Exhaust treatment system and methods using the same

Abstract

An exhaust treatment system comprises an exhaust fluid source; a particulate filter disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the exhaust fluid source; a valve disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the particulate filter; and a reformer disposed in fluid communication with and downstream of the valve such that the valve is capable of directing exhaust fluid from the exhaust fluid source to the reformer.

1 . An exhaust treatment system comprising: 
 an exhaust fluid source;    a particulate filter disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the exhaust fluid source;    a valve disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the particulate filter; and    a reformer disposed in fluid communication with and downstream of the valve such that the valve is capable of directing exhaust fluid from the exhaust fluid source to the reformer.    
   
   
       2 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is in serial fluid communication with the particulate filter.  
   
   
       3 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a proportioning valve comprising a a valve body comprising an exhaust treatment port and a reformer port; 
 a shaft extending transversely across the valve body;    a first throttle plate disposed in operable communication with the shaft; and    a second throttle plate disposed in operable communication with the shaft, wherein the first throttle plate is capable of closing the reformer port and wherein the second throttle plate is capable of at least restricting fluid flow through the exhaust treatment port.    
   
   
       4 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 3 , further comprising an actuator disposed in operable communication with the shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 1 , further comprising an oxidation catalyst and a NO x  adsorber, each disposed upstream of the particulate filter.  
   
   
       6 . An exhaust treatment system comprising: 
 an exhaust fluid source;    a proportioning valve in fluid communication with the exhaust fluid source;    an exhaust treatment device disposed downstream of the proportioning valve; and    a reformer disposed in fluid communication with the proportioning valve, wherein the proportioning valve is capable of selectively directing exhaust fluid from the exhaust fluid source to both the reformer and the exhaust treatment device.    
   
   
       7 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 6 , wherein the proportioning valve further comprises a valve body comprising an exhaust treatment port and a reformer port; 
 a shaft extending transversely across the valve body;    a first throttle plate disposed in operable communication with the shaft; and    a second throttle plate disposed in operable communication with the shaft, wherein the first throttle plate is capable of closing the reformer port and wherein the second throttle plate is capable of at least restricting fluid flow through the exhaust treatment port.    
   
   
       8 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 7 , further comprising an actuator disposed in operable communication with the shaft.  
   
   
       9 . An exhaust treatment system comprising: 
 an exhaust fluid source;    an oxidation catalyst disposed downstream of and in direct fluid communication with the exhaust fluid source;    a NO x  adsorber disposed downstream of and in direct fluid communication with the oxidation catalyst;    a particulate filter disposed downstream of and in direct fluid communication with the NO x  adsorber;    a reformer disposed in selective fluid communication with at least one of the oxidation catalyst, the NO x  adsorber, and the particulate filter; and    a valve disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the particulate filter, and disposed in fluid communication the reformer such that the valve is capable of directing exhaust fluid from the exhaust fluid source to the reformer.    
   
   
       10 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is a proportioning valve comprising 
 a valve body comprising an exhaust treatment port and a reformer port;    a shaft extending transversely across the valve body;    a first throttle plate disposed in operable communication with the shaft; and    a second throttle plate disposed in operable communication with the shaft, wherein the first throttle plate is capable of closing the reformer port and wherein the second throttle plate is capable of at least restricting fluid flow through the exhaust treatment port.    
   
   
       11 . A method of treating an exhaust fluid, the method comprising: 
 passing an exhaust fluid through a particulate filter;    removing particulate matter from the exhaust fluid to produce a treated exhaust fluid; and    periodically directing a portion of the treated exhaust fluid to a reformer.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 reacting an oxygen containing species of the exhaust fluid with a fuel in the reformer to produce hydrogen gas;    selectively directing the hydrogen gas to a device, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of the particulate filter, a NO x  adsorber, an oxidation catalyst, and a combination of the foregoing; and    regenerating the device.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the periodically directing the portion of the exhaust fluid to the reformer comprises 
 passing the exhaust fluid through a reformer port of a proportioning valve body; and    passing the exhaust fluid through an exhaust treatment port of the proportioning valve body to direct a portion of the exhaust fluid to the device.    
   
   
       14 . A method of treating an exhaust fluid, the method comprising: 
 directing an exhaust fluid to a reformer during a regeneration mode of operation using a proportioning valve, wherein the proportioning valve is disposed upstream of and in fluid communication with the reformer;    directing the exhaust fluid to an exhaust treatment device during the regeneration mode of operation and during an exhaust treatment mode of operation using the proportioning valve; and    treating the exhaust fluid using the exhaust treatment device to remove a component from the exhaust fluid.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising 
 reacting an oxygen containing species of the exhaust fluid with a fuel in the reformer to produce hydrogen gas; and    directing the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell disposed in fluid communication with the reformer.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising 
 reacting an oxygen containing species of the exhaust fluid with a fuel in the reformer to produce hydrogen gas;    selectively directing the hydrogen gas to a device, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of the particulate filter, a NO x  adsorber, an oxidation catalyst, and a combination of the foregoing; and    regenerating the device