Exhaust gas treatment apparatus

The present invention is characterized in that a casing 2 connected to an exhaust system 8, a honeycomb filter 3 placed in the inside of the casing 2, the honeycomb filter having a plurality of cells partitioned by partition walls, and plasma generation electrodes 6 placed being faced each other by sandwiching the honeycomb filter there are included, particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas is collected by the honeycomb filter 3, nitrogen monoxide contained in the exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by nonthermal plasma generated between a pulse electrode 4 and an earth electrode 5 constituting the plasma generation electrodes 6, combustible materials in the particulate matter collected and deposited on the surface of the partition walls are removed through oxidation by the nitrogen dioxide produced. As a result, the honeycomb filter 3 can be regenerated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment apparatus capable of highly precisely collecting particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas with a honeycomb filter, removing combustible materials in the collected particulate matter simply by oxidation at low energy, and regenerating the honeycomb filter. In addition, the exhaust gas treatment apparatus can be miniaturized compared with a known exhaust gas treatment apparatus through the use of nonthermal plasma.

BACKGROUND ART

As regulations on exhaust gases are stepped up in emission of combustion gases generated from heat engines, e.g., internal combustion engines, or combustion apparatus, e.g., boilers, through exhaust systems, improvements are performed on the incineration of engines, for example, compositions of fuels are improved. On the other hand, exhaust gases emitted from the above-described internal combustion engines and the like are cleaned by using exhaust gas treatment apparatus provided with filters and the like. In particular, with respect to diesel engines of automobiles, exhaust gas treatment apparatus provided with porous honeycomb filters are used in order to collect and remove particulate matter, e.g., soot, contained in exhaust gases.

As shown inFIG. 19, the above-described honeycomb filter has a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cells82partitioned by partition walls81to serve as filter flow paths of an exhaust gas are included and these cells82are plugged alternately at an exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface83and an exhaust-gas-outlet-side end surface84. The exhaust gas is flowed into the honeycomb filter80through cells82opened at the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface83, and is forced to pass through the partition walls81in the honeycomb filter80, so that particulate matter in the exhaust gas is collected and removed.

When large amounts of particulate matter is deposited on the surface of the partition walls81of such a honeycomb filter80, the pressure drop of the honeycomb filter80is increased, and the performance of an engine may be reduced since a back pressure is applied to the exhaust system on the engine side. Therefore, the particulate matter deposited on the surface of the partition walls81must be periodically removed to regenerate the above-described honeycomb filter80.

Examples of methods for regenerating the honeycomb filter80can include a method in which the particulate matter is burnt off by using an electric heater, an afterburner, or the like. However, in this case, the honeycomb filter must be heated to at least 600° C. and, thereby, nonuniform temperature distribution tends to occur in the inside of the honeycomb filter80subjected to rapid temperature change or local heat generation. As a result, the honeycomb filter80may be damaged.

Consequently, an exhaust gas treatment apparatus has been proposed, in which NO contained in an exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust gas treatment apparatus is oxidized to NO2having a high oxidation ability before the exhaust gas flows into the honeycomb filter80, and combustible materials, e.g., soot, in the particulate matter deposited on the surface of the partition walls81of the honeycomb filter80are removed through oxidation by using the resulting NO2.

Specific example thereof can include an exhaust gas treatment apparatus in which an oxidation catalyst is placed upstream of the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface83of the honeycomb filter80, NO contained in an exhaust gas of a diesel engine or the like is oxidized to NO2by the above-described oxidation catalyst, and the honeycomb filter80can be regenerated by using the resulting NO2. Another example is an exhaust gas treatment apparatus having a configuration in which a plasma generation device is placed upstream of the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface83of the honeycomb filter80instead of the above-described oxidation catalyst.

