Methods and systems for removing deposits in an aftertreatment system to minimize visible smoke emissions

A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions therein that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

• receiving data regarding an exhaust gas flow rate of exhaust gas at a particular location in an exhaust aftertreatment system;
• receiving data regarding a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) inlet temperature;
• determining an adsorption amount of soot in the exhaust aftertreatment system based on the exhaust gas flow rate of the exhaust gas at the particular location and the SCR inlet temperature;
• comparing the adsorption amount of soot to a predefined adsorption amount limit;
• in response to the adsorption amount of soot exceeding the predefined adsorption amount limit, initiating an exhaust cleaning event to remove at least some accumulated soot in the exhaust aftertreatment system;
• receiving exhaust gas data during the exhaust cleaning event;
• determining a desorption amount of soot based on the exhaust gas data;
• comparing the desorption amount of soot to a predefined desorption limit;
• and
• ceasing the exhaust cleaning event based on the comparison.

A system, comprising:

• a controller coupled to an engine and an exhaust aftertreatment system, the controller comprising at least one processing circuit comprising at least one memory coupled to at least one processor, the controller structured to:
• receive data regarding an exhaust gas flow rate of exhaust gas at a particular location in the exhaust aftertreatment system;
• receive data regarding a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) inlet temperature;
• determine an adsorption amount of soot in the exhaust aftertreatment system based on the exhaust gas flow rate of the exhaust gas at the particular location and the SCR inlet temperature;
• compare the adsorption amount of soot to a predefined adsorption amount limit;
• initiate an exhaust cleaning event to remove at least some accumulated soot in the exhaust aftertreatment system in response to the adsorption amount of soot exceeding the predefined adsorption amount limit;
• receive exhaust gas data during the exhaust cleaning event;
• determine a desorption amount of soot based on the exhaust gas data;
• compare the desorption amount of soot to a predefined desorption limit;
• and
• cease the exhaust cleaning event based on the comparison.