Apparatus, system, and method for filtration of a dosing fluid in an exhaust aftertreatment system

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a filter for filtering a dosing fluid in an exhaust aftertreatment system. The filter may comprise a dosing tank configured to contain a dosing fluid, a filter media disposed within the dosing tank, and a support structure supporting the filter media to form a pathway for a flow of dosing fluid. Beneficially, the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention reduce the cost of operation and manufacture of the SCR system.

1 . A filter for filtering a dosing fluid in an exhaust aftertreatment system, the filter comprising:
 a dosing tank configured to contain a dosing fluid;   a filter media disposed within the dosing tank;   a support structure supporting the filter media to form a pathway for a flow of dosing fluid; and   a pump disposed within the dosing tank and within the filter, and is configured to operate on the dosing fluid after the dosing fluid passes through the filter media.   
     
     
         2 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is disposed at an outlet port of the dosing tank such that the dosing fluid travels through the filter media before or upon exiting the dosing tank. 
     
     
         3 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media is disposed at an inlet port of the dosing tank such that the dosing fluid travels through the filter media before or upon entering the dosing tank. 
     
     
         4 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to attach the filter to one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the dosing tank. 
     
     
         5 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media further comprises polymeric, melt-blown microfilaments having a substantially constant diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises one or more ribs disposed on the filter media. 
     
     
         7 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media comprises a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers having a unique and substantially constant porosity, the plurality of layers arranged such that the porosity decreases from an inlet of the filter to an outlet of the filter. 
     
     
         8 . The filter of  claim 7 , wherein the filter media comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, polyoxymethylene (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutelyne naphthalate (PBN), HD-Polypropylene, Polyfluorethylen, Polyvinylidenedifluoride, Poly(perfluoroalkoxy) PFA, Polyisobutylene, Viton, LD-Polyethylene, and HD-Polyethylene. 
     
     
         9 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter media comprises depth media. 
     
     
         10 . A system for filtering a dosing fluid in an exhaust aftertreatment system comprising:
 a dosing fluid for an exhaust aftertreatment system;   a dosing tank configured to contain the dosing fluid;   a filter comprising:
 a filter media disposed within the dosing tank such that the dosing fluid travels through the filter media before exiting the dosing tank; and 
 a support structure supporting the filter media to form a pathway for a flow of dosing fluid; 
   a pump configured to pump the dosing fluid after the dosing fluid passes through the filter media, the pump disposed within the dosing tank and within the filter; and   an injector configured to inject the dosing fluid into an exhaust stream.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the filter media is disposed within the dosing tank at an outlet port of the dosing tank such that the dosing fluid travels through the filter media before or upon exiting the dosing tank. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a heater configured to heat the dosing fluid and the filter media in the dosing tank. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dosing fluid is a mono-nitrogen oxide (NO x ) reducing agent. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dosing fluid is selected from the group consisting of urea, ammonia, and a hydrocarbon fuel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the filter media comprises a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers having a unique and substantially constant porosity, the plurality of layers arranged such that the porosity decreases from an inlet of the filter to an outlet of the filter. 
     
     
         16 . A dosing fluid filter apparatus comprising:
 a dosing fluid tank configured to contain a dosing fluid, the dosing fluid used in an exhaust aftertreatment system;   means disposed within the dosing fluid tank for filtering the dosing fluid;   means for supporting the means disposed within the dosing fluid tank for filtering the dosing fluid, the means for supporting forming a pathway for a flow of dosing fluid through the means disposed within the dosing fluid tank for filtering the dosing fluid; and   a means for pumping the dosing fluid from the dosing fluid tank after the dosing fluid passes through the means disposed within the dosing fluid tank for filtering the dosing fluid, the means for pumping is disposed within the dosing fluid tank and within the means disposed within the dosing fluid tank for filtering the dosing fluid.   
     
     
         17 . The dosing fluid filter apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for heating the dosing fluid within the dosing tank. 
     
     
         18 - 21 . (canceled)