Sliding-mode observer for urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) mid-catalyst ammonia concentration estimation

This paper presents an observer design for SCR mid-catalyst ammonia concentration estimation using tailpipe NO_x and ammonia sensors. Urea-SCR has been popularly used by Diesel engine powered vehicles to reduce NO_x emissions in recent years. It utilizes ammonia, converted from urea injected at upstream of the catalyst, as the reductant to catalytically convert NO_x emissions to nitrogen. To simultaneously achieve high SCR NO_x conversion efficiency and low tailpipe ammonia slip, it is desirable to control the ammonia storage distribution along the SCR catalyst. Such a control method, however, requires a mid-catalyst ammonia sensor. The observer developed in this paper can replace such a mid-catalyst ammonia sensor and be used for SCR catalyst ammonia distribution control as well as serves for fault diagnosis purpose of the mid-catalyst ammonia sensor. The stability of the observer was shown based on the sliding mode approach and analyzed by simulations. Experimental validation of the observer was also conducted based on a medium-duty Diesel engine two-catalyst SCR system setup with emission sensors.     

Model-based control system design in a urea-SCR aftertreatment system based on NH3 sensor feedback

This paper presents preliminary control system simulation results in a urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system based on NH₃ sensor feedback. A four-state control-oriented lumped parameter model is used to analyze the controllability and observability properties of the urea-SCR plant. A model-based estimator is designed via simulation and a control system is developed with design based on a sliding mode control framework. The control system based on NH₃ sensor feedback is analyzed via simulation by comparing it to a control system developed based on NO_x sensor feedback. Simulation results show that the NH₃ sensor-based strategy performs very similarly in comparison to a NO_x sensor-based strategy. The control system performance metrics for NO_x index, urea index, urea usage, and NH₃ slip suggest that the NO_x sensor can be a potential alternative to a NO_x sensor for urea-SCR control applications.     

Effect of Hydrothermal Aging over a Commercial DOC on NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Production and Subsequent SCR Efficiency

In this study, the effect of hydrothermal aging over a commercial diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) on deterioration in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) production activity has been experimentally investigated based on a micro-reactor DOC experiment. Through this experimental result, the NO₂ to nitrogen oxides (NOx) ratio at DOC outlet has been mathematically expressed as a function of DOC temperature according to various aging conditions. The current study reveals that the catalyst aging temperature is a more dominant factor than the aging duration in terms of the decrease in NO₂ production performance through DOC. The DOC sample hydrothermally aged for 25 h at 750 °C has displayed the lowest NO₂ to NOx ratio compared to the samples aged for 25 ~ 100 h at 650 °C. Also, in this study, the impact of hydrothermal aging of a DOC on the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) efficiency in a ‘DOC + SCR’ aftertreatment system was predicted by using transient SCR simulations. To validate the SCR simulation, this study has conducted a dynamometer test of a non-road heavy-duty diesel engine with employing a commercial ‘DOC + SCR’ system on the exhaust line. The current study has quantitatively estimated the effect of the variation in NO₂ to NOx ratio due to the hydrothermal aging of DOC on the NOx removal efficiency of SCR.     

分子筛型SCR对车用柴油机排放改善的试验研究

商用车柴油机多采用DOC+SCR的后处理系统来满足国Ⅳ、国Ⅴ排放标准的要求,而不同类型SCR的催化特性对最终污染物排放影响也不同。试验获取了一支铜基分子筛型SCR,基于1台2.8L柴油机和一支钒基SCR,运行了车用柴油机稳态循环(ESC)和瞬态排放循环(ETC),研究并分析了其对柴油机污染物的减排特性。结果表明,相较于钒基SCR,运行ETC循环时分子筛型SCR对发动机NOx和PM排放的减排效率分别提升19%和33%;分子筛型SCR对NOx的低温转化效率更高,且由于对排气流量不敏感,在高空速工况下其转化效率显著高于钒基SCR;分子筛型SCR对颗粒物个数的减排效率弱于钒基SCR,达7%以上,容易将大质量颗粒物分解为小质量颗粒物;两种SCR均对CO和HC具有一定的减排效果,减排率可达20%左右。     

