JP2012082828A - Method and device for controlling temperature of exhaust gas cleaning unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling the temperature of an exhaust gas cleaning unit in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine wherein at least one thermoelectric generator is mounted in the exhaust gas duct or on the exhaust gas cleaning unit, to improve the efficiency and the temperature control of the exhaust gas cleaning unit, and to reduce the fuel consumption thereof.SOLUTION: The working mode of a thermoelectric generator is incorporated in the temperature control of an exhaust gas cleaning unit, and the heating output or the cooling output to be achieved by the thermoelectric generator, and the cooling output of an additional component for cooling the thermoelectric generator are evaluated when controlling the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct, or for controlling the exhaust gas cleaning unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for temperature control of an exhaust gas purification facility in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine, wherein at least one thermoelectric generator is attached in the exhaust gas duct or in the exhaust gas purification facility. Yes.
The invention further relates to a corresponding device for carrying out this method.

In the framework of improving the energy use of fuel for automobiles, the use of energy contained in hot exhaust gas is being worked on. One option is a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that is attached to components in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine. The thermoelectric generator is based on the Seebeck effect of semiconductor materials such as Bi ₂ Te ₃ , PbTe, SiGe, BiSb, and FeSi ₂ , and the temperature difference when two regions of an object made of such a semiconductor material have different temperatures. Uses the occurrence of At this time, if the temperature difference is predetermined, the voltage difference depends on the Seebeck coefficient of the material, and this Seebeck coefficient can be influenced by doping of the semiconductor material. In order to achieve a practically usable voltage, the thermoelectric elements of the thermoelectric generator are connected in series. In that case, alternately p-doped and n-doped materials are used for the elements so that the voltages are added. The voltage generated in the thermoelectric element is approximately proportional to the temperature difference between the two ends. On the other hand, it is known that heat can be generated by passing an electric current through the thermoelectric material (Peltier effect), and thereby a heat pump operation can be realized.
For the prototype use of such a thermoelectric generator in the automotive field and its possible additional integration into a thermal management system for an exhaust gas duct, the journals MTZ (published April 2009) or ATZ (2010) Issued in April).
The prior art of exhaust gas aftertreatment is a three-way catalyst in the case of an Otto engine that is operated at a homogeneous λ = 1, and NOx storage in the case of an engine that is operated at a lean (λ> 1). Type catalyst. Three-way catalysts work continuously from the starting temperature and must be protected from overheating, depending on the installation location (near or far from the engine) and possibly by cooling measures, whereas occluded catalysts are discontinuous. This is characterized by the different operation modes (NOx occlusion and replacement of deNOx regeneration or deSOx regeneration). The various stages of this operation have different thermal requirements for their principle or optimal functional mode. For example, the two types of regeneration near a rich mixture condition require even the lowest temperature, while NOx occlusion during lean operation under good efficiency is approximately It is carried out in an intermediate temperature range from 250 ° C to 400 ° C. On the other hand, when this storage type catalyst exceeds another limit temperature, it is also affected by heat aging. This effect should be avoided accordingly. Since lean operation is more fuel efficient than homogeneous operation, efforts are being made to expand the lean operation region while reducing emissions sufficiently with occluded catalysts.
In the case of today's diesel engine, an oxidation catalyst equivalent to a three-way catalyst in terms of requirements and the NOx occlusion type catalyst already described in the case of an Otto engine are used. The diesel engine can only be operated advantageously in lean operation except for de-NOx regeneration / de-SOx regeneration, so the optimization of the occlusion area is a target that is not worthy from an emissions perspective.

  In the case of a diesel engine, in order to reduce NOx emissions, an SCR catalyst (SCR: Selektive katalytische Reduktion selective catalytic reduction) has come to be used instead of a NOx occlusion type catalyst. This catalyst is used to reduce NOx contained in the exhaust gas in a defined temperature range, so that the reducing agent into the exhaust gas duct in front of the SCR catalyst, generally urea / Requires injection of water mixture. In that case, in order to optimize the operation of the SCR catalyst, additionally, the defined NOx to NO ratio can be adjusted under the corresponding temperature among the oxidation catalysts arranged upstream. It is advantageous. Thermal constraints also arise in the case of SCR systems from the boundary conditions of the preparation of urea / water mixtures in the exhaust gas. When the exhaust gas temperature is low, there is a risk of poorly soluble deposition due to the wall paint, so that the injection can only be performed after the minimum temperature has been exceeded. Moreover, it is preferable that the decomposition of the deposit is performed within a certain temperature range.

