WO2006014117A2

WO2006014117A2 - Improved exhaust gas oxidizer for an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: WO2006014117A2
Application number: PCT/PH2005/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edgar Villa
Original assignee: Edgar Villa
Priority date: 2004-08-03
Filing date: 2005-07-29
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Also published as: WO2006014117A3

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling exhaust gas emission, adapted to be connected to suitable location on the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a housing being capable of allowing entry and discharge of exhaust gases coming from the combustion chamber, characterized in that a gas flow controlling means and gas reaction chamber disposed in said housing, and air passage means provided in said housing and in communication with said gas reaction chamber wherein atmospheric air is capable of entering therein, said gas flow controlling means being capable of accelerating the flow speed of the exhaust gases passing therein before entering the gas reaction chamber, thereby drawing out and scavenge unburned fuel and carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and draws atmospheric air into the air passage means due to partial vacuum formed in the flow controlling means, relief means provided in said gas f1ow controlling means being capable of allowing passage of same portions of the said exhaust gases to minimize pressure build-up therein, and said gas reaction chamber being capable of allowing entry of atmospheric air coming from air passage means, such that oxidizing reaction between the hot gases and air occurs, which, causes the hot gases to be converted into environment-friendly gases before discharging it to the atmosphere characterized in that a catalyst is provided in the reaction chamber to ensure effective oxidation of noxious components,

Description

IMPROVED EXHAUST GAS OXIDIZER FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION

ENGINE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates generally to treatment of gas emission and more specifically to an improved exhaust gas oxidizer for controlling gas emission of an internal combustion engine for improving its performance and reducing the levels of nitrous oxide (NO) , hydrocarbons (HC) , carbon monoxide (CO) , and other noxious components in the exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine to permissible level .

Well-known gas emission control systems and devices are already known having the main purpose of cleaning exhaust gas and prevent air pollution. Catalytic converters, resonators and mufflers are good examples of this gas emission control systems and devices. Such conventional exhaust systems was engineered and designed primarily to suppress and deaden the loud sound of bursting exhaust emanating from the combustion of the engine, while just a small percentage of pollution control technology is in place. Although these conventional exhaust systems are widely accepted, however, it is an established fact the emission of noxious gases still exists in all internal combustion engines' exhaust, polluting the environment in an alarming proportion. This has been, and is always attributed to the unburned hydrocarbons from the petrol- based fuel used.

Although these systems and devices have been proven to somehow achieve their pollution control objective, most of them have been unacceptable due to production cost manufacturing difficulty and lack of reliability in operation. The aforesaid anti-pollution devices utilize complicated components and employ the method of removing the pollutants in exhaust gases by heating. While such method appears to have promising development in removing pollutants, the structure of such devices is too complicated and is quite costly to manufacture.

Philippine Patent No. 2866 issued to Adolfo Alegre discloses a post-combustion device that allows the current of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine to pass a flow controlling means, which is preferably a plurality of Venturis, such that the speed of gas flow is accelerated; thus, causing the unburned gas fumes within the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to be drawn out. Such occurrence results in all the leftover wastes (unburned fuel) and carbon deposits to be scavenged and dispersed out during the exhaust stroke of the engine and the subsequent intake of fresh fuel into the combustion chambers is assured to be in its ideal mixture or in its homogenous state of "stoichiometric" air-fuel ratio for efficient, full power combustion. The resulting effect of the exhaust emission's increased velocity flow passing through the exhaust piping system, causes partial vacuum in the venturi, which automatically draws-in atmospheric air in the treatment chamber. At this stage, oxygen from the induced air reacts to the hot gases of the exhaust in the treatment chamber such that oxidation of the unburned hydrocarbons takes place/ thus, resulting in disassociation or conversion of the noxious gases into harmless carbon dioxide, water and traces of nitrogen before being discharge into the atmosphere.

However, while such device appears to have promising development in removing pollutants, it can be noted that a small amount of nitrous oxide (NO) , hydrocarbons (HC) , carbon monoxide (CO) , and other noxious components are still present in the gas outlet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved exhaust gas oxidizer that would significantly reduce or eliminate pollutants in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine by providing a catalyst that would ensure a higher available oxygen (O₂) for the combustion -of noxious components in the reaction chamber. In addition to the oxygen (O2) left unburned from the exhaust after combustion this will allow to adjust the gas oxygen (Oo) ratio to optimal levels. Thus, improving the efficiency of combustion and this will simplify the computerized fuel injection systems as synchronized with the with oxygen (O2) sensor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved exhaust gas oxidizer for controlling gas emission from an internal combustion engine wherein the structural feature of the apparatus are very simple and yet can effectively perform its intended purpose.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved exhaust gas oxidizer for controlling gas emission from an internal combustion engine wherein the presence of a catalyst plus simple indiicted fresh air containing extra oxygen (O2) of unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust and will lower the cost of production of emission system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved exhaust gas oxidizer with its simplicity and adaptation with regards to its installation to a conventional vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be realized upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the device holding the catalyst,

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the present apparatus showing the second embodiment of the catalyst holder,

