Power system having additive injector

Abstract

A power system is provided. The power system includes a power source configured to generate a flow of exhaust including particulate matter. The power system also includes a fuel supply line connecting a fuel supply and the power source, and being configured to direct a fuel flow from the fuel supply to the power source. An additive injector is configured to inject an additive into the fuel flow. An ionization device is at least partially disposed within the flow of exhaust, and is configured to apply a charge to the particulate matter and the additive. A particulate filter is configured to remove the particulate matter and the additive from the flow of exhaust.

1 . A power system, comprising:
 a power source configured to generate a flow of exhaust including particulate matter;   a fuel supply line connecting a fuel supply and the power source, and being configured to direct a fuel flow from the fuel supply to the power source;   an additive injector configured to inject an additive into the fuel flow;   an ionization device at least partially disposed within the flow of exhaust, and being configured to apply a charge to the particulate matter and the additive; and   a particulate filter configured to remove the particulate matter and the additive from the flow of exhaust.   
     
     
         2 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the additive injector is located upstream of the power source. 
     
     
         3 . The power system of  claim 1 , further including:
 an additive supply; and   a pump configured to draw the additive from the additive supply and direct the additive to the additive injector.   
     
     
         4 . The power system of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is an iron-based additive. 
     
     
         5 . The power system of  claim 1 , further including a sensor in fluid communication with the flow of exhaust and being configured to measure a parameter of the flow of exhaust. 
     
     
         6 . The power system of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor, and the parameter is at least a temperature of the flow of exhaust or a pressure of the flow of exhaust. 
     
     
         7 . The power system of  claim 1 , further including a load sensor associated with the particulate filter and being configured to measure a load of the particulate matter. 
     
     
         8 . The power system of  claim 1 , further including a first charging device associated with the ionization device and being configured to provide the charge applied to the particulate matter and the additive. 
     
     
         9 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the charge applied to the particulate matter and the additive is a first charge, the power system further including a second charging device associated with the particulate filter, and being configured to apply a second charge to the particulate filter. 
     
     
         10 . The power system of  claim 9 , further including a controller associated with the additive injector and being configured to control the injection of the additive into the fuel flow. 
     
     
         11 . The power system of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the first and second charges. 
     
     
         12 . A method of removing particulate matter from a flow of exhaust, comprising:
 directing a flow of fuel into a power source;   injecting an additive into the flow of fuel;   combusting the fuel to produce the flow of exhaust, wherein the flow of exhaust includes the particulate matter and the additive;   applying a like charge to the particulate matter and the additive; and   directing the flow of exhaust through a particulate filter.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including controlling the injection of the additive based on a parameter associated with the flow of exhaust. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the parameter is indicative of at least one of a temperature of the flow of exhaust and a pressure of the flow of exhaust. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further including controlling the injection of the additive based on a load of the particulate matter within the particulate filter. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further including applying a charge to the particulate filter, the charge applied to the particulate filter having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the like charge applied to the particulate matter and the additive. 
     
     
         17 . A machine, comprising:
 a power source configured to combust fuel and generate a flow of exhaust including particulate matter;   a fuel supply line configured to direct a fuel flow from a fuel supply to the power source;   an additive injector configured to inject an additive into the fuel flow;   an ionization device at least partially disposed within the flow of exhaust, and being configured to apply a first charge having a first polarity to the particulate matter and the additive;   a particulate filter configured to remove the particulate matter and the additive from the flow of exhaust; and   a charging device configured to apply a second charge to the particulate filter, the second charge having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity.   
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the additive injector is located upstream of the power source. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 17 , wherein the additive is an iron-based additive. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 17 , further including:
 at least one sensor in fluid communication with the flow of exhaust and being configured to measure a parameter of the flow of exhaust;   at least one sensor associated with the particulate filter and being configured to measure a parameter of the particulate filter; and   a controller associated with the additive injector and being configured to control the injection of the additive into the fuel flow based on at least one of the parameter of the flow of exhaust and the parameter of the particulate filter.