Experimental and 3D,embedded modeling for diesel engine SCR deposit

Nowadays, the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is a promising solution to fulfill stringent nitrogen oxide (NO_X) emission standards enforced by worldwide regulation bodies for lean burning engines. However, in the practical operation, urea deposits occur under unfavorable conditions, which bring about a failure of urea dosing strategy, affect the SCR system de-NOx performance and lowering the fuel economy by increasing the engine back pressure. This paper will present 3D deposit model, which can be used to predict the deposit position. Furthermore, a model-based controls strategy and calibration are designed. The comparison test results of both engine emission tests and vehicle field tests shows there is significant deposits improvement with the embedded model.     

国V柴油对车用柴油机排放影响的试验研究

采用AVL全流采样(CVS)系统,在3台国Ⅳ重型柴油机上进行了国Ⅳ、国Ⅴ柴油油品对排放影响的对比试验,试验使用ESC,ETC以及ELR测试循环。3台发动机均采用增压中冷+SCR技术路线,供油系统包括高压共轨和电控单体泵系统,排量范围为3.8～11.9 L。研究发现,无论是ESC循环还是ETC循环,国Ⅴ柴油相对于国Ⅳ柴油,均可以降低重型柴油机的PM和CO排放,但对NO_x,THC和ELR烟度没有明显影响。     

面向控制的SCR催化转化器温度模型

为了建立面向控制的SCR催化器温度模型,根据能量守恒和质量守恒方程并考虑热平衡中所涉及的换热过程不同,建立了4种SCR催化器温度的数学模型,并利用Matlab/Simulink构建图形化的计算模型。采用柴油机欧洲稳态循环(ESC)和欧洲瞬态循环(ETC)条件下的台架实测数据对模型进行检验,基于最大离散程度、拟合度和计算时间3个指标对模型进行评价和比较。结果表明,考虑催化器与废气和周围环境对流换热的温度模型具有良好的预测精度和实时性,更适合用于SCR控制策略。     

Effects of Injection Timing on Transient Performance of A Regulated Two-Stage Turbocharged Diesel Engine with Turbine Bypass Valve

The object of this paper is to reduce soot emissions under typical 5s transient conditions of constant speed and increasing torque. And effects of fuel injection timing on combustion and emissions parameters were experimentally and numerically studied in a regulated two-stage turbocharged diesel engine with a turbine bypass valve (TBV). The test results indicated that: the smaller TBV opening could improve deterioration of smoke emissions and BSFC at medium and heavy loads. Afterward, the full-stage injection timing (FSIT) strategies (delaying injection timing during the entire transient process) could reduce soot and NO_X emissions simultaneously. However, when TBV opening became larger, smoke emissions and BSFC were deteriorated gradually. Moreover, the sectional-stage injection timing (SSIT) strategies (advancing injection timing from 10 % load to a preset load and delaying injection timing from the preset load to 100 % load) could markedly reduce soot emissions by 75.8 % with TBV opening 20 %; the degradation of fuel consumption could be effectively suppressed. Finally, coupling the SSIT strategies with the TBV control strategies could significantly improve the transient performance.     

