A FLOW-THROUGH PARTICULATE INCINERATION SYSTEM COUPLED TO AN AERODYNAMICALLY REGENERATED PARTICULATE TRAP FOR DIESEL ENGINE EXHAUST GAS

摘要

A flow-through particulate incineration system is coupled to an aerodynamically regenerated diesel engine exhaust gas particulate (soot, condensed polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and ash) trap (418). An incineration chamber (430) is provided downstream of the particulates dislodged from the particulate trap (418) during regeneration thereof by a pulse of compressed air. During regeneration, a valve (434) between the particulate trap (418) and the incineration chamber (430) opens to allow the air and entrained particles to pass into the incineration chamber (430) to allow passage of the regeneration air therethrough, but prevent passage of the particulates, whereby the particulates are retained in the incineration chamber (430). A heater (464) in the incineration chamber is periodically activated to burn the particulates collected in the trap. The oxidation products may be exhausted to ambient or may be returned to the engine intake (472) in an exhaust gas recirculation system.