Oxidation of engine generated particulate matter utilizing exhaust manifold gases

Abstract

An improved system and method for treating exhaust emissions from a combustion engine is provided. The system provides improved arrangements for oxidizing particulate matter away from a particulate filter by utilizing elevated temperature exhaust manifold gases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for oxidizing particulate matter of an engine, the system comprising:
 a particulate matter oxidation system for oxidizing particulate matter output from the engine;   an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the particulate matter oxidation system, wherein exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold are used to oxidize particulate matter produced by the engine;   a settling tank in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold and the particulate matter oxidation system;   a particulate filter downstream from the particulate matter oxidation system for filtering particulate matter from at least one of the engine and the particulate matter oxidation system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the particulate matter oxidation system is a volume of the exhaust manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system includes a heating element for providing thermal energy to the particulate matter to convert the particulate matter from at least one of a solid and liquid phase to a gas phase gas capable of passing through the particulate filter. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein particulate matter is transported from the particulate filter to the particulate matter oxidation system via a non-thermal regeneration system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system includes a valve for controlling flow out of the exhaust manifold into the settling tank. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system includes an oxidation catalyst coated to the particulate matter oxidation system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the system further includes a high porosity filter between the heating element and an exhaust pipe of the engine to trap and assist in oxidizing the particulate matter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system further includes a second filter downstream from the high porosity filter for trapping ash and preventing the ash from reentering a main engine filter of the engine. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes a valve for controlling flow of high temperature manifold gases for oxidizing the particulate matter. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes an electric control module to control the flow of manifold gases into the particulate matter oxidation system. 
     
     
         11 . A method for oxidizing particulate matter of an engine, the method comprising the steps of:
 introducing particulate matter into a particulate matter oxidation system for oxidizing particulate matter output from the engine;   venting exhaust gases from an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the particulate matter oxidation system into the particulate matter oxidation system to oxidize particulate matter produced by the engine; and   filtering particulate matter from at least one of the engine and the particulate matter oxidation system via a particulate filter downstream from the particulate matter oxidation system.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the particulate matter oxidation system is a volume of the exhaust manifold. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the step of providing thermal energy to the particulate matter via a heating element to convert the particulate matter from at least one of a solid and liquid phase to a gas phase gas capable of passing through the particulate filter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein particulate matter is transported from the particulate filter to the particulate matter oxidation system via a non-thermal regeneration system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the step of controlling flow out of the exhaust manifold into a settling tank via a valve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the particulate matter oxidation system includes an oxidation catalyst coated thereto. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a high porosity filter is provided between the heating element and an exhaust pipe of the engine to trap and assist in oxidizing the particulate matter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a second filter is provided downstream from the high porosity filter for trapping ash and preventing the ash from reentering a main engine filter of the engine. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the step of controlling flow of high temperature manifold gases via a valve for oxidizing the particulate matter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an electric control module is provided to control the flow of manifold gases into the particulate matter oxidation system.