国产车用尿素可替代性试验研究

使用商业钒基SCR催化转化器和某国Ⅳ重型柴油机,在AVL发动机台架上对3种国产车用尿素进行了相互替代性试验,研究中考虑了不同尿素对SCR催化转换器的起燃特性、动态响应、NOx转化率和NH3泄漏等性能的影响。试验排气温度为160～440℃,n(NOx)∶n(NH3)(物质的量之比)从0.8变化到1.2。研究发现:相同条件下3种尿素对SCR系统起燃温度基本没有影响,ESC和ETC循环NOx转化率都在70%以上,同时对其他常规气态排放和NH3泄漏没有明显影响,可以互相替代使用;相同条件下,单位体积尿素溶液中尿素含量越高,SCR系统动态响应越快,ESC和ETC循环NOx转化率越高。     

Real-time empirical NO<Subscript>x</Subscript> model based on In-cylinder pressure measurements for light-duty diesel engines

This paper proposes a real-time empirical model of NO_x emissions for diesel engines. The proposed model predicts the level of NO_x emissions using an empirical model developed based on the thermal NO formation mechanism, the extended Zeldovich mechanism. Since it is difficult to consider the exact physical NO formation phenomena in real-time applications, the proposed algorithm adapts the key factors of the NO formation mechanism from the extended Zeldovich mechanism: temperature of the burned gas, concentration of the gas species, and combustion duration where NO is generated. These factors are considered in a prediction model as four parameters: exhaust gas recirculation rate (EGR rate), crank angle location of 50 % of mass fraction burned (MFB50), exhaust lambda value, and combustion acceleration. The proposed prediction model is validated with various steady engine experiments that showed a high linear correlation with the NO_x emission measured by a NO_x sensor. Furthermore, it is also validated for transient experiments.     

Effect of direct in-cylinder CO2 injection on HCCI combustion and emission characteristics

Fuel injection during negative valve overlap period was used to realize diesel homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion. In order to control the combustion, CO₂ in-cylinder injection was used to simulate external EGR. Effects of CO₂ injection parameters (injection timing, quantity, pressure) on HCCI combustion and emission characteristics were investigated. Experimental results revealed that CO₂ in-cylinder injection can control the start of combustion and effectively reduce NO_x emission. Either advancing CO₂ injection timing or increasing CO₂ injection quantity can reduce peak cylinder pressure and mean gas temperature, delay the starts of low temperature reaction (LTR) and high temperature reaction (HTR), and lower pressure rise rate; NO_x emission was reduced, while smoke, HC, and CO emissions increased. Since the combustion phase was improved, the indicated thermal efficiency was also improved. Injection pressure determines the amount of disturbance introduced into the cylinder. Generally, with the same injection quantity, higher injection pressure results in higher momentum flux and total momentum. Larger momentum flux and momentum has a stronger disturbance to air-fuel mixture, resulting in a more homogeneous mixture; therefore, larger injection pressure leads to lower NO_x and smoke emissions.     

Effect of UWS injection at low exhaust gas temperature on NO<Subscript>x</Subscript> removal efficiency of diesel engine

Urea-SCR systems have been widely used in diesel vehicles according to the strengthened NO_x (Nitrogen Oxides) emission standard. The NO_x removal efficiencies of the latest well optimized urea-SCR system are above 90 % at moderate exhaust gas temperature of 250 ~ 450 °C. However, a large amount of NO_x is emitted from diesel vehicles at cold start or urban driving conditions, when the exhaust gas temperature is not high enough for SCR catalyst activation. Although many researchs have been stuied to improve NO_x conversion efficiency at these low temperature conditions, it is still one of important technical issues. In this study, the effect of UWS injection at low exhaust gas temperature conditions is studied. This study uses a 3.4 L diesel engine equipped with a commertial urea SCR system. As a result, it is found that about 5 % of NO_x removal efficiency is improved in the NRTC test when UWS injection starts at the SCR inlet temperature of 150 °C compared to 200 °C. It is also found that urea deposits can be formed on the wall of exhaust pipe, when the local wall temperature is lower than temperature of urea decomposition.     

SCR control strategy based on ANNs and Fuzzy PID in a heavy-duty diesel engine

The paper presents an innovative method combining artificial neural networks (ANNs) with Fuzzy PID to demonstrate the advantages of this control approach for meeting both NOx emission requirements and NH3 slip targets. An ANN model was utilized to simulate the formation of NOx emissions under various engine operating conditions. Next, an effective closed-loop control strategy with a type of feedback known as fuzzy PID is adopted for on-line, real-time control of 32.5% aqueous urea dosing in the exhaust stream. The new strategy explores the benefits by simulation and testing in the environments of Matlab/Simulink and ESC/ETC, respectively. The notable achievement of considerable NOx reduction and an acceptably small NH3 slip is obtained based on this new, feasible and effective strategy.     