Diesel particulate filters (DPF) have been standard in many automobile markets for several years, and also have a discontinuous mode of operation (filtering / regeneration). Must be done under boundary conditions (minimum temperature for soot incineration and avoidance of thermal damage). For the continuous form of regeneration, the cooperation with the oxidation catalyst during the production of NO ₂ is important, and this production of NO ₂ is also advantageously carried out within a certain temperature range. .

  In order to meet these various requirements for exhaust gas aftertreatment of Otto and diesel engines, for example, (post) injection, mixture overconcentration, choking or exhaust gas recirculation (AGR), etc. Extensive engine control measures have been introduced as a state of the art for automotive applications for the formation of air-fuel mixtures and for the adjustment of thermal boundary conditions (cooling or heating). Some of the heating measures are also embodied by additional devices (burners, electric heaters) in the exhaust gas system. However, none of the prior art has anything to do with the use of thermoelectric generators or, if any, only a few are found in the operating techniques of exhaust gas aftertreatment devices.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that can be fully incorporated into the thermal management of an exhaust gas aftertreatment facility using a thermoelectric generator.

The problems associated with the method are solved by Merckmar as claimed.

The problem relating to the apparatus of the present invention is that the operation state of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) can be taken into the heat management of the exhaust gas purification equipment in the engine control apparatus of the internal combustion engine or another control apparatus. The achievable heating power or cooling power of the engine, as well as the cooling power of its additional components, can be used for cooling the thermoelectric generator when controlling the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct or for controlling the exhaust gas purification equipment. It can be evaluated and the working mode of the thermoelectric generator as well as its additional components is solved by being pre-determined for cooling.
In the method according to the invention, the operating mode of the thermoelectric generator is taken into the temperature management of the exhaust gas purification equipment, in which the achievable heating or cooling output of the thermoelectric generator as well as the cooling output of its additional components are It is taken into account for the cooling of the thermoelectric generator in the control of the exhaust gas flow in or for the control of the exhaust gas purification equipment.

With the method according to the invention and with the corresponding device, in particular with respect to the overall system configuration of the exhaust gas purification equipment, which can achieve an optimum mounting position of the thermoelectric generator with respect to the components of the exhaust gas purification equipment, and There is a potential for improvement with respect to the full incorporation of all the thermoelectric generator operability into the thermal management of all exhaust aftertreatment equipment components. As a result, fuel efficiency can be increased even when the functions of the exhaust gas purification equipment are the same thanks to the complete incorporation of the TEG operation mode, or the performance of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system with respect to emission reduction can be improved. The advantage of is born. With such improvements, in some cases all additional equipment for heating / cooling can be omitted.

  For example, the cooling output of the thermoelectric generator during operation of the thermoelectric generator is deliberately used to reduce the temperature, or the specified maximum allowable temperature level in the exhaust gas duct under certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. Can be used to maintain the exhaust gas temperature at a lower level than under a TEG-less system under the same driving conditions under certain engine operating conditions. Thereby, for example, the storage area of the NOx storage catalyst can be extended to a higher load area, which is advantageous in terms of emissions, and in the case of an Otto engine, the area of lean operation is expanded, This is also advantageous in terms of fuel consumption. Similarly, catalyst-coated exhaust gas equipment components are protected from thermal damage. In the case of an Otto engine, depending on the case, the over-concentration of the air-fuel mixture for cooling can be suppressed or stopped at all. This creates fuel efficiency benefits. Indirectly, improved thermal protection results in improved emissions over the service life of the exhaust gas purification equipment.

  On the other hand, the heating output of the thermoelectric generator during the operation of the heat pump of the thermoelectric generator is also a specific operation of the internal combustion engine in order to increase the temperature intentionally or to achieve a certain minimum temperature in the exhaust gas, for example. Under certain circumstances, it can be used to maintain a defined minimum allowable temperature level in the exhaust gas duct.

