Particle filter assembly and method for cleaning a particle filter

Abstract

Engine exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, the engine exhaust system comprising an exhaust conduit (14) connected to an engine (30), an exhaust gas return conduit (32,33) such that at least a part of the exhaust gas can be returned to the engine. The exhaust gas return conduit, at least along a part of its length, is formed with at least two flow paths (48,49). The engine exhaust system further comprises a particle filter arranged in each of the at least two flow paths and at least one cold flame vaporizer (11) in which fuel is partially oxidized in preheated air to form a cold flame gas. The at least one cold flame vaporizer is arranged in fluid communication with all the flow paths such that the cold flame gas can flow through the particle filters, whereby the cold flame gas can be used to regenerate the particle filter in at least one of the exhaust flow paths while, simultaneously, exhaust gas can flow through the other exhaust flow path or exhaust flow paths. A method for the cleaning of a particle filter is also provided.

Claims

1. Particle filter apparatus comprising a particle filter which is arranged in an exhaust gas conduit of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust gas, containing particulate matter and soot, is cleaned when passing through the particle filter, the particle filter apparatus further comprising a cold flame vaporizer in which fuel is partially oxidized in preheated air to form a cold flame gas, wherein 2-20% of the calorific value of the fuel is released, the cold flame vaporizer being arranged in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit such that the cold flame gas can flow through the particle filter, thereby removing deposits of soot which has accumulated in the particle filter.

2. Particle filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle filter apparatus is provided with one or more valve means which controls the flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust gas conduit.

3. Particle filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle filter apparatus is provided with valve means which controls the flow of cold flame gas from the cold flame vaporizer into the exhaust gas conduit and through the particle filter.

4. Particle filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cold flame vaporizer is arranged outside the exhaust flow conduit and, connected to the exhaust gas conduit with fluid lines.

5. Particle filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cold flame vaporizer is arranged inside the exhaust gas conduit.

6. Particle filter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle filter apparatus comprises a fuel supply which is arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer.

7. Particle filter apparatus according claim 1, wherein the particle filter apparatus comprises an air supply and a heat exchanger for preheating the air, the air supply being in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer.

8. Particle filter apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the particle filter apparatus comprises one or more valve means controlling the flow of fuel and preheated air to the cold flame vaporizer.

9. Particle filter apparatus according claim 1, wherein the particle filter apparatus comprises an air supply and an electrical heater for preheating the air, the air supply being in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer.

10. Particle filter apparatus according claim 1, wherein only a fraction of oxygen in the air is used in the partial oxidization forming the cold flame gas.

11. Particle filter apparatus according claim 1, wherein the temperature of the cold flame gas is about 450° C.

12. Engine exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, the engine exhaust system comprising an exhaust conduit connected to the engine, an exhaust gas return conduit such that at least a part of the exhaust gas can be returned to the engine, the exhaust gas return conduit, at least along a part of its length, being formed with at least two flow paths, the engine exhaust system further comprising a particle filter arranged in each of the at least two flow paths, the engine exhaust system further comprising at least one cold flame vaporizer in which fuel is partially oxidized in preheated air to form a cold flame gas, wherein 2-20% of the calorific value of the fuel is released, the at least one cold flame vaporizer being arranged in fluid communication with all the flow paths such that the cold flame gas can flow through the particle filters, whereby the cold flame gas can be used to regenerate the particle filter in at least one of the exhaust flow paths while, simultaneously, exhaust gas can flow through the other exhaust flow path or exhaust flow paths.

13. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the flow paths are formed by providing the exhaust gas return conduit with one or more partitions, at least along a part of its length, such that two or more separate flow paths for the exhaust gas are formed in the exhaust conduit section.

14. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the flow paths are formed by providing the exhaust gas return conduit with at least two separate conduits through which the exhaust gas can flow.

15. Engine exhaust system according to one of the claims 12-14, wherein the engine exhaust system is provided with one or more valve means which controls the flow of exhaust gas through the flow paths of the exhaust gas return conduit.

16. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the engine exhaust system is provided with one or more valve means controlling the flow of cold flame gas from the at least one cold flame vaporizer to the exhaust gas return conduit and the particle filters in the flow paths.

17. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one cold flame vaporizer is arranged outside the flow paths of the exhaust gas return conduit and, if necessary, connected to the flow paths with fluid lines.

18. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one cold flame vaporizer is arranged inside the flow paths of the exhaust gas return conduit.

19. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein the engine exhaust system comprises a fuel supply which is arranged in fluid communication with the at least one cold flame vaporizer, and valve means controlling the flow of fuel to the at least one cold flame vaporizer.

20. Engine exhaust system according claim 12, wherein the engine exhaust system comprises an air supply and means for preheating the air, the air supply being arranged in fluid communication with the at least one cold flame vaporizer, and valve means controlling the flow of preheated air to the at least one cold flame vaporizer.

21. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, wherein only a fraction of oxygen in the air is used in the partial oxidization forming the cold flame gas.

22. Engine exhaust system according to claim 12, the temperature of the cold flame gas is about 450° C.

23. Method for cleaning a particle filter with deposits of particulate matter and soot originating from an exhaust gas, the filter being arranged in an exhaust conduit, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a cold flame gas, wherein 2-20% of the calorific value of the fuel is released, and letting the cold flame gas flow through the particle filter, whereby the soot is removed from the particle filter.

24. Method according to claim 23, wherein the method comprises the step of providing one or more valve means for controlling the flow of cold flame gas from a cold flame vaporizer, in which the fuel is partially oxidized in preheated air to form the cold flame gas, into the exhaust conduit.

25. Method according the to claim 24, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a fuel supply arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer, and an air supply and a heat exchanger for the preheating of the air, the air supply being arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer.

26. Method according to claim 25, wherein the method comprises the step of providing one or more valve means for controlling the flow of fuel and preheated air to the cold flame vaporizer.

27. Method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a fuel supply arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer, and an air supply and an electrical heater for the preheating of the air, the air supply being arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer.

28. Method according to claim 23, wherein only a fraction of oxygen in the air is used in the partial oxidization forming the cold flame gas.

29. Method according to claim 23, wherein the temperature of the cold flame gas is about 450° C.

30. Method for cleaning a particle filter arranged in an exhaust gas return system of an internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas return system comprising an exhaust gas return conduit which, at least along a part of its length, is formed with at least two flow paths, the at least two flow paths each being provided with a particle filter for the removal of particulate matter and soot in the exhaust gas, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a cold flame gas, wherein 2-20% of the calorific value of the fuel is released, letting the cold flame gas flow through the particle filter in at least one of the flow paths of the exhaust gas return conduit, thereby regenerating the particle filter by removing deposited soot.

31. Method according to claim 30, wherein the method comprises the step of providing one or more valve means for separately controlling the flow of cold flame gas from a cold flame vaporizer, in which fuel is partially oxidized in preheated air, into each flow path of the exhaust gas conduit.

32. Method according to claim 31, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a fuel supply arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer, and an air supply and heating means for the preheating of the air, the air supply being arranged in fluid communication with the cold flame vaporizer.

33. Method according to claim 32, wherein the method comprises the step of providing one or more valve means for controlling the flow of fuel and preheated air to the cold flame vaporizer.

34. Method according to claim 30, wherein the method comprises the step of arranging, in each flow path in the exhaust conduit section, the NOx trap downstream of the respective particle filter.

35. Method according to claim 30, wherein the method comprises the step of arranging an oxidation catalyst in the exhaust conduit section downstream of the particle filter and the NOx trap.

36. Method for regeneration of a particle filter with deposits of soot wherein a cold flame gas is flowed through the particle filter, wherein the cold fuel gas is provided by releasing 2-20% of the calorific value of a fuel.

Description

(1) In the following, an embodiment of the invention is disclosed in detail with reference to the enclosed figures, where

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a particle filter is arranged in an exhaust conduit

(3) FIG. 2a illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the particle filter is arranged in an EGR loop.

(4) FIG. 2b is the section A-A of the particle filter on FIG. 2a.

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention where the particle filter is arranged in an EGR loop.

(6) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Exhaust gas, indicated with the arrow 20 flows in an exhaust gas conduit 14. Valve means 18 are provided to control the flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust gas conduit. Further downstream there is arranged a particle filter 10 which cleans the exhaust gas for particulate matter. At certain intervals the particle filter needs to be regenerated, and that may be carried out, according to the present invention, by providing a cold flame gas and letting it flow through the particle filter until the particle filter is regenerated. In FIG. 1 the cold flame gas is produced a cold flame vaporizer 11. A fuel supply 12, for instance diesel or heavy fuel oil, is connected to the cold flame vaporizer 11 through fluid line 26. Valve means 19 is provided to control the flow of fuel to the cold flame vaporizer 11. There is also provided a fuel supply 13 which may include an air intake 15 and an air filter (not shown). The air supply 13 is connected to the cold flame vaporizer through a fluid line 25. Valve means 16 controls the flow of air from the air supply 13 to the cold flame vaporizer 11.

(7) Preferably, there is also provided heating means (not shown) for preheating the air before being fed to the cold flame vaporizer 11. By adjust the valve means 16, 19 properly, the desired ration of fuel and air may be achieved.

(8) The cold flame gas is fed through fluid line 27 to the exhaust gas conduit just upstream for the particle filter 10. Valve means 17 is provided to control the flow of cold flame gas from the cold flame vaporizer 11 to the exhaust gas conduit 14 and to the exhaust gas conduit 14.

(9) When the particle filter 11 needs to be regenerated, which may be noticed by an increased pressure drop over the filter indicating that cleaning is needed, the valve means 18 is preferably closed and the valve means 17 opens for the flow of cold flame gas through the particle filter 10, and thereby regenerating it.

(10) In FIGS. 2a-b and 3a-b, two similar embodiments of the invention is illustrated. An engine exhaust system for an internal combustion engine 30, preferably a compression ignition engine, is shown. Furthermore, there is provided an exhaust gas conduit 14 through which the exhaust, indicated by arrow 21, flows. In order to reduce the content of NOx in the exhaust from the engine 30, there is provided an EGR loop (exhaust gas return loop).

(11) In FIG. 2a, the EGR loop is shown with a exhaust gas return conduit 32, 33. The exhaust gas return conduit comprises a fluid line 32 extending between the exhaust conduit 14 and a particle filter section 22, and a fluid line 33 extending between the particle filter section 22 and the engine 30. As can be seen on FIG. 2b the exhaust gas return conduit 32, 33 is, at least along a part of its length divided into at least two flow paths 48, 49. This length of the particle filter section will preferably correspond the length of a particle filter 10. The flow paths are formed by a partition 34 as can be seen on FIG. 2b.

(12) A particle filter 10 is provided in each of the flow paths 48, 49 and valve means (not shown) or other means are provided to control the flow of exhaust gas through the 48, 49.

(13) There is furthermore provided a cold flame vaporizer 11 with a fuel supply 12 and an air supply 13 in the same manner as explained above. The cold flame gas produced in the cold flame vaporizer 11 is fed to the fluid line 32 just in front of the particle filter section 10. When valve means 17 is opened, cold flame gas may flow through one or both the flow paths 48, 49.

(14) When one of the particle filters 10 in the particle filter section 22 needs to be regenerated, valve means or other means blocks the flow path 32, 33 in which the particle filter 10 to regenerated is located, for the flow of exhaust gas. The valve means 17 opens and lets cold flame gas flow through the particle filter 10 to be regenerated. When the particle filter is regenerated the position of the valves may be switched such that the exhaust gas flows through the particle filter 10 which has just been regenerated, while the cold flame gas directed through the particle filter that needs to be regenerated. The particle filters may be considered to be regenerated, for instance when the pressure drop over the particle filter drops below a certain value.

(15) In this way there is no need to close the EGR loop while the filters are being regenerated. In FIG. 2b there is shown that the particle filter section 22 is divided into two flow paths 48, 49 with particle filters 10, but obviously, more than two flow paths may be provided if that is deemed necessary.

(16) The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The same numerals have been used for the same features, so only the parts that differ between the two embodiments will be explained below.

(17) The difference between the two embodiments is that in the embodiment shown on FIGS. 3a and 3b, the flow paths are formed by two separate fluid lines instead of being partitions of a single exhaust conduit (the particle filter section in the embodiment in FIG. 2a).

(18) In the ERG loop 40, the exhaust gas flows in two (on the drawing) parallel fluid lines 38, 39. In each of the two fluid lines 38 and 39 there is provided a particle filter 10 and valve means for controlling the flow of the exhaust gas through the two fluid lines 38, 39. The cold flame gas from the cold flame vaporizer 11 is controlled by valve means 17. When the particle filters needs to be regenerated, the valve means are adjusted such that cold flame gas flows through one particle filter 10, thereby regenerating it, while exhaust gas is guided through the other particle filter 10. After the first particle filter has been regenerated, the positions of the valve means are switched such that the exhaust gas flows through the particle filter which has just been regenerated while the cold flame gas flows through the particle filter that still needs to be regenerated.

(19) As for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, there is possible to provide more than two flow paths 38, 39 if that is needed.