EGR catalyzation with reduced EGR heating

Abstract

One embodiment is a unique system of EGR catalyzation with reduced EGR heating. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

1 . A system comprising:
 an EGR cooler operable to receive EGR gas at a first temperature and output EGR gas at a second temperature, the first temperature being greater than the second temperature; and   a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit configured to intake EGR gas at an intake and output EGR gas at an output;   wherein the EGR cooler and the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit are flow coupled and the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit is positioned upstream of the EGR cooler.   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit is operable to catalyze hydrocarbon cracking. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit includes a solid acid catalyst. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit includes a zeolite catalyst composition. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit is operable to catalyze a reaction of hydrocarbons without increasing the temperature of EGR gas within the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit is operable to catalyze a reaction of hydrocarbons while increasing the temperature of EGR gas within the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit by less than about 10 degrees centigrade. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1  further comprising an internal combustion engine and an exhaust manifold, the exhaust manifold being in fluid communication with the intake of the substantially non-oxidizing catalyst unit. 
   
   
       8 . A system comprising:
 an engine;   an EGR conduit flow coupled to the engine to receive exhaust gas therefrom;   means for reducing molecular weight of hydrocarbon molecules in exhaust gas flow coupled to the EGR conduit; and   means for cooling the EGR flow coupled to the means for reducing molecular weight of hydrocarbon molecules in exhaust gas.   
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein the means for cooling the EGR includes an engine coolant cooled EGR cooler. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein the means for reducing molecular weight of hydrocarbon molecules in exhaust gas includes a zeolite catalyst 
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein the means for reducing molecular weight of hydrocarbon molecules in exhaust gas includes a hydrocarbon cracking catalyst. 
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein the means for reducing molecular weight of hydrocarbon molecules in exhaust gas includes a solid acid catalyst. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein the engine is a diesel engine. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 8  further comprising a vehicle wherein the diesel engine is configured to be the prime mover of the vehicle. 
   
   
       15 . A method comprising:
 operating an internal combustion engine to produce exhaust including one or more hydrocarbon compounds;   treating a portion of the exhaust with a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst effective to reduce the molecular weight of the one or more hydrocarbon compounds;   cooling the portion of the exhaust; and   providing the portion of the exhaust to an intake of the internal combustion engine.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the treating a portion of the exhaust with a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst effective to reduce the molecular weight of the one or more hydrocarbon compounds includes a hydrocarbon cracking reaction. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the treating a portion of the exhaust with a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst effective to reduce the molecular weight of the one or more hydrocarbon compounds includes exposing the one or more hydrocarbon compounds to a hydrocarbon cracking catalyst. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the treating a portion of the exhaust with a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst effective to reduce the molecular weight of the one or more hydrocarbon compounds includes exposing the one or more hydrocarbon compounds to a solid acid catalyst. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the treating a portion of the exhaust with a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst effective to reduce the molecular weight of the one or more hydrocarbon compounds includes exposing the one or more hydrocarbon compounds to a zeolite catalyst. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the treating a portion of the exhaust with a substantially non-oxidizing catalyst occurs in a single catalyst unit positioned upstream from an EGR cooler.