  The alternation between the generator operation and the heat pump operation of the thermoelectric generator is advantageously used for controlling the regenerative operation mode, for example in the case of a particle filter or a NOx storage catalyst, so that a certain temperature range is obtained. Can be held. With this assisted thermal management part of the thermoelectric generator, the regeneration operation can be kept independent of the driving operation. Reliable and more complete execution of regeneration makes fueling benefits from avoiding multiple heating of exhaust gas equipment and faster preparation for systems that operate discontinuously for new storage phases It provides the effluent benefits obtained by trimming. Pure heat pump operation of TEGs for heating components of exhaust gas aftertreatment facilities, for example three-way catalysts, to reach the reaction start temperature earlier has already been proposed in the literature. The advantage of the proposed extended operating system is that the standard for TEG alternating heating measures and fuel consumption deterioration of bypass operation is created, so the optimal system depends on the driving situation and other boundary conditions The point is that it can be selected.

  A bypass valve is provided as an additional component of the thermoelectric generator for bypass operation, which is located in the exhaust gas duct in parallel with the thermoelectric generator, so that it can Excess exhaust gas flow is directed through the side of the electric generator. In addition or alternatively, another additional component may be provided with a cooling circuit that can cool the thermoelectric generator as necessary to optimize its efficiency or its electrical performance. Can be controlled to adjust the temperature of the exhaust gas purification equipment. This cooling circuit that exists for the TEG, alternatively or additionally, has only one heat exchanger placed directly in the exhaust gas stream to gain further possibilities of exhaust gas temperature management. Sometimes expanded.

  The built-in operation of the thermoelectric generator and exhaust gas aftertreatment is the optimal temperature at which at least one component of the exhaust gas purification equipment can be partially interrupted and partially exceeded during normal car operation. This mode of operation is particularly advantageous when requesting a belt, but this mode of operation provides the following for the temperature control of the exhaust gas purification equipment when operating the thermoelectric generator under the optimized mode of operation: At least one of the standards is used. These standards are as follows.

-Energy gain or energy consumption due to thermoelectric generator operation or heat pump operation;
-Reduction or increase in exhaust gas heat due to thermoelectric generator operation or heat pump operation;
-Reduction of exhaust gas temperature due to use of cooling output of cooling circuit,
-Reduction of exhaust gas purification equipment emissions according to temperature,
-Deterioration of fuel consumption due to heat pump operation (exhaust gas heating) of thermoelectric generator,
-Fuel consumption deterioration in alternative engines and / or due to additional exhaust gas heating measures (eg burners),
-Deterioration of fuel efficiency due to discontinuation of regenerative operation of exhaust gas purification equipment that operates discontinuously;-Improvement of fuel efficiency by extending the engine operation mode advantageous for fuel efficiency by heating measures or cooling measures.

  In another variant of the method, in the case of a plurality of exhaust gas purification equipment or in the case of a plurality of thermoelectric generators, a reference for several components of the exhaust gas purification equipment and / or thermoelectric generator and their additional components It is also conceivable to measure and evaluate the values separately. In this case, it is assumed that weighting values are given to these criteria using sequence control, and the operation modes of the components of the thermoelectric generator and the exhaust gas aftertreatment facility are selected based on the comprehensive evaluation.

  Thus, in a preferred variant of the device, a sequence control device comprising a signal measuring unit, a computing unit, an evaluation unit, a control unit and a control signal output device as components in an engine control device or another control device. Has been implemented. In doing so, the signal measurement unit can be used to measure measurement signals from sensors attached to the engine block, from thermoelectric generators and their load components, and from sensors attached to exhaust gas purification equipment. And a control signal output device can be used to control the actuators of the thermoelectric generator and of its additional components (cooling circuit, bypass = valve) and of the exhaust gas purification equipment in the engine block. In this case, the calculation of the operation standard is performed in the arithmetic unit, in which case, using the model for calculating the predictive operation value such as the emission, the exhaust gas temperature and the fuel consumption in addition to the sensor signal, Standards can be formed. The evaluation performed in the evaluation unit may include operating criteria for components of the engine and of at least one thermoelectric generator and of at least one exhaust gas aftertreatment facility. The application of weights to the criteria, and thus the evaluation, may depend on other boundary conditions such as driving conditions, component degradation status, and battery charge level. Control schemes for thermoelectric generators, cooling circuits, bypass valves, and exhaust gas aftertreatment facilities, as defined by the control unit, can be derived from the evaluation of weighted operating criteria, and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The goal is to optimize at the same time. At that time, the function of sequence control by those functional units described above can be implemented as hardware and / or software, in the control device or in the engine control device placed above it. . Furthermore, individual functional units may be grouped into more complex units.

