US5711147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plasma-assisted catalytic reduction system
Assignee: University of California
•
Filing: 1996-08-19
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Granted: 1998-01-27
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Expires: 2016-08-19
Abstract
Abstract Non-thermal plasma gas treatment is combined with selective catalytic reduction to enhance NO x reduction in oxygen-rich vehicle engine exhausts.
Inventors
- 👤 George E. Vogtlin
- 👤 Bernard T. Merritt
- 👤 Mark C. Hsiao
- 👤 P. Henrik Wallman
- 👤 Bernardino M. Penetrante
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:54
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/206; F01N3/2066; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/32; B01D53/323; B01D53/34; B01D53/92; B01D53/94; B01D53/9404; B01D53/9409; B01D53/9431; B01D53/9445; B01D53/9454; F01N13/00; F01N13/009; F01N13/0097; F01N3/02; F01N3/021; F01N3/023; F01N3/0231; F01N3/033; F01N3/035; F01N3/0892; F01N2240/00; F01N2240/28; F01N2570/00; F01N2570/14; F01N2610/00; F01N2610/02; F01N2610/03; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00; Y02A50/20; Y02C; Y02C20/00; Y02C20/10; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for NO x reduction in oxygen-rich vehicle engine exhausts, comprising: a first reactor means for non-thermal plasma gas treatment connected to receive a supply of hydrocarbons and an engine exhaust rich in oxygen and having NO, and connected to output a product of NO 2 that has been electric-plasma converted from said NO; and a second reactor means for selective catalytic reduction connected to receive-both said output of the first reactor means with said NO 2 and connected to receive said supply of hydrocarbons, and connected to output an exhaust with reduced NO x emissions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for NO x reduction in oxygen-rich vehicle engine exhausts, comprising: a first reactor means for non-thermal plasma gas treatment connected to receive a supply of hydrocarbons and an engine exhaust rich in oxygen and having NO, and connected to output a product of NO 2 that has been electric-plasma converted from said NO; and a second reactor means for selective catalytic reduction connected to receive-both said output of the first reactor means with said NO 2 and connected to receive said supply of hydrocarbons, and connected to output an exhaust with reduced NO x emissions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein: the first reactor means includes a plasma processor connected to receive a pulsed high voltage current from an electrical power supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1, wherein: the first reactor means includes a plasma processor having a central wire connected to receive a pulsed high voltage current from an electrical power supply and a body filled with beads positioned to collect and eliminate soot from said engine-exhaust.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1, wherein: the first reactor means includes a pre-processor having a central wire connected to receive a pulsed high voltage current from an electrical power supply and providing for the cracking of complex hydrocarbons to simpler hydrocarbon molecules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the first reactor means includes: a pre-processor having a central wire connected to receive a pulsed high voltage current from an electrical power supply and providing for the cracking of complex hydrocarbons to simpler hydrocarbon molecules. a plasma processor sharing said central wire and having a body filled with beads positioned to collect and eliminate soot from said engine exhaust.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein: the second reactor means further includes a bed of gamma alumina.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A vehicle with reduced NO x engine exhaust emissions, comprising: a fuel supply of hydrocarbons; an internal combustion engine connected to receive said fuel supply of hydrocarbons and to propel a vehicle, and having an oxygen-rich exhaust comprising NO; a first reactor means for non-thermal plasma gas treatment connected to receive an electrical supply, said fuel supply of hydrocarbons, and said oxygen-rich exhaust comprising NO, and connected to output therefrom a product of NO 2 that has been electric-plasma converted from said NO; and a second reactor means for selective catalytic reduction connected to receive said output of the first reactor means with said NO 2 and connected to receive said supply of hydrocarbons, and connected to output an exhaust with reduced NO x emissions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
A vehicle with reduced NO x engine exhaust emissions, comprising: a fuel supply of hydrocarbons; an internal combustion engine connected to receive said fuel supply of hydrocarbons and to propel a vehicle, and having an oxygen-rich exhaust comprising NO; a first reactor means for non-thermal plasma gas treatment connected to receive an electrical supply, said fuel supply of hydrocarbons, and said oxygen-rich exhaust comprising NO, and connected to output therefrom a product of NO 2 that has been electric-plasma converted from said NO; and a second reactor means for selective catalytic reduction connected to receive said output of the first reactor means with said NO 2 and connected to receive said supply of hydrocarbons, and connected to output an exhaust with reduced NO x emissions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |