Recharge device and method for NH3 cartridge
View Patent ↗A device and method relating to the storage and delivery of ammonia for use in an after-treatment device for NO x reduction in an exhaust stream, is disclosed. The device includes a cartridge having an ammonia adsorbing and desorbing material contained therein, and a recharging device for use in recharging the material with ammonia after the ammonia is released to a pre-determined level. The method includes providing a sealable cartridge having an interior, providing a predetermined amount of an ammonia-containing material within the interior of the container, positioning a recharging device within the interior of the sealable cartridge, releasing ammonia gas from the ammonia-containing material into an after-treatment device for use in the exhaust system of a vehicle for the reduction of NO x , introducing liquid ammonia into the recharging device, and recharging the ammonia-containing material for re-use in the exhaust system.
1. An assembly for storing and recharging ammonia for use in the treatment of NO x in an exhaust stream, the assembly comprising:
a cartridge having an interior space;
a compacted ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material stored within the interior space of the cartridge; and,
a recharging element positioned within the interior space of the cartridge and the ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is a cylinder.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material comprises a metal-ammine salt.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material comprises a metal-ammine salt dispersed with a heat absorbing metal.
5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the metal-ammine salt comprises strontium chloride.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material is rechargeable.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recharging element is centrally located within the interior space of the cartridge.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recharging element is a tube.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recharging element is a spiral.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recharging element has a length equal to a length of the cartridge.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recharging element comprises a plurality of openings along its length.
12. A method for recharging an ammonia-containing material, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a sealable cartridge having an interior;
providing a predetermined amount of the material capable of adsorbing and desorbing ammonia within the interior of the cartridge;
positioning a recharging device within the interior of the sealable cartridge and through the material;
heating the material;
releasing ammonia gas from the material into an after-treatment device-for use in the reduction of NO x in an exhaust stream of a vehicle;
reducing the ammonia gas from material from an original saturation level to a pre-determined level;
introducing liquid ammonia into the recharging device; and,
recharging the material with ammonia.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises re-using the cartridge with the recharged material in the reduction of NO x in an exhaust stream.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the recharging device comprises a plurality of openings along a length thereof.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of positioning the recharging device further comprises centrally locating the recharging device within the cartridge.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of positioning the recharging device further comprises passing the device centrally through the material.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of recharging the material comprises introducing liquid ammonia through the recharging device.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of recharging further comprises saturating the material to a re-usable level with the liquid ammonia.
19. A method for reusing a material capable of adsorbing and desorbing ammonia
for use in the reduction of NOx in an exhaust stream, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sealable canister having an interior;
providing a predetermined amount of an ammonia-containing material within the interior of the canister;
positioning a recharging element having a plurality of openings along a length thereof within the interior of the sealable canister and through the ammonia-containing material;
applying heat to the ammonia-containing material and desorbing ammonia gas from the
material to a pre-determined level and into an after-treatment device;
introducing liquid ammonia into the recharging element;
infusing the liquid ammonia from the openings of the recharging element into the ammonia-containing material;
recharging the ammonia-containing material with the liquid ammonia to a usable saturation level; and,
re-using the recharged ammonia-containing material in the after-treatment device.