  The TEG has a higher output as the temperature difference of the thermoelectric material increases with the generator operation. Thus, in a preferred variant of the device, the thermoelectric generator is arranged in front of the exhaust gas purification equipment, i.e. close to the engine as viewed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct. When a thermoelectric generator is installed in front of an exhaust emission reduction component of an exhaust gas system, the operation of the generator, which has the effect of extracting heat from the exhaust gas, is the emission of these components within the automotive / engine operating area. If the product reduction or its thermal stability is limited by reaching the maximum allowable exhaust gas temperature, or if a more favorable operating mode in terms of emissions can only be maintained up to the limit temperature, then it is Become. This is true in the case of coatings of catalysts which, after reaching the limit temperature, suffer from damage to the surface acting as a catalyst, such as in the case of three-way catalysts, oxidation catalysts and NOx storage catalysts. If the maximum temperature that depends on the coating material is exceeded during storage of the NOx storage catalyst under lean operation or during regeneration of the NOx storage catalyst under excessive operation, these The mode of operation must be terminated. As a result, for example, it is necessary to switch to a fuel-efficient driving. If the regeneration is interrupted and then restarted, the fuel consumption will deteriorate, or if the storage catalyst is not fully regenerated, the exhaust gas system will be used sufficiently to temporarily reduce emissions. I can't. When the maximum cooling capacity of the TEG when operating the generator is insufficient alone, in some cases in the exhaust gas flow between the TEG connected to the TEG cooling circuit and the components of the exhaust gas aftertreatment facility A heat exchanger support device may be advantageous.

  In the case of components in an exhaust gas system, where the exhaust emission test relies heavily on reaching the reaction start temperature in the occasional exhaust emission test, the thermoelectric generator is used to monitor the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct. If it is placed behind the exhaust gas purification equipment in the direction, or in front of the exhaust gas purification equipment as an additional component between the engine block and the exhaust gas purification equipment, the thermoelectric generator It is advantageous to have controllable bypass valves arranged in parallel with respect to each other. Another possibility is the operation of the TEG as a heat pump in the heating operation of the exhaust gas facility. The three-way catalyst (reaction start temperature) or the optimal NOx storage-type catalyst storage efficiency within a certain temperature range is again an example.

  Many emission reduction components of exhaust gas systems have both lower and upper temperature limits for their optimal operation. In this case, in order to optimize the use of the TEG and the exhaust gas aftertreatment facility, the TEG mounting position in front of this component, the TEG flexible operation method (generator and heat pump), and bypass control are necessary.

  The device according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for exhaust gas purification equipment made as a particle filter, a three-way catalyst or as a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst.

The preferred use, as already mentioned, of the method, including variations of the method, is intended for use in Otto engines or diesel engines.
The invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the embodiments illustrated below.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a thermoelectric generator in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine. FIG. 2 shows a thermoelectric generator in an alternative device in the exhaust gas duct. FIG. 3 shows a thermoelectric generator with additional components for reaching the optimum temperature range. FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a control device having a main functional unit in interaction with the components of the internal combustion engine.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal combustion engine 1 having an engine block 10 and an exhaust gas purification equipment 40 disposed in an exhaust gas duct 20. In the exhaust gas purification facility 40, the thermoelectric generator 30 is heated by hot exhaust gas on one side and the other side is directed outwardly before the exhaust gas purification facility 40 when viewed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow. Installed to have a lower temperature. As a result, as described at the beginning, electric energy can be obtained from the thermal energy contained in the exhaust gas. This device is therefore possible, especially from the temperature of the exhaust gas purification facility (exhaust gas aftertreatment facility) 40 being too high, when the thermoelectric generator 30 is operated with the generator operating and thereby extracting thermal energy from the exhaust gas. Suitable for protection from excessive thermal damage.

  The apparatus is also shown schematically in FIG. 2, but in this case, the thermoelectric generator 30 is exhausted in the exhaust gas duct 20 as viewed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow, as opposed to the case of FIG. It is arranged behind the gas purification facility 40. This arrangement is advantageous in that the lower limit temperature (reaction start temperature) can be reached because of the exhaust gas purification equipment 40, because the heat removal is performed during exhaust gas purification when the generator is operating. This is because the exhaust gas temperature before the facility 40 is not affected.