Reduction of emissions with propane addition to a diesel engine

Recent studies on dual-fuel combustion in compression-ignition (CI) engines, also known as diesel engines, fall into two categories. In the first category are studies focused on the addition of small amounts of gaseous fuel to CI engines. In these studies, gaseous fuel is regarded as a secondary fuel and diesel fuel is regarded as the main fuel for combustion. The objectives of these studies typically involve reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions by using gaseous fuel as a partial substitution for diesel fuel. However, the addition of gaseous fuel raises the combustion temperature, which increases emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x). In the second category are studies focused on reactivity-controlled compression-ignition (RCCI) combustion. RCCI combustion can be implemented by early diesel injection with a large amount of low-reactivity fuel such as gasoline or gaseous fuel. Although RCCI combustion promises lower NO_x and PM emissions and higher thermal efficiency than conventional diesel combustion, it requires a higher intake pressure (usually more than 1.7 bars) to maintain a lean fuel mixture. Therefore, in this study, practical applications of dual-fuel combustion with a low air-fuel ratio (AFR), which implies a low intake pressure, were systemically evaluated using propane in a diesel engine. The characteristics of dualfuel combustion for high and low AFRs were first evaluated. The proportion of propane used for four different operating conditions was then increased to decrease emissions and to identify the optimal condition for dual-fuel combustion. Although the four operating conditions differ, the AFR was maintained at 20 (? approximately equal to 0.72) and the 50% mass fraction burned (MFB 50) was also fixed. The results show that dual-fuel combustion can reduce NO_x and PM emissions in comparison to conventional diesel combustion.     

Majorization of working parameters for non-thermal plasma reactor and impact on no oxidation of diesel engine

The main target of this work is to realize the function of pre-oxidizing NO from diesel engine’s exhaust by using self-designed double-dielectric Non-thermal Plasma (NTP) reactor. The majorized discharge frequency and discharge peak to peak voltage (V_p-p) range for NTP reactor were obtained through air discharge test. The diesel engine test bench was established to observe the effect of NTP on the volume fraction of NO. The results showed that there were more active substances and fewer by-products in NTP reactor when discharge frequency was 9 kHz and V_p-p was between 9 kV and 23 kV; Exhaust flows had insignificant effect on the performance of NTP pre-oxidizing NO; The ability of NTP to pre-oxidize NO gradually weakened with the increase of engine load, and when the engine load were 0 % and 25 %, the ratio of NO/NO₂ could reach 1. In such working conditions, SCR system could improve the conversion rate of the NO_x at low-temperature zone through quick reaction combined with NTP.     

Urea-SCR system optimization with various combinations of mixer types and decomposition pipe lengths

The demand for NO_x after-treatment system has increased dramatically due to the stricter NO_x emission regulations for diesel vehicles. The urea-SCR system is one of the NO_x after-treatment methods found to be quite effective to meet the regulation requirement enforced by various authorities including the Euro-6. In order to develop an effective urea-SCR system, it is critical to establish an even distribution of reductant over the catalyst surface since this favorable distribution can increase reduction reaction and in turn, improve NO_x conversion efficiencies. In the current study, a number of design variations of the urea-SCR system which included two mixer types and three decomposition pipe lengths, were evaluated systematically using CFD analysis and experimental measurements. The purpose of the CFD analysis was to estimate the distribution of reductant within the urea-SCR system with a specific configuration and the purpose of the engine emission test was to measure the amount of NO_x reduction, respectively. The results from the systematic analysis revealed the relation between the reductant distribution over the SCR and the performance of the NO_x reduction.     

