Engine exhaust re-burner system -> Monitor Keywords
Fresh Patents
Monitor Patents Patent Organizer File a Provisional Patent Browse Inventors Browse Industry Browse Agents Browse Locations
site info Site News  |  monitor Monitor Keywords  |  monitor archive Monitor Archive  |  organizer Organizer  |  account info Account Info  |  
03/09/06 - USPTO Class 060 |  208 views | #20060048500 | Prev - Next | About this Page  060 rss/xml feed  monitor keywords

Engine exhaust re-burner system

USPTO Application #: 20060048500
Title: Engine exhaust re-burner system
Abstract: As taught herein the present system is used for complete combustion and elimination of all pollutants from any diesel operated engine or the like, respectively. The system is very simple to construct and is adaptable for numerous applications of choice. The main components include a micro-controller for control of the system components and an elongated combustion chamber that is internally partitioned by flow conditions thus forming individual chambers therein. The system is completely self-contained and no additional power source is required other than the actual diesel engine's power means. (end of abstract)



Agent: Ronald E. Loving - Fernley, NV, US
Inventor: Ronald E. Loving
USPTO Applicaton #: 20060048500 - Class: 060282000 (USPTO)

Related Patent Categories: Power Plants, Internal Combustion Engine With Treatment Or Handling Of Exhaust Gas, By Means Producing A Chemical Reaction Of A Component Of The Exhaust Gas

Engine exhaust re-burner system description/claims


The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060048500, Engine exhaust re-burner system.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
  monitor keywords



FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to new and improved devices used for reducing air pollution but more particularly pertains to a system where by, when installed in-line onto a diesel engine exhaust provides for the elimination and/or complete combustion of harmful emissions generated there from. Such emissions including but not limited too, compounds, such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (Cx Hx), carbon monoxide (CO), odors, organic and inorganic particulates (VOC's). The diesel engine exhaust re-burner is of a very simple construction. It is basically formed from one elongated tube which forms a combustion chamber having internal compartments that are partitioned by flow conditioners, or vanes respectively, therein and which when combined with fuel and/or air will generate sufficient heat to then destroy pollution exiting from the engine exhaust. The system is extremely energy efficient in that all of its fuel is combusted and this in turn produces the required heat. Furthermore, the combustion chamber system does not require any moving parts or maintenance, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The pollution produced by the exhaust from internal combustion engines is increasingly of concern. These pollutants include hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x), and particulate emissions. The type and amount of emissions depend, among other things, on the type of engine and fuel system and on operating conditions. For example, diesel engines produce relatively low amounts of CO, but produce significant amounts of particulate matter in the form of soot, that is comprised of carbon, ash, that is comprised of inorganics, and polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that are condensed about the carbon nuclei of the soot. 1994 U.S. particulate emissions standards require that diesel engines emit particulates of no more than 0.1 g/BHP/hr. NO.sub.x emissions are also a significant problem for diesel engines.

[0003] Porous ceramic and other filters have been used to capture unwanted particulate matter in the form of soot, ash, and PAHs condensed about the carbon nuclei of the soot, which are entrained in the emission stream of diesel engines. The soot is "sticky" and adheres quite readily to the walls defining the pores of the ceramic and other filters. However, after prolonged filtration, the soot so accumulates in the filters as to obstruct the pores. An obstructed filter induces a back pressure in the exhaust line which can affect engine operation and reduce the effective throughput of the filters, necessitating the cleaning or replacement of the filters.

[0004] Thermal regeneration to remove the accumulated soot from the filters is known, such as by embedding resistive filaments in the ceramic matrix that oxidize the accumulated soot when energized. However, because hot spots tend to be formed thereby that cause thermal failures in the ceramic, not only is care required to prevent degradation of the filter matrix in the locale of the hot spots, but also degraded filters must be periodically monitored to ensure that they comply with the clean air emission standards. Fine ceramic particles can also be eroded and travel downstream, where they can cause damage to the exhaust system piping or to the engine. Further, the PAHs entrained in the diesel exhaust condense at and around 200.degree. to 400.degree. C. Filters which employ thermal regeneration techniques are generally located at the diesel exhaust manifold close to the engine and typically operate at temperatures well above the boiling point of the PAHs, which makes them generally unsuited to unburned PAH emission control or use in a recirculation line. Moreover, thermally regenerated filters are prone to failure by melting and cracking of the ceramic matrix during the high-temperature regeneration periods.