However, with respect to the exhaust gas treatment apparatus in which the oxidation catalyst is placed upstream of the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface83of the honeycomb filter80, the temperature required to activate the oxidation catalyst is high, about 400° C.-500° C. Consequently, there are problems in that, for example, when the diesel engine is operated under low-speed and light-load conditions, the temperature of the exhaust system is low. Therefore, the oxidation catalyst is not activated, and the honeycomb filter80cannot be regenerated. In the case where the above-described operation of the diesel engine under low-speed and light-load conditions is continued for a long time and large amounts of particulate matter is deposited on the surface of the partition walls of the honeycomb filter, when the catalyst reaches the activation temperature, the deposited particulate matter is oxidized and burnt at a time. Consequently, there is a problem in that the temperature in the exhaust gas treatment apparatus is increased rapidly and, thereby, the honeycomb filter in the inside is damaged due to a thermal stress.

With respect to the exhaust gas treatment apparatus in which the plasma generation device is placed upstream of the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface83of the honeycomb filter80, nonthermal plasma is generated by the above-described plasma generation device and, thereby, NO contained in the exhaust gas can be oxidized to NO2at a low temperature of 300° C. or less. However, there is a problem in that the exhaust gas treatment apparatus itself becomes too large to be equipped in an automobile or the like without constraints.

Furthermore, in the regeneration of the honeycomb filter, particulate matter can be effectively removed through oxidation when the exhaust gas containing NO2produced through oxidation by nonthermal plasma is in an excited state. However, with respect to the above-described exhaust gas treatment apparatus, a problem occurs in that the excited state is reduced and the efficiency of regeneration of the honeycomb filter is deteriorated since there is some distance between the nonthermal plasma and the honeycomb filter.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-described problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust gas treatment apparatus capable of removing soot deposited on the surface of partition walls of a honeycomb filter simply and at low energy.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides the following exhaust gas treatment apparatus.[1] An exhaust gas treatment apparatus placed in an exhaust system of a combustion gas and used for collecting and removing particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas, the treatment apparatus characterized by including a casing connected to the above-described exhaust system to serve as a main flow path of the above-described exhaust gas; a honeycomb filter placed in the inside of the above-described casing in such a manner that interrupts the above-described main flow path, the honeycomb filter having a plurality of cells partitioned by partition walls to serve as filter flow paths of the above-described exhaust gas and collecting the above-described particulate matter contained in the above-described exhaust gas; and plasma generation electrodes composed of a pulse electrode and an earth electrode placed being faced each other by sandwiching the honeycomb filter there, the plasma generation electrodes being capable of generating nonthermal plasma between the above-described pulse electrode and the above-described earth electrode, wherein the particulate matter contained in the above-described exhaust gas flowing into the above-described casing is collected by the above-described honeycomb filter, nitrogen monoxide contained in the above-described exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by the nonthermal plasma generated between the above-described pulse electrode and the above-described earth electrode constituting the above-described plasma generation electrodes, combustible materials in the above-described particulate matter collected and deposited on the surface of the above-described partition walls are removed through oxidation by the above-described nitrogen dioxide produced and, thereby, the above-described honeycomb filter can be regenerated (hereafter may be referred to as a “first aspect”).[2] An exhaust gas treatment apparatus placed in an exhaust system of a combustion gas and used for collecting and removing particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas, the treatment apparatus characterized by including a casing connected to the above-described exhaust system to serve as a main flow path of the above-described exhaust gas; a honeycomb filter placed in the inside of the above-described casing in such a manner that interrupts the above-described main flow path, the honeycomb filter having a plurality of cells partitioned by partition walls to serve as filter flow paths of the above-described exhaust gas and collecting the above-described particulate matter contained in the above-described exhaust gas; and plasma generation electrodes composed of a pulse electrode and an earth electrode placed in such a manner that at least one of them is in contact with the above-described honeycomb filter, the plasma generation electrodes being capable of generating nonthermal plasma between the above-described pulse electrode and the above-described earth electrode, wherein the particulate matter contained in the above-described exhaust gas flowing into the above-described casing is collected by the above-described honeycomb filter, nitrogen monoxide contained in the above-described exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by the nonthermal plasma generated between the above-described pulse electrode and the above-described earth electrode constituting the above-described plasma generation electrodes, combustible materials in the above-described particulate matter collected and deposited on the surface of the above-described partition walls are removed through oxidation by the above-described nitrogen dioxide produced and, thereby, the above-described honeycomb filter can be regenerated (hereafter may be referred to as a “second aspect”).[3] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to the above-described [1] or [2], further including a power source to apply a voltage to the above-described pulse electrode.[4] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [3], wherein the above-described plasma generation electrodes are placed on outer perimeter surfaces of the above-described honeycomb filter by a printing method through the use of a metal paste.[5] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [4], wherein the material for the above-described honeycomb filter is at least one material selected from the group consisting of cordierite, silicon carbide, SIALON, and silicon nitride.[6] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [5], wherein the cell density of the above-described honeycomb filter is 15 to 60 cells/cm2, the thickness of the above-described partition walls is 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and the depth of plugging of the cell at end surfaces of the above-described honeycomb filter is 1 to 20 mm.[7] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [6], further including a dehydration device on the upstream side of the above-described exhaust system of the above-described casing in order to remove water contained in at least a part of the above-described exhaust gas flowing into the above-described casing.[8] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [7], wherein a catalyst is held on the surface and/or in the inside of the above-described partition walls of the above-described honeycomb filter.[9] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [8], further including a NOxtreatment device on the downstream side of the above-described exhaust system of the above-described casing.[10] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [3] to [9], wherein a current supplied from the above-described power source is a direct current with a voltage of at least 1 kV, a pulsed current with a peak voltage of at least 1 kV and the number of pulses of at least 1 per second, an alternating current with a peak voltage of at least 1 kV and a frequency of at least 1, or a current produced by superimposition of any two of them.[11] The exhaust gas treatment apparatus according to any one of the above-described [1] to [10], placed in an exhaust system of a combustion gas of a diesel engine.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of an exhaust gas treatment apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the interpretation of the present invention is not limited to them. Various changes, modifications, and improvements within the scope of the present invention can be made based on the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

