in the outer wall downstream of the at least one component in the exhaust flow path, each of the at least two devices being a sensor or an injector, wherein the at least two devices are removable so as to form at least two openings in the outer wall, at least one of the at least two openings being configured for receiving a cleaning fluid, and at least another one of the two openings being configured for ejecting the cleaning fluid, so that a cleaning flow path of the exhaust aftertreatment system is provided, and means for sealing the exhaust flow path upstream of the first device and downstream of the second device.

14. The exhaust system according to claim 13, further comprising a turbocharger located upstream of the first device in the exhaust flow path, wherein the means for sealing the exhaust flow path comprises means for preventing rotation of a turbine of the turbocharger, and/or wherein the means for sealing the exhaust flow path comprises a valve provided downstream of the second device in the exhaust flow path.

15. A vehicle comprising a combustion engine and an exhaust system according to claim 13.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments cited as examples.

[0056] In the drawings:

[0057] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle,

[0058] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to a first aspect,

[0059] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exhaust system according to a first embodiment during normal operation,

[0060] FIG. 4 shows the exhaust system of FIG. 3 during cleaning, and

[0061] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an exhaust system according to a second embodiment during cleaning.

The drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0062] A vehicle 1 in the form of a truck is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle 1 includes an internal combustion engine (not shown) for propulsion of the vehicle 1, and an exhaust system 100; 200 for guiding and handling exhaust gases generated by the internal combustion engine.

[0063] An exhaust system 100 according to a first embodiment, which may be applied in the vehicle 1 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, showing the exhaust system 100 during operation of the vehicle. An outer wall 114 delimits an exhaust flow path 105 of the exhaust system 100, extending from the engine (not shown), via a turbine of a turbocharger 110, an exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) 120, and through a tailpipe 115 provided downstream of the EATS 120, via which exhaust is emitted. The EATS 120, located within the exhaust flow path 105, in the shown embodiment comprises three components 102, 103, 104 for treatment of exhaust gases. In the shown embodiment, the components 102, 103, 104 are a Diesel Oxidation catalyst (DOC) substrate 102, a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) substrate 103, and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) substrate 104, respectively. Furthermore, devices 106, 107 in the form of first and second temperature sensors 106, 107 are provided on either side of the DOC substrate 102. Another device 108 in the form of a urea injector 108 is provided between the DPF substrate 103 and the SCR substrate, for injecting urea upstream of the SCR substrate 104. The first and second temperature sensors 106, 107 are releasably mounted in the outer wall 114 of the exhaust system 1. The urea injector 108 may also be releasably mounted in the outer wall 114.

[0064] During operation of the combustion engine, the exhaust follows the exhaust flow path 105 through the EATS 120, via the components 102, 103, 104 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The temperature sensors 106, 107 continuously monitor the temperature within the exhaust system 100, and the urea injector 108 injects urea needed for catalytic conversion at the SCR substrate 104.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows the exhaust system 100 during cleaning of one component of the EATS 120, namely the DOC substrate 102, using a method according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, cleaning fluid in the form of compressed air is blown through a cleaning flow path 109, provided through a part of the EATS 120 by removing the first temperature sensor 106 and the second temperature sensor 107. The combustion engine (not shown) is turned off, and consequently no exhaust is generated.

[0066] A method for cleaning the DOC substrate 102 of the exhaust system 200 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an embodiment is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 2. The method comprises the following steps:

[0067] S1) Sealing the exhaust flow path 105 upstream of a first device 106, which is herein the first temperature sensor 106, and downstream of a second device 107, which is herein the second temperature sensor 107. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by locking the turbine of the turbocharger 110 for rotation using a turbine locking device (not shown), and by blocking the tailpipe 115 using a plug 117, respectively.

[0068] S2) Removing the first and second devices 106, 107, i.e. the first and second temperature sensors 106, 107, from the outer wall 114. Thereby, first and second openings 111, 112 are provided in the outer wall 114, so that a cleaning flow path 109 of the EATS 120 is provided across the component or components to be cleaned, herein only the DOC substrate 102.

[0069] The steps S1 and S2 are preparatory for cleaning and may be performed in any suitable order. Step S1 or S2 may be performed fully or in part prior to carrying out the other one of the steps S1 and S2, fully or in part.

[0070] S3) Introducing cleaning fluid into the first opening 111, so that the cleaning fluid flows across the component or components to be cleaned, herein the DOC substrate 102, via the cleaning flow path 109 and out via the second opening 112. This step is carried out subsequently to the steps S1 and S2, when the exhaust flow path 105 has been blocked and when the temperature sensors 106, 107 have been removed. In the present embodiment, the cleaning fluid is in the form of compressed air provided from a compressor 118, connected to the first opening 111 by means of a hose or tube (not shown). The compressed air may alternatively be introduced into the second opening 112 and ejected via the first opening 111.

[0071] Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, also the urea injector 108 may be releasably mounted and removable so as to provide a third opening (not shown) in the outer wall 114. This may be useful if it is desired to e.g. clean the DPF substrate 103. If only the DPF substrate 103 is to be cleaned, two openings may be provided by removing the second temperature sensor 107 and the urea injector 108, thereby providing a cleaning flow path across the DPF substrate 103. This may be performed independently, or in connection with cleaning of the DOC substrate 102, i.e. before or after cleaning of the DOC substrate 102.