[0005] An alternative to thermal regeneration of the soot filters is aerodynamic regeneration using pulses of compressed air flowing through the trap in a direction opposite to the exhaust. In the aerodynamically regenerated traps, the filter encounters relatively low temperatures, in the range of 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., since these traps can be placed at any location in the exhaust pipe, even far from the engine. Moreover, the intermittent pulsing of the regeneration compressed air further cools the filter. An example of an aerodynamically regenerated trap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,335, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Treating an Exhaust Gas From a Diesel Engine." In U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,340, entitled "Rotating Diesel Particulate Trap", incorporated herein by reference, particulates are continuously removed by rotating a particulate trap such that, while one sector thereof is exposed to diesel exhaust flowing in one direction, another sector thereof is exposed to a counter flowing stream of high-velocity (high-mass) air provided either by a fan or a compressed air tank.

[0006] Early aerodynamically regenerated traps channeled the regeneration air to bag-houses, where the soot was retained in fiber bags. The bags were cleaned or replaced as needed. The traps functioned effectively in this configuration, since the large filtration area of the fiber bags offered minimal resistance or back-pressure to the flow of the regeneration air through the ceramic filter. However, periodically, the bags must be collected and removed, creating a disposal problem. Thus, particulate trap systems were developed incorporating incinerator sections that burned the particulates in a separate chamber, away from the ceramic filter. By burning the particulates away from the ceramic filter, the filter does not experience elevated temperatures and thermal failures are avoided.

[0007] A known incineration system uses a dead-flow cylinder positioned directly below the ceramic filter. A heating element is located at the bottom of the cylinder. If the volume of the dead-flow cylinder is sufficiently large, the momentum of the regeneration air is dissipated in the cylinder and the soot eventually settles on the heater. If the volume of the dead-flow cylinder is small, however, the effectiveness of this system is reduced. The performance of this system is satisfactory if regeneration is performed off line, i.e., while the engine is stopped and no exhaust is flowing through the filter. If regeneration occurs on-line, the cleaning effectiveness of the filter deteriorates with time, probably caused by the re-entrainment of soot in the engine-exhaust stream and re-entry into the ceramic filter. Blocking the exit of the incineration chamber with a fibrous filter has not been found to improve the system since the filter creates large back pressures this impedes the flow of the regeneration air, and quickly becomes plugged.

[0008] Exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) is another known pollution control technique that has been successfully used to reduce NO.sub.x emissions in the exhaust stream from a diesel engine. With EGR, a portion of the exhaust is re-circulated back into the engine. The exhaust gas replaces a portion of the combustion air in the engine, resulting in less oxygen available to enter into the reactions, and lowers the temperature at which combustion occurs. A lower concentration of NO.sub.x emissions in the exhaust gas stream results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an engine pollution re-burner system that overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages associated within the known prior art. For example, the present invention has been simplified and accomplishes unusual results heretofore not achieved. The system itself includes substantially an elongated tube that is internally partitioned forming interconnected multiple compartments that are individually partitioned by flow conditioners (vanes) for controlling velocity and swirling of the gases.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an engine pollution re-burner system that requires little or no maintenance, and is extremely efficient and durable.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an engine pollution re-burner system that can be easily manufactured, is extremely cost effective, very efficient and marketable.

[0012] It is a very important object of the present invention to provide an engine pollution re-burner system that eliminates all, or at least a very large percentage, such as 99.99% of all the contaminants associated with the engine pollution from diesel engines.

[0013] Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide an engine pollution re-burner system wherein all of the typical pre-existing components, such as the fuel dispensing means, igniters, blowers, etc., that most other pollution systems require are now completely eliminated which is most advantageous and cost effective.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an engine pollution re-burner system that eliminates the need for any particulate traps to catch and hold particulate matter and other unburnt compounds to be dealt with at a later time. Additional fuels and/or air mixtures associated with the prior art are also eliminated, as the present system is completely self-contained and operational only requiring a power source, the same power source as the system engine. Unburnt fuel, VOC's and odors will also be eliminated by the reburner system.

[0015] Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an engine pollution re-burner system that is, to a large extent a retrofit, and no modifications to the actual diesel engine are required.

[0016] Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into consideration with the following specification and drawings, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present diesel engine exhaust re-burner system.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a basic representation of the computer algorithm to control the re-burner system.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an overview for the preferred embodiment for the flow conditioners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Continue reading about Engine exhaust re-burner system...
Full patent description for Engine exhaust re-burner system

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

Click on the above for other options relating to this Engine exhaust re-burner system patent application.
###
monitor keywords

How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents
1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored.
3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords.  
Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Engine exhaust re-burner system or other areas of interest.
###


Previous Patent Application:
Pulsed detonation engine
Next Patent Application:
Catalytic device with internal heat exchange
Industry Class:
Power plants

###

FreshPatents.com Support
Thank you for viewing the Engine exhaust re-burner system patent info.
IP-related news and info


Results in 0.13815 seconds


Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories:
Software:  Finance AI Databases Development Document Navigation Error 174
filepatents (1K)

* Protect your Inventions
* US Patent Office filing
patentexpress PATENT INFO