An embodiment of an exhaust gas treatment apparatus of the present invention (first aspect) will be described with reference toFIG. 1. The exhaust gas treatment apparatus1of the present embodiment is an exhaust gas treatment apparatus1used for cleaning an exhaust gas emitted from a diesel engine of an automobile. This exhaust gas treatment apparatus1is an exhaust gas treatment apparatus1placed in an exhaust system8of a combustion gas and used for collecting and removing particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas. The treatment apparatus1is characterized by including a casing2connected to the exhaust system8to serve as a main flow path of the exhaust gas; a honeycomb filter3placed in the inside of the casing2in such a manner that interrupts the main flow path, the honeycomb filter3having a plurality of cells partitioned by partition walls to serve as filter flow paths of the exhaust gas and collecting the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas; and plasma generation electrodes6composed of a pulse electrode4and an earth electrode5placed being faced each other by sandwiching the honeycomb filter3there, the plasma generation electrodes6being capable of generating nonthermal plasma between the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5, wherein the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas flowing into the casing2is collected by the honeycomb filter3, nitrogen monoxide contained in the exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by the nonthermal plasma generated between the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5constituting the plasma generation electrodes6, combustible materials, e.g., soot, in the particulate matter collected and deposited on the surface of the partition walls are removed through oxidation by the nitrogen dioxide produced and, thereby, the honeycomb filter3can be regenerated. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the pulse electrode4is placed on an exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface of the honeycomb filter3, and the earth electrode5is placed on an exhaust-gas-outlet-side end surface.

By adopting such a configuration, particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas is highly precisely collected with the honeycomb filter3, soot in the collected particulate matter is removed simply by oxidation at low energy, and the honeycomb filter can be regenerated. In addition, the apparatus can be miniaturized compared with a known exhaust gas treatment apparatus through the use of nonthermal plasma. In the present embodiment, since the nonthermal plasma is generated in such a manner that covers the entire honeycomb filter3, the exhaust gas containing NO2produced through oxidation can be reacted with soot and the like while being in an excited state, and by the nonthermal plasma, the soot and the like deposited on the partition walls of the honeycomb filter becomes in the condition of being readily reacted. Consequently, the reaction efficiency can be increased. Furthermore, since radicals of ozone (O3) and the like generated by the nonthermal plasma can also be reacted with soot and the like before the energy is lost, the reaction efficiency can be increased, and the regeneration time of the honeycomb filter3can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, preferably, a power source7to apply a voltage to a pulse electrode4is further included. In the case where this exhaust gas treatment apparatus1is placed in an automobile or the like, the use of an automotive battery or the like may be shared. However, by adopting the above-described configuration, stable nonthermal plasma can be generated.

In the present embodiment, preferably, a current supplied from the power source7is a direct current with a voltage of at least 1 kV, a pulsed current with a peak voltage of at least 1 kV and the number of pulses of at least 1 per second, an alternating current with a peak voltage of at least 1 kV and a frequency of at least 1, or a current produced by superimposition of any two of them. By adopting such a configuration, nonthermal plasma capable of further efficiently oxidizing NO to NO2can be generated.

The material for the casing2used in the present embodiment is not specifically limited as long as nonthermal plasma can be effectively generated therein. Examples of suitable materials can include alumina. In the configuration, a heater or the like may be placed on an outer perimeter surface and/or in the inside of the casing2in order that the temperature in the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1can be controlled.

As shown inFIG. 2, the honeycomb filter3has a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cells22partitioned by partition walls21to serve as filter flow paths of an exhaust gas are included and these cells22are plugged alternately at an exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface23aand an exhaust-gas-outlet-side end surface23b.The exhaust gas is introduced into the honeycomb filter3through cells22opened at the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface23a,and is forced to pass through the partition walls21in the honeycomb filter3, so that particulate matter in the exhaust gas is collected and removed with the honeycomb filter3.

Preferably, the material for the above-described honeycomb filter3is at least one material selected from the group consisting of cordierite, silicon carbide, SIALON, and silicon nitride. In the present embodiment, preferably, the cell density of the honeycomb filter3is 15 to 60 cells/cm2, the thickness of the partition walls21is 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and the depth of plugging of the cell at end surfaces23of the honeycomb filter3is 1 to 20 mm. If the cell density is less than 15 cells/cm2, the efficiency of collection of particulate matter in the exhaust gas may be reduced. If the cell density exceeds 60 cells/cm2, the back pressure of the honeycomb filter3is increased, and a load may be applied to a diesel engine. If the thickness of the partition walls21is less than 0.2 mm, the mechanical strength of the honeycomb filter3is reduced, and the honeycomb filter3may be damaged, for example. If the thickness of the partition walls21exceeds 0.5 mm, the back pressure of the honeycomb filter3is increased, and a load may be applied to the diesel engine. If the depth of plugging of the cell at end surfaces23is less than 1 mm, plugging portions of the end surfaces23may be damaged during the treatment of the exhaust gas. If the depth of plugging of the cell at the end surfaces23exceeds 20 mm, the effective area of a region of the honeycomb filter3to substantially collect particulate matter in the exhaust gas may be reduced.

The shape of the honeycomb filter3shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2is a cylinder. However, the shape is not limited to this, and may be a quadrangular prism or other shape. Furthermore, the shape of a cross section of the cell22perpendicular to a direction of the flow is not limited to a quadrangle as well, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, substantially a triangle, or other polygon.

Preferably, the material used for the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5is a metal having a high electrical conductivity. Examples of suitable materials may include a metal containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of iron, gold, silver, copper, titanium, aluminum, nickel, and chromium. The electrodes suitable for the use are formed into the shape that does not cause application of any back pressure to the exhaust system8, for example, into the shape of a net, stripe, or the like.

The pulse electrode4and the power source7are placed while being electrically connected to each other, and the earth electrode5is placed while being grounded. In the case where the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1of the present embodiment is placed in an automobile or the like, the earth electrode5may be configured to electrically connect to an earth of the automobile or the like.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 1, the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5are placed at a distance from the end surface of the honeycomb filter3. However, it is essential in the present embodiment only that the two electrodes are placed being faced each other by sandwiching the honeycomb filter3there, and one of them may be in contact with the honeycomb filter3. In the case where at least one electrically insulating material selected from the group consisting of cordierite, SIALON, silicon nitride, and the like is used as the material for the honeycomb filter3, both the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5may be in contact with the end surfaces of the honeycomb filter3, in the configuration.

In the case where at least one of the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5is placed to become in contact with the end surface of the honeycomb filter3, preferably, the disposition is performed by a printing method through the use of a metal paste. Specifically, the metal paste is applied to the cross section of the partition walls or the plugging of the cell on the end surface of the honeycomb filter3, followed by drying and sintering, so that the electrode can be placed on the end surface of the honeycomb filter3.

Preferably, a catalyst is held on the surface and/or in the inside of the partition walls of the honeycomb filter3used in the present embodiment. By adopting such a configuration, for example, when the diesel engine is operated under low-speed and light-load conditions, and the temperature of the exhaust system is low, NO is oxidized to NO2by generating the nonthermal plasma with the plasma generation electrodes6. When the diesel engine becomes normally operated, and the temperature of the exhaust system reaches, for example, 400° C. to 500° C., at which the catalyst is activated, the oxidation reaction can be performed by using the nonthermal plasma and the catalyst simultaneously or by using the catalyst alone while the generation of the nonthermal plasma is stopped. Consequently, the efficiency of the oxidation of NO in the exhaust gas to NO2can be increased and, in addition, the power consumption for generating the nonthermal plasma can be reduced. The kind of catalyst is not specifically limited. Examples of preferable catalysts can include catalysts containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Rh, K, Ba, Li, and Na.

As shown inFIG. 3, preferably, the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1of the present embodiment further includes a dehydration device30on the upstream side of the exhaust system8of the casing2in order to remove water contained in at least a part of the exhaust gas flowing into the casing2. The dehydration device30used in the present embodiment cools the exhaust gas with a heat exchanger, and emit liquefied water through a drain31. The nonthermal plasma also intrinsically oxidizes and excites molecules other than NO contained in the exhaust gas and, thereby, the exhaust gas containing large amounts of water reduces the efficiency of oxidation of NO to NO2. In particular, an exhaust gas resulting from combustion frequently contains large amounts of water. Therefore, by adopting the configuration in which the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1further includes the dehydration device30, the efficiency of the oxidation of NO to NO2can be increased and, in addition, the power consumption for generating the nonthermal plasma can be reduced.

The dehydration device30to dehydrate the exhaust gas by cooling was described with reference toFIG. 3. Examples of dehydration devices may include a dehydration device in which an exhaust gas is compressed to increase the partial pressure of water and, thereafter, dehydration is performed and a dehydration device in which water is adsorbed by an adsorbent, as long as the dehydration devices can remove water in the exhaust gas. Any positional relationship between the casing2and the dehydration device30is acceptable as long as the dehydration device30is located at the position on the upstream side of the exhaust system8. The casing2may be either in contact with or separated from the dehydration device30.

As shown inFIG. 4, preferably, the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1of the present embodiment further includes a NOxtreatment device32on the downstream side of the exhaust system8of the casing2. By adopting such a configuration, a gas treated in the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1can be emitted to the outside while not containing hazardous substance, NOx. Examples of preferable NOxtreatment devices32can include a honeycomb structure carrying a NOxabsorption-reduction catalyst and urea SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction). Any positional relationship between the casing2and the NOxtreatment device32is acceptable as long as the NOxtreatment device32is located at the position on the downstream side of the exhaust system8. The casing2may be either in contact with or separated from the NOxtreatment device32.

As shown inFIG. 5, the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which a bypass33is placed to return an exhaust gas passed through the honeycomb filter3to the upstream side of the exhaust system8and, thereby, the exhaust gas is circulated in the treatment apparatus1. Since NO2produced by the nonthermal plasma is reduced to NO through the reaction with soot deposited on the partition walls of the honeycomb filter3, the efficiency of removal of soot can be increased by returning the exhaust gas after passing through the honeycomb filter to the upstream side of the exhaust system8again for establishing circulation.

