Low energy regeneration system for particulate trap for an internal combustion engine

TLDR: In this paper, an apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine which emits hydrocarbons and particulates is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a heat exchange and syphon means to conduct a separate syphoned flow of exhaust gas from the primary exhaust conduit around the heat exchanger to each of the traps.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine which emits hydrocarbons and particulates is disclosed. The apparatus is for use with an engine having a primary exhaust conduit, a flow divider defining parallel exhaust conduits connected to the primary exhaust conduit, and a pair of particulate traps, one each disposed in each of the parallel exhaust conduits and each of said traps having a frontal face exposed to the exhaust gas flow and one of the parallel exhaust conduits. The apparatus comprises (a) a heat exchange means disposed in the primary exhaust conduit for reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases for promoting partial condensation of hydrocarbons; (b) syphon means to conduct a separate syphoned flow of exhaust gas from the primary exhaust conduit around the heat exchanger to the frontal face of each of the traps; (c) a pair of valves, each responsive to a pressure differential between the primary exhaust conduit and a different parallel exhaust conduit to separately control each flow of the exhaust gas through said syphon means; (d) flow control means for selectively promoting pressure differential between one of the parallel exhaust conduits and a primary exhaust conduit while dissipating any significant pressure difference between the primary exhaust conduit and the other parallel exhaust conduit; and (e) means to augment the heat of the syphoned exhaust gas to facilitate ignition of the collected particles at the frontal face of a trap exposed to such exhaust gas.