LNT regeneration with hydrogen for transport engine application

A method of operating an exhaust treatment system, the method comprising:

• introducing a fuel to a combustion engine of a motor vehicle;
• directing emissions from the combustion engine to an exhaust line;
• passing the emissions in the exhaust line through a catalytic unit, a particulate filter, and an oxidation catalytic unit;
• storing the emissions in a Lean NOx Trap (LNT), wherein the LNT is positioned downstream of the oxidation catalytic unit and proximate to a tailpipe of the exhaust line, and operating the LNT at a temperature less than an operation temperature of the engine, the catalytic unit, the particulate filter, or any combination thereof;
• injecting a gas consisting essentially of hydrogen gas (H2) into the exhaust line via a hydrogen injection unit, wherein an amount of the gas injected from a hydrogen inlet line reduces the trapped NOx emissions in the LNT to an inert gas, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen;
• controlling the injecting the gas consisting essentially of hydrogen gas (H) into the exhaust line using an electronic control unit of the hydrogen injection unit, wherein the controlling comprises:
• transmitting a signal from at least one sensor of the exhaust line to the electronic control unit, wherein the at least one sensor is proximate to the LNT on the exhaust line, and wherein the at least one sensor acquires a concentration of NOx emissions upstream of the LNT, downstream of the LNT or combinations thereof;
• calculating a storage efficiency of the LNT based on the transmitted signal;
• and
• adjusting a valve of the hydrogen injection unit, wherein the valve is located in a hydrogen inlet line between the hydrogen injection unit and the LNT;
• and
• passing the emissions and the gas consisting essentially of hydrogen gas (H2) through the LNT.