Exhaust gas recirculation filtration system
AssigneeSouthwest Research Institute
InventorMagdi K. Khair
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filtration system adapted to prevent diesel soot carried with recirculated exhaust gas from being recirculated through internal combustion engine. The filtration system provides continuous elimination of soot, thus reducing its negative impact on engine life, lubrication oil quality, and on components in the exhaust gas recirculation system. The filtration system comprises a non-thermal plasma generator that periodically, or continuously, oxidizes carbon deposited, or trapped, within a carbon filter disposed downstream of the non-thermal plasma generator.
Claims7
A high pressure loop exhaust gas recirculation system for internal combustion engines having an intake manifold and two-port exhaust manifold in direct fluid communication with at least one combustion chamber of said engine, and having a turbocharger system for turbocharging the engine, said filtration system comprising:
- an intake conduit connected directly to the exhaust manifold and dedicated exclusively to the flow of exhaust for EGR purposes;
- a non-thermal plasma generator that receives exhaust from the intake conduit, wherein said non-thermal plasma generator is a pulsed corona discharge device operating in a range from 30 kv to 40 kv;
- a particulate filter in direct fluid communication with the plasma generator and that receives treated exhaust from the plasma generator;
- wherein the plasma generator is used to clean the particulate filter;
- an output conduit connected to the turbocharger system, such that the turbocharger system and the output conduit share a common port into the intake manifold;
- and
- a valve disposed between the particulate filter and the output conduit, the valve operable to immediately control the amount of treated exhaust entering the intake manifold.
A method of providing a high pressure loop exhaust gas recirculation system for internal combustion engines having an intake manifold and two-port exhaust manifold in direct fluid communication with at least one combustion chamber of said engine, and having a turbocharger system for turbocharging the engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving exhaust from the engine exhaust manifold, via an intake conduit connected directly to the exhaust manifold and dedicated exclusively to the flow of exhaust for EGR purposes;
- passing the exhaust through a non-thermal plasma generator that receives exhaust from the intake conduit, wherein said non-thermal plasma generator is a pulsed corona discharge device operating in a range from 30 kv to 40 kv;
- filtering the output of the plasma generator through a particulate filter in direct fluid communication with the plasma generator;
- cleaning the particulate filter using the plasma generator;
- returning the output of the filter to the intake manifold via an output conduit connected to the turbocharger system, such that the turbocharger system and the output conduit share a common port into the intake manifold;
- and
- using a valve disposed between the particulate filter and the output conduit to control the amount of treated exhaust entering the intake manifold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.