Another embodiment of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus of the present invention (first aspect) will be described below with reference toFIG. 6. As shown inFIG. 6, an exhaust gas treatment apparatus41of the present embodiment is configured similarly to the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1shown inFIG. 1except that a pulse electrode44and an earth electrode45are placed on opposite outer perimeter surfaces of a honeycomb filter43in the shape of a quadrangular prism. The common elements with the elements shown inFIG. 1are indicated by the same reference numerals as those inFIG. 1and explanations thereof will not be provided.

By adopting such a configuration, particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas is highly precisely collected with the honeycomb filter43, soot and the like in the collected particulate matter is removed simply by oxidation at low energy, and the honeycomb filter43can be regenerated. In addition, the apparatus can be miniaturized compared with a known exhaust gas treatment apparatus through the use of the nonthermal plasma.

Preferably, the honeycomb filter43used in the present embodiment can be made of a material similar to that for the honeycomb filter3shown inFIG. 1. In particular, it is preferable that the honeycomb filter43is made of at least one electrically insulating material selected from the group consisting of cordierite, SIALON, and silicon nitride. The honeycomb filter43in which the outer perimeter surfaces of the honeycomb filter43are coated by using an electrically insulating material can also be preferably used.

The material suitable for the use as the material for the pulse electrode44and the earth electrode45constituting the plasma generation electrodes46can be similar to that for the pulse electrode4and the earth electrode5shown inFIG. 1. The pulse electrode44and the earth electrode45may be in any shape as long as these are oppositely placed on outer perimeter surfaces of the honeycomb filter43and the shapes are suitable for generating nonthermal plasma all over the honeycomb filter43. The pulse electrode44and the power source7are placed while being electrically connected to each other, and the earth electrode45is placed while being grounded. In the case where the exhaust gas treatment apparatus41of the present embodiment is placed in an automobile or the like, the earth electrode45may be configured to electrically connect to an earth of the automobile or the like.

In the case where the pulse electrode44and the earth electrode45are placed in contact with opposite outer perimeter surfaces of the honeycomb filter43, preferably, the electrode is prepared by a printing method through the use of the above-described metal paste.

The exhaust gas treatment apparatus41of the present embodiment may further include a dehydration device configured as in the above-described dehydration device on the upstream side of the exhaust system8of the casing2in order to remove water contained in at least a part of the exhaust gas flowing into the casing2. A NOxtreatment device configured as in the above-described NOxtreatment device may be further included on the downstream side of the exhaust system8of the casing2. The exhaust gas treatment apparatus41may have a configuration in which a bypass configured as in the above-described bypass is placed and the exhaust gas is circulated.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, a plurality of honeycomb filter43(six filters inFIG. 7) may be combined, and the pulse electrode44and the earth electrode45may be placed on opposite outer perimeter surfaces of each honeycomb filter43in such a condition that nonthermal plasma is generated all over the plurality of honeycomb filters43. By adopting such a configuration, even in a large capacity type exhaust gas treatment apparatus to treat an exhaust gas emitted from a large internal-combustion engine or the like, nonthermal plasma is generated all over the honeycomb filters43, and the honeycomb filters43can be regenerated efficiently and uniformly.

An embodiment of an exhaust gas treatment apparatus of the present invention (second aspect) will be described below usingFIG. 8. The exhaust gas treatment apparatus51of the present embodiment is an exhaust gas treatment apparatus51placed in an exhaust system58of a combustion gas and used for collecting and removing particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas. The treatment apparatus51is characterized by including a casing52connected to the exhaust system58to serve as a main flow path of the exhaust gas; a honeycomb filter53placed in the inside of the casing52in such a manner that interrupts the main flow path, the honeycomb filter53having a plurality of cells partitioned by partition walls to serve as filter flow paths of the exhaust gas and collecting the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas; and plasma generation electrodes56composed of a pulse electrode54and an earth electrode55placed in such a manner that at least one of them is in contact with the honeycomb filter53, the plasma generation electrodes56being capable of generating nonthermal plasma between the pulse electrode54and the earth electrode55, wherein the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas flowing into the casing52is collected by the honeycomb filter, nitrogen monoxide contained in the exhaust gas is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by the nonthermal plasma generated between the pulse electrode54and the earth electrode55constituting the plasma generation electrodes56, combustible materials, e.g., soot, in the particulate matter collected and deposited on the surface of the partition walls are removed through oxidation by the nitrogen dioxide produced and, thereby, the honeycomb filter53can be regenerated. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the rod-shaped pulse electrode54is placed while being inserted in cells of the honeycomb filter53from an exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface to the vicinity of an exhaust-gas-outlet-side end surface, and the earth electrode55is placed on the outer perimeter surface of the honeycomb filter53.

By adopting such a configuration, particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas is highly precisely collected with the honeycomb filter53, soot in the collected particulate matter is removed simply by oxidation at low energy, and the honeycomb filter53can be regenerated. In addition, the apparatus can be miniaturized compared with a known exhaust gas treatment apparatus through the use of nonthermal plasma. In the present embodiment, since the nonthermal plasma is generated in the inside of the honeycomb filter53, the exhaust gas containing NO2produced through oxidation can be reacted with soot and the like while being in an excited state, and by the nonthermal plasma, the soot and the like deposited on the partition walls of the honeycomb filter becomes in the condition of being readily reacted. Consequently, the reaction efficiency can be increased. Furthermore, since radicals of ozone (O3) and the like generated by the nonthermal plasma can also be reacted with soot and the like before the energy is expended, the oxidation reaction can be accelerated, and the regeneration time of the honeycomb filter53can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, preferably, a power source57to apply a voltage to the pulse electrode54is further included. In the case where this exhaust gas treatment apparatus51is placed in an automobile or the like, the use of an automotive battery or the like may be shared. However, by adopting the above-described configuration, stable nonthermal plasma can be generated.

In the present embodiment, preferably, a current supplied from the power source57is configured as in the power source7shown inFIG. 1.

The material for the casing52used in the present embodiment is not specifically limited as long as nonthermal plasma can be effectively generated therein. Examples of suitable materials can include alumina.

The honeycomb filter53configured similarly to the honeycomb filter3used in the exhaust gas treatment apparatus shown inFIG. 1is suitable for the use in the present embodiment. The shape of the honeycomb filter53is not limited to a cylinder, as described above.

Preferably, the material used for the pulse electrode54and the earth electrode55is a metal having a high electrical conductivity. Examples of suitable materials can include a metal containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of iron, gold, silver, copper, titanium, aluminum, nickel, and chromium. In the present embodiment, the shape of the pulse electrode54is the shape of a rod having substantially the same length as the length of the honeycomb filter53, and the shape is suitable for being inserted into the cell of the honeycomb filter53. The shape of the earth electrode55is the shape suitable for covering all over the outer perimeter surface of the honeycomb filter53, and is configured to contact with the honeycomb filter53. At this time, preferably, the earth electrode55is prepared by the printing method through the use of a metal paste.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, it is essential only that at least one of the pulse electrode54and the earth electrode55is in contact with the honeycomb filter53, and the shapes of the pulse electrode54and the earth electrode55are not limited to the specific shapes shown inFIG. 8. The pulse electrode54and the above-described power source57are placed while being electrically connected to each other, and the earth electrode55is placed while being grounded. In the case where the exhaust gas treatment apparatus51of the present embodiment is placed in an automobile or the like, the earth electrode55may be configured to electrically connect to an earth of the automobile or the like.

As described above, preferably, a catalyst is held on the surface and/or in the inside of the partition walls of the honeycomb filter53used in the present embodiment. By adopting such a configuration, effects similar to the effects in the exhaust gas treatment apparatus1shown inFIG. 1can be attained.

