Method and arrangement for reducing particulate load in an egr cooler

Abstract

Method and arrangement for cleaning an EGR cooler of an exhaust gas recirculation system by detecting an excessive particulate accumulation condition in the EGR cooler and causing liquid-state moisture to be introduced in the EGR cooler thereby enabling a reduction of the excessive particulate accumulation from the EGR cooler. One embodiment of the present invention provides for locating a first temperature sensor after an EGR cooler of an exhaust gas recirculation system at a suitable location to detect an exit-temperature of exhaust gas leaving the EGR cooler and a second temperature sensor at a suitable location to detect a temperature of available coolant for the EGR cooler, arranging the first and second temperature sensors in communication with an automated controller adapted to execute a cleaning routine that affects a periodic reduction of particulate accumulation in the EGR cooler, and executing the cleaning routine, responsive to instructions from the automated controller, when the first temperature sensor has detected an over-threshold temperature condition and the second temperature sensor has detected an under-threshold temperature condition.