  FIG. 3 shows a modification of the apparatus. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 1, the thermoelectric generator 30 is connected to the exhaust gas duct 20 as viewed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow. It is arranged in front of the exhaust gas purification equipment 40 inside, in which case components for cooling the thermoelectric generator 30 are additionally installed. One of the additional components is a controllable bypass valve 60, which is arranged in parallel to the thermoelectric generator 30 between the engine block 10 and the exhaust gas purification equipment 40 and is connected to the thermoelectric generator 30. Used for protection. If the exhaust gas temperature is too high, this valve can be at least partially opened, thereby reducing the thermal load on the thermoelectric generator 30.

  Another component for protecting the thermoelectric generator 30 as well as for improving efficiency is a cooling circuit 50. The cooling circuit on the one hand serves to provide a larger temperature difference under generator operation and thereby a higher generator voltage. On the other hand, the cooling capacity provided by this circuit reduces the temperature of the exhaust gas, which may have a positive effect during certain operating modes of the exhaust gas purification facility 40.

  However, in order to raise the exhaust gas temperature before the exhaust gas purification equipment 40, it is considered that the bypass valve 60 is opened and the thermoelectric generator 30 is further operated as a heat pump, or only the bypass valve 60 is opened. It is done. This makes it possible, for example, to reach the minimum temperature (reaction initiation temperature) very quickly, which is necessary, for example, in the case of particle filters (DPF) under regeneration operation.

  In order to control this complex mode of operation, according to the present invention, a control device 70 is provided as schematically shown in FIG. 4 in conjunction with the device described in FIG.

  The operation state of the thermoelectric generator 30 can be taken into the temperature management of the exhaust gas purification equipment 40 by the control device 70, and at that time, the achievable heating performance or cooling performance of the thermoelectric generator 30 and the cooling of the thermoelectric generator 30. The cooling performance of the additional components can be evaluated during the control of the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct 20 or for the control of the exhaust gas purification equipment 40, and the operating mode of the thermoelectric generator 30 and its additional components is It can be set in advance for cooling.

  Sequence control is implemented in the control device 70, and the sequence control includes a signal measurement unit 71, an arithmetic unit 72, an evaluation unit 73, a control unit 74, and a control signal output device 75 as components. Yes. The signal measurement unit 71 can be used to determine measurement signals from the engine block 10, from the thermoelectric generator 30 and its additional components, and from the exhaust gas purification equipment 40. The control signal output device 75 can be used to control the engine block 10, the thermoelectric generator 30 and its additional components, and the actuators of the exhaust gas purification equipment 40, thereby including the exhaust gas aftertreatment equipment 40. The built-in operation method of the thermoelectric generator 30 can be realized.

  The function of sequence control can be implemented in the control device 70 as software or hardware. Furthermore, it can be considered that the function of sequence control is implemented in an engine control device or a vehicle control device arranged at a higher level.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internal combustion engine 10 Engine block 20 Exhaust gas duct 30 Thermoelectric generator 40 Exhaust gas purification equipment or exhaust gas post-processing equipment 50 Cooling circuit 60 Bypass valve 70 Control device 71 Signal measurement unit 72 Calculation unit 73 Evaluation unit 74 Control unit 75 Control signal output device

Claims (13)

