Flash heat ammonia generator
OwnerGary C. Fulks, Kenneth M. Rahmoellerinventors
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Abstract
An ammonia producing device for an exhaust system of an engine is provided. It includes a pressure vessel having a cavity for storage of pressurized gases. The pressure vessel includes insulation located at least partially about the cavity for limiting heat transfer from within the cavity. A flash heater is disposed within the cavity and adjacent a solid ammonia gas producing material. An outlet port extends from the pressure vessel and has a valve located therein for providing egress of pressurized gases from within the pressure vessel.
Claims19
An ammonia producing device for an exhaust system of an engine comprising:
- a pressure vessel including a cavity for storage of pressurized gases, the pressure vessel including insulation located at least partially about the cavity for limiting heat transfer from within the cavity;
- a flash heater disposed within the cavity and adjacent a solid ammonia gas producing material;
- and
- an outlet port extending from the pressure vessel and having a valve located therein for providing egress of pressurized gases from within the pressure vessel.
An exhaust system of an engine comprising:
- a pressure vessel including a flash heater and a solid ammonia gas producing material disposed therein, the solid ammonia gas producing material being in contact with the flash heater for generation of heat suitable for decomposition of the solid ammonia gas producing material;
- a manifold having an ammonia gas inlet in fluid communication with the pressure vessel and having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet in fluid communication with a main exhaust supply line;
- a control valve regulating flow of ammonia gas between the pressure vessel and the manifold;
- a controller in communication with the flash heater and the control valve, the controller causing actuation of the flash heater upon a pressure drop signal from within the pressure vessel and causing opening of the control valve to allow stored ammonia gas to enter the manifold and the exhaust gas stream.
A method of generating ammonia gas for use by a selective catalytic reduction device comprising:
- fluidly coupling a cavity of a pressure vessel to an exhaust gas stream of an engine;
- providing a flash heater and a solid ammonia gas producing material within the cavity of the pressure vessel;
- heating the flash heater to a temperature suitable for causing decomposition of the solid ammonia gas producing material;
- generating an ammonia gas;
- storing the ammonia gas with the pressure vessel between successive heating cycles of the flash heater;
- providing ammonia gas to the exhaust gas stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.