柴油机Urea-SCR系统建模与仿真研究

分别建立了基于GT-Power软件的目标发动机模型和尿素SCR一维催化器模型,依据搭建的试验装置,验证了模型的有效性。在十三工况中,排气流量和排气温度的最大误差分别为4.13%和8.3%。在SCR催化器模型验证中,模拟值与试验值趋势一致,吻合较好。将上述模型耦合,对柴油机尿素SCR系统进行模拟分析。模拟结果表明:催化剂温度分布沿排气流向基本呈线性分布;选择催化还原反应主要集中在催化剂的入口段;催化剂的催化效能利用率与催化剂表面NH3覆盖度密切相关,随排气流向下降,提高催化剂的NH3吸附能力可以显著提高催化剂的转化效能。模拟结果可以用于柴油机尿素SCR系统控制策略的制定和SCR催化器的设计与定型。     

Study of the effects on exhaust emissions in direct injection diesel engines: Effects of fuel injection system,distillation properties and cetane number

The effect of injection nozzle, diesel fuel density (volatility) and cetane number on diesel exhaust emissions were investigated. Decreasing injection nozzle hole diameter decreases PM emission. However, a small nozzle hole increases NO_x emission and decreases the effect of fuel on PM emission. Decreasing fuel density is effective for reduction of NO_x emission. But the effect is smaller than that of nozzle hole diameter and injection pressure. Furthermore injection timing retardation decreases the effect of fuel density on NO_x emission.     

Numerical analysis of the effect of inhomogeneous pre-mixture on the pressure rise rate in an HCCI engine using multi-zone chemical kinetics

The HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) engine is an internal combustion engine under development, which is capable of providing both high diesel-like efficiency and very low NO_x and particulate emissions. However, several technical issues must be resolved before the HCCI engine is ready for widespread application. One issue is that its operating range is limited by an excessive pressure rise rate which is caused by the excessive heat release from its selfaccelerated combustion reaction and the resulting engine knock in high-load conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of thermal and fuel stratification for reducing the pressure rise rate in HCCI engines. The NO_x and CO concentrations in the exhaust gas were also evaluated to confirm combustion completeness and NO_x emissions. The computational work was conducted using a multi-zone code with detailed chemical kinetics, including the effects of thermal and fuel stratification on the onset of ignition and the rate of combustion. The engine was fueled with dimethyl ether (DME) which has a unique two-stage heat release, and methane which has a one-stage heat release.     

Exhaust emissions and its control methods in compression ignition engines: A review

Extensive usage of automobiles has certain disadvantages and one of them is its negative effect on environment. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and particulate matter (PM) come out as harmful products during incomplete combustion from internal combustion (IC) engines. As these substances affect human health, regulatory bodies impose increasingly stringent restrictions on the level of emissions coming out from IC engines. This trend suggests the urgent need for the investigation of all aspects relevant to emissions. It is required to modify existing engine technologies and to develop a better after-treatment system to achieve the upcoming emission norms. Diesel engines are generally preferred over gasoline engines due to their undisputed benefit of fuel economy and higher torque output. However, diesel engines produce higher emissions, particularly NO_x and PM. Aftertreatment systems are costly and occupy more space, hence, in-cylinder solutions are preferred in reducing emissions. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology has been utilized previously to reduce NO_x. Though it is quite successful for small engines, problem persists with large bore engines and with high rate of EGR. EGR helps in reducing NO_x, but increases particulate emissions and fuel consumption. Many in-cylinder solutions such as lower compression ratios, modified injection characteristics, improved air intake system etc. are required along with EGR to accomplish the future emission norms. Modern combustion techniques such as low temperature combustion (LTC), homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) etc. would be helpful for reducing the exhaust emissions and improving the engine performance. However, controlling of autoignition timing and achieving wider operating range are the major challenges with these techniques. A comprehensive review of diesel engine performance and emission characteristics is given in this paper.