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional exhaust system of an internal combustion engine utilizing the present invention, and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing the air passage and the position of the catalyst. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an improved exhaust gas oxidizer for controlling emission of an internal combustion engine E generally designated as 10, adapted to be connected to a conventional exhaust system 5, preferably at its tail end as shown in Figure 3. Said improved exhaust gas oxidizer 10 comprising a housing 11 having a gas inlet P on one end and gas outlet H provided at the other end. Provided within housing 11 is gas flow controlling means 12, gas reaction chamber 13 in communication with said gas flow controlling means 12, and atmospheric air passage means 14 in communication with said gas reaction chamber 13. Air passage means 14 is preferably a hollow section encompassing the gas flow controlling means 12 and gas reaction chamber, with its outer open end being capable of allowing atmospheric air to enter therein as shown in Figure 4. Gas flow controlling means 12 being capable of accelerating the flow speed of exhaust gases coming from the engine, to facilitate scavenging or drawing out leftover wastes (unburned fuel) and carbon deposits in the combustion chamber during the exhaust stroke of the engine, thereby the subsequent intake of fresh fuel into the combustion chamber is ideally suited for perfect and efficient combustion. Said gas flow controlling means 12 comprises a primary and secondary venturi 17 and 18. Primary venturi 17 having its inlet end confronting the gas inlet, and a plurality of gas relief means 19 provided in its peripheral wall being capable of allowing some portions of the gases to pass through, thereby minimizing choking effect which may result in back pressure when the gas enters the primary venturi. The shape or contour of the relief means 19 may be in a predetermined shape capable of deflecting the gas flow path and create a swirling gas motion effect. The relief means 19, as herein described is shown in the form of a plurality of holes, such that the gases flow directly and steadily to the gas reaction chamber. To provide a much more effective air/gas reaction, a portion of the peripheral wall of these holes maybe crimp or altered such that their configured shapes are capable of deflecting the gas passing thereto and create a swirling effect as the gases enter the reaction chamber. Such swirling effect contributes to a speedy oxidation of the exhaust gases in the gas chamber. The secondary venturi 18, which is encompassing venturi 17, is provided to further control and maintains the gas flow in its accelerated speed. In communication with the gas flow controlling means 12 is the gas reaction chamber 13 having a constricted section 21 in communication with said gas flow controlling means and its broader section in communication with the gas outlet H. A plurality of air inlet means 22 provided on said gas reaction chamber 13 and in communication with air passage means 14 such that the atmospheric air coming from the air passage means 14 is capable of entering the gas reaction chamber 13. To ensure a much lower emission or absence of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (NO), hydrocarbons (HC), and other noxious components, a catalyst 23 in the form of beads preferably coated with platinum and/or palladium

(state of the art) or other known catalysts is provided in the gas reaction chamber 13. Welded on the inner walls of the gas reaction chamber 13 is a cylindrical device 24 having hollow walls 25 where said catalyst 23 is to be provided. Said hollow wall 25 of said cylindrical device 24 is being provided with plurality of holes 26. Another embodiment of said device is in a form of tubes 27 where the catalyst 23 is to be provided with its sidewall being provided with holes 26.

In operation, the exhaust gases coming from the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine enters apparatus 10 through exhaust system S. The flow speed o the exhaust gases is accelerated tremendously as it enters the gas flow-controlling means 12 due to venturi effect being facilitated by the primary and secondary venturi. The increase in the flow of exhaust gases causes the leftover waste (unburned fuel) and carbon deposits in the combustion .chamber to be drawn out and capable of being treated for clean air conversion together with the exhaust gases. As the gases flow freely towards the constricted end of the Venturis, some of it is made to pass through the relief means 19 of the primary venturi to hasten the pressure build up in the gas flow-controlling means. Venturi 18, which is preferably of greater length and disposed in a manner wherein it is encompassing venturi 17, facilitates the maintenance of the accelerated flow speed of the exhaust gases until it reaches the gas reaction chamber. As the flow of exhaust gases enters the flow controlling means, partial vacuum builds up therein such that atmospheric air is drawn into the air passage means, which is then introduced in the reaction chamber through air inlet means 22. The presence of a catalyst 23, which is in the form of, preferably beads coated with platinum or palladium or rhodium or other known catalysts or combinations thereof, will ensure a more effective oxidation by increasing the temperature at the gas reaction chamber 13. At this point, oxygen from the drawn air reacts with the hot exhaust gases and oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons occurs, which results in the conversion of these noxious gases into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and traces of Nitrogen, as they are expelled out in the atmosphere through gas outlet H.

The herein apparatus can be installed in any suitable location in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine or can be incorporated and be an integral part of a muffler structure, or resonator and the like.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example with reference to the drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and therefore is already obvious and falls within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. An improved exhaust gas oxidizer for controlling exhaust gas emission, comprising a housing being capable of allowing entry and discharge of exhaust gases coming from the , combustion chamber, characterized in that a gas flow controlling means and gas reaction chamber disposed in said housing, and air passage means provide in said housing and in communication with said gas reaction chamber wherein atmospheric air is capable of entering therein, said gas flow controlling means being capable of accelerating the flow speed of the exhaust gases passing therein before entering the gas reaction chamber, thereby drawing out and scavenge unburned fuel and carbon deposits in the combustion chamber and draws atmospheric air into the air passage means due to partial vacuum formed in the flow controlling means, relief means provided in said gas flow controlling means being capable of allowing passage of some portions of the said exhaust gases to minimize pressure build-up therein, and said gas reaction chamber being capable of allowing entry of atmospheric air coming from air passage means and hot exhaust gases coming from the gas flow controlling means, such that oxidizing reaction between the hot gases and air occurs therein, which causes the hot gases to be converted into environment-friendly gases before discharging it to the atmosphere characterized in that a catalyst is provided in the reaction chamber to ensure effective oxidation of noxious components.

2. An improved exhaust gas oxidizer according to claim 1 wherein said catalyst is in the form of platinum beads .

3. An improved exhaust gas oxidizer according to claim 1 wherein said catalyst increases the temperature present in the reaction chamber.

4. An improved exhaust oxidizer according to claim 1 wherein said catalyst is being provided in the hollow walls of a cylindrical device welded in the inner walls of said reaction chamber.

5. Ati improved exhaust gas oxidizer according to claim 1 wherein said catalyst is being provided inside a tube welded in the inner walls of said reaction chamber. •