The exhaust gas purification equipment in the exhaust gas duct (20) of the internal combustion engine (1), wherein at least one thermoelectric generator (30) is mounted in the exhaust gas duct (20) or in the exhaust gas purification equipment (40). (40) In the method for temperature control,
The mode of operation of the thermoelectric generator (30) is incorporated into the temperature management of the exhaust gas purification facility (40), and the achievable heating or cooling output of the thermoelectric generator (30) as well as that for cooling the thermoelectric generator (30). The temperature of the exhaust gas purification plant, characterized in that the cooling output of the additional component is taken into account when controlling the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct (20) or for the control of the exhaust gas purification plant (40) Way for management. The cooling output of the thermoelectric generator (30) during the generator operation of the thermoelectric generator (30) may be used to depress the exhaust gas duct (20 intentionally for temperature reduction or under certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine (1). The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is used to maintain a predetermined maximum allowable temperature level. The heating output of the thermoelectric generator (30) during the operation of the heat pump of the thermoelectric generator (30) may cause the exhaust gas duct (20) to deliberately raise the temperature or under certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine (1). The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is used to maintain a defined minimum temperature level. 4. The alternation between the generator operation and the heat pump operation of the thermoelectric generator (30) is used for controlling the regenerative operation mode, whereby the temperature range defined thereby is maintained. The method of crab. As an additional component of the thermoelectric generator (30), a bypass valve (60) is provided, which is arranged in the exhaust gas duct (20) in parallel with the thermoelectric generator (30). By means of this, an exhaust gas stream that is too hot when necessary is directed through the side of the electric generator (30) and / or a cooling circuit (50) for cooling the thermoelectric generator (30) as required is provided in the exhaust gas purification facility (40). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method is controlled to adjust the temperature of the water. In order to control the temperature of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40) when the thermoelectric generator (30) is operated, the following criteria are used:-Energy gain or energy consumption by generator operation or heat pump operation of the thermoelectric generator (30),
-Reduction or increase of exhaust gas heat due to the generator operation or heat pump operation of the thermoelectric generator (30),
-A reduction in exhaust gas temperature due to the use of the cooling output of the cooling circuit (50);
-Reduction of emissions from exhaust gas purification equipment (40) according to temperature,
-Deterioration of fuel consumption due to heat pump operation (exhaust gas heating) of the thermoelectric generator (30),
-Deterioration of fuel consumption due to exhaust gas heating measures in alternative engines and / or at least additional ones,
-Deterioration of fuel consumption due to interruption of the regeneration mode of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40) that operates discontinuously,
-Improvement of fuel economy by extending the engine operation mode that is advantageous in terms of fuel consumption by heating measures or cooling measures,
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the above is used. In the case of a plurality of exhaust gas purification facilities (40) or a plurality of thermoelectric generators (30), at least one of the exhaust gas purification facility (40) and the thermoelectric generator (30), and some of these additional components The method of claim 6, wherein criteria for the components are determined and evaluated separately. 8. The method according to claim 1, which is used in the case of an Otto engine or a diesel engine. At least one thermoelectric generator (30) is mounted in the exhaust gas duct (20) or in the exhaust gas purification facility (40),
Data on the operating state of the internal combustion engine (1) and the operating state of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40) are evaluated using the sensors of the engine control device, and measures in the engine or additional measures are introduced for adjusting the temperature of the exhaust gas. To be
In the apparatus for temperature control of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40) in the exhaust gas duct (20) of the internal combustion engine (1),
The operation mode of the thermoelectric generator (30) can be incorporated into the temperature control of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40) in the engine control device or in another control device (70).
The achievable heating or cooling power of the thermoelectric generator (30) as well as the cooling power of its additional components for cooling the thermoelectric generator (30) can be used in controlling the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas duct (20) or Can be evaluated for the control of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40),
An apparatus for temperature management of exhaust gas purification equipment, characterized in that the operating mode of the thermoelectric generator (30) and its additional components can be predetermined for cooling. The engine control device or the control device (70) includes, as components, a signal measurement unit (71), a calculation unit (72), an evaluation unit (73), a control unit (74), and a control signal output device (75). The sequence control is implemented,
The signal measurement unit (71) can be used to determine measurement signals from the engine block (10), from the thermoelectric generator (30) and its additional components, and from the exhaust gas purification facility (40),
The control signal output device (75) can be used to control the actuator of the engine block (10), of the thermoelectric generator (30) and its additional components, and of the exhaust gas purification equipment (40). The apparatus according to claim 9. The thermoelectric generator (30) is arranged in front of the exhaust gas purification facility (40) in the exhaust gas duct (20) when viewed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow. The device described. The thermoelectric generator (30) is disposed behind the exhaust gas purification facility (40) in the exhaust gas duct (20) in the direction of the exhaust gas flow, or the engine block (10) and the exhaust gas purification. In the case of being disposed in front of the exhaust gas purification facility (40) as an additional component between the facility (40), a controllable bypass valve (60) disposed in parallel to the thermoelectric generator (30) is provided. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device is provided. 13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust gas purification facility (40) is made as a particle filter, a three-way catalyst, an SCR catalyst or as a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst.

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