Ammonia Slip Estimation Based On ASC Control-Oriented Modelling and OBD Nox Sensor Cross-Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract The incoming emission regulations for internal combustion engines are gradually introducing new pollutant species, which requires greater complexity of the aftertreatment systems concerning layout, control, and diagnostics. This is the case of ammonia, which is injected into the exhaust gas through urea injections for NOx abatement in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems and can also be generated in three-way catalysts. However, ammonia slip requires its oxidation on a dedicated ammonia slip catalyst (ASC). The set composed of the urea injection system, SCR, and ASC requires control tools to ensure high NOx conversion efficiency and compliant ammonia slip under real driving conditions. These tasks are based on the use of NOx sensors ZrO2 pumping cell-based, which has the disadvantage of high cross-sensitivity to ammonia that can affect the measurement of NOx and compromise the SCR-ASC control strategies. The present work proposes a methodology to predict ammonia and NOx tailpipe emissions. For this purpose, a control-oriented ASC model was developed to use its ammonia slip prediction to determine the cross-sensitivity correction of the tailpipe NOx sensor. The model is based on a simplified solution of the transport equations of the species involved in the ASC reaction mechanism. The model was calibrated using steady- and quasi-steady-state tests performed in a Euro 6c engine. Finally, the performance of the proposed methodology to predict NOx and ammonia emissions was evaluated against experimental data corresponding to Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles (WLTC) applying different urea dosing strategies.