Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Michael S Englund

Joseph C Hafele

Dwain C Schulze, Jr

Melvin L Eilers

A system for obtaining samples of the exhaust of a combustor for subsequent constituent level analysis and a method of determining constituent levels. The system includes inlets (10,26) for alternately delivering exhaust or ambient air to the system. System outlets (56,58) are sealingly coupled to sample receiving and collecting containers (60,62) and a pump (32) is connected to the inlets (10,26) to pressurize gases entering the system. The pump has an outlet (32) to an air cooled heat exchanger (38) which is cooled by a fan (40) to condense water vapor in the gases. The heat exchanger is connected by plumbing (48,50,52,64,66) to the system outlets (56,58) and a chemical gas dryer (54) may be connected in the system when ambient air is entering the system inlet (26). The method of analyzing the exhaust includes the steps of partially filling a sample collecting container with dried air and thereafter directing the exhaust to be analyzed into the sample collecting container. The sample is subsequently measured to determine the volumetric levels of at least two constituents and thereafter, the Fuel Specific basis of one of the constituents is calculated utilizing the data obtained in the step of measuring and the normal volumetric level of the other constituent in ambient air.

System for obtaining exhaust samples and analyzing the same

A system for obtaining samples of the exhaust of a combustor for subsequent constituent level analysis and a method of determining constituent levels. The system includes inlets (10,26) for alternately delivering exhaust or ambient air to the system. System outlets (56,58) are sealingly coupled to sample receiving and collecting containers (60,62) and a pump (32) is connected to the inlets (10,26) to pressurize gases entering the system. The pump has an outlet (36) to an air cooled heat exchanger (38) which is cooled by a fan (40) to condense water vapor in the gases. The heat exchanger is connected by plumbing (48,50,52,64,66) to the system outlets (56,58) and a chemical gas dryer (54) may be connected in the system when ambient air is entering the system inlet (26). The method of analyzing the exhaust includes the steps of partially filling a sample collecting container with dried air and thereafter directing the exhaust to be analyzed into the sample collecting container. The sample is subsequently measured to determine the volumetric levels of at least two constituents and thereafter, the Fuel Specific basis of one of the constituents is calculated utilizing the data obtained in the step of measuring and the normal volumetric level of the other constituent in ambient air.

An apparatus (10) and method for producing a gas having a controlled water vapor content is disclosed. Present methods of adding varying amounts of water to a gas containing nitric oxide may undesirably alter the composition of the gas. The present invention solves the above problem by providing an apparatus (10) and method for substantially fully saturating an unconditioned gas, subsequently removing water from a preselected portion of the saturated gas, and then mixing the preselected dry and saturated portions of the gas. The present invention is particularly useful in calibrating exhaust emission analyzers.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Michael S Englund