[0072] If both the DPF substrate 103 and the DOC substrate 102 are to be cleaned simultaneously, a cleaning flow path may be provided across both of the components 102, 103 by e.g. removing the first temperature sensor 106 and the urea injector 108. In this case, the first temperature sensor 106 constitutes the first device provided upstream of the components 102, 103 to be cleaned, and the urea injector 108 constitutes the second device provided downstream of the components 102, 103 to be cleaned. Cleaning fluid may preferably be introduced through the first opening 111 provided by removing the first temperature sensor 106, and emitted through the third opening provided by removing the urea injector 108.

[0073] Both of the temperature sensors 106, 107 and the urea injector 108 may also be simultaneously removed, thereby providing a cleaning flow path with three openings. Cleaning fluid may preferably be introduced through the first opening 111, and emitted through the second opening 112 and the third opening provided by removing the urea injector 108.

[0074] The method according to an embodiment may also comprise the following steps, marked with dashed lines in FIG. 2, to prepare the exhaust system 100 for normal operation after cleaning:

[0075] S4) Remounting the removed devices in the outer wall 114, thereby closing the cleaning flow path 109. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the removed devices correspond to the temperature sensors 106, 107.

[0076] S5) Re-opening the exhaust flow path 105, in the present embodiment by unlocking the turbine such that it may rotate freely again, and by removing the plug 117 from the tailpipe 115.

[0077] All steps S1-S5 may be carried out with the components 102, 103, 104 mounted in the EATS 20, i.e. without removing any component prior to cleaning.

[0078] The method may be carried out for cleaning of components in a variety of differently configured EATSs, as long as the EATS comprises at least two releasably mounted devices in the form of at least one sensor and/or at least one injector, which may be removed to create a cleaning flow path across the component or components to be cleaned, and the EATS further comprises means for sealing the exhaust flow path upstream and downstream of the component(s), respectively.

[0079] An example of an exhaust system 200 according to a second embodiment in which the method may be applied is schematically shown in FIG. 5, showing the exhaust system 200 during cleaning. The exhaust system 200 herein comprises a turbine 210, an EATS 220 with first and second SCR substrates 202a, 202b, of which a first one 202a is mounted upstream and a second one 202b is mounted downstream of a DOC substrate 203 and a DPF substrate 204, and a tailpipe 215. A first temperature sensor 206 is releasably mounted in an outer wall 214 of the EATS 220, between the first SCR substrate 202a and the DOC substrate 203, and a second temperature sensor 207 is releasably mounted between the DOC substrate 203 and the DFP substrate 204. A first urea injector 208a is provided upstream of the first SCR substrate 202a and a second urea injector 208b is provided directly upstream of the second SCR substrate 202b. A valve 216 for sealing and opening the exhaust flow path (not shown) is provided in or directly upstream of the tailpipe 215. Alternatively, the valve 216 could be provided between the DPF substrate 204 and the SCR substrate 202b.

[0080] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first urea injector 208a and the temperature sensors 206, 207 are removable so as to create a cleaning flow path 209 across the first SCR substrate 202a and the DOC substrate 203. Thus, the first SCR substrate 202a constitutes a first component 202a to be cleaned and the DOC substrate 203 constitutes a second component 203 to be cleaned. The first urea injector 208a provided upstream of the first component 202a in the exhaust flow path thus constitutes a first device 208a, the second temperature sensor 207 provided downstream of the second component 203 constitutes a second device 207, and the first temperature sensor 206 provided between the components 202a, 203 constitutes a third device 206. Hence, three openings 212, 213, 211 are provided by removing the devices 206, 207 and 208a, respectively. A compressor or cleaning fluid tank 218 is connected to the opening 212 provided by removing the third device 207, and the remaining two openings 211, 213 are used for ejecting the cleaning fluid, such that the cleaning fluid flows in opposite directions across the first and second components 202a, 203. In alternative embodiments, cleaning fluid may be introduced via the opening 211 or 213 and ejected through one or both of the other openings.

[0081] Of course, also the second urea injector 208b may be releasably mounted, although it is envisaged that the need for cleaning the DPF substrate 204 is smaller than the need for cleaning the components upstream of the DPF substrate 204 in the exhaust flow path.

[0082] In other configurations of the type of EATS 220 shown in the second embodiment, comprising two SCR substrates connected in series within the exhaust flow path, the EATS may comprise a single Pt/Pd DPF component instead of separate DPF and DOC substrates, or it may comprise an integrated DOC-DPF component located between the two SCR substrates.

[0083] It is to be understood that the present inventive concepts are not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. For example, any suitable devices such as a sensors and/or injectors mounted in the outer wall of an EATS may be used for injection and/or emission of cleaning fluid. Moreover, the EATS may have many different configurations, with components that may be cleaned using cleaning fluid mounted in different orders and numbers. Features from the first and second embodiments may be combined, e.g. may the valve 216 be exchanged for the plug 117 and vice versa. Furthermore, the EATS may in some embodiments comprise a combined SCR and DPF component located between a DOC substrate and an SCR substrate in the exhaust flow path.