The exhaust gas treatment apparatus51of the present embodiment may further include a dehydration device configured as in the above-described dehydration device on the upstream side of the exhaust system58of the casing52in order to remove water contained in at least a part of the exhaust gas flowing into the casing52. A NOxtreatment device configured as in the above-described NOxtreatment device may be further included on the downstream side of the exhaust system58of the casing52. The exhaust gas treatment apparatus51may have a configuration in which a bypass configured as in the above-described bypass is placed and the exhaust gas is circulated.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 9, a plurality of honeycomb filter53(six filters inFIG. 9) may be combined, and the pulse electrode54and the earth electrode55may be placed on opposite outer perimeter surfaces of each honeycomb filter53in such a condition that nonthermal plasma is generated all over the plurality of honeycomb filters53. By adopting such a configuration, even in the case where the exhaust gas treatment apparatus is placed in an exhaust system of a large internal-combustion engine or the like, nonthermal plasma is generated all over the honeycomb filters53, and the honeycomb filters53can be regenerated efficiently and uniformly.

Another embodiment of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus of the present invention (second aspect) will be described below with reference toFIG. 10. As shown inFIG. 10, an exhaust gas treatment apparatus61of the present embodiment is configured similarly to the exhaust gas treatment apparatus51shown inFIG. 8except that a pulse electrode64is formed by disposing a plurality of metal needles70on a net-shaped insulating plate69. The common elements with the elements shown inFIG. 8are indicated by the same reference numerals as those inFIG. 8and explanations thereof will not be provided.

By adopting such a configuration, since the nonthermal plasma is generated in the vicinity of the exhaust-gas-inlet-side end surface of the honeycomb filter53, the exhaust gas containing NO2produced through oxidation by the nonthermal plasma can be reacted with soot and the like while being in an excited state. Consequently, effects similar to the effects in the above-described exhaust gas treatment apparatus can be attained.

The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

In the present example, as shown inFIG. 6, the exhaust gas treatment apparatus41was prepared, in which the honeycomb filter43formed by using cordierite having a high electrically-insulating property was placed in the inside of the acrylic resin casing2for serving as a main flow path of an exhaust gas in such a manner that interrupts this main flow path, and the stainless steel pulse electrode44having a mesh size of 2.6 mm×2.6 mm and the fluororesin-coated stainless steel earth electrode45having a mesh size of 2.6 mm×2.6 mm were placed on opposite outer perimeter surfaces of this honeycomb filter43.

With respect to the shape of the honeycomb filter43, the length in the direction of the flow of the exhaust gas was 152 mm, the end surfaces were quadrangular prism of 48 mm in width×24 mm in height, the cell density was 16 cells/cm2, and the thickness of the partition walls was 0.43 mm, while the honeycomb filter43was formed by extrusion with a metal base.

A high voltage pulse power source (produced by NGK INSULATORS, LTD.) including an SI thyristor as a switching element was used as the power source. This high voltage pulse power source can apply a maximum voltage of about 45 kV at rated load and the frequency can be changed within the range of 80 to 500 Hz.

As shown inFIG. 11, a NO mixture gas was prepared by independently adjusting dry air and a NO gas at predetermined concentrations and flow rates by using mass flow controllers74. The dry air was prepared by compressing external air with a compressor71, removing fine particles with a filter72, and removing water with a drying agent. The NO gas was supplied from a gas cylinder73filled with 2% NO mixture gas. The resulting NO mixture gas was introduced into the exhaust gas treatment apparatus41prepared as described above. The applied voltage and the current were measured with an oscilloscope (DL1740-1GS/s: produced by Yokogawa Electric Corporation)75, a high voltage probe (P6015A: produced by Sony/Tektronix Corporation), and a current probe (P6021: produced by Sony/Tektronix Corporation). The measurement results are shown inFIG. 12. The discharge power was determined by multiplying the positive area of a waveform of the product of waveforms of the voltage and the current observed with the oscilloscope75by the pulse frequency.

A voltage was applied with the high voltage pulse power source to perform a plasma treatment. The concentrations of NO, NO2, NOx, and N2O in the treated gas after passing through a heater76to remove ozone were measured with a gas analyzer. The measurement results are shown inFIG. 13. The maximum amount of reduction of NO was 197 ppm and, therefore, about 70% of NO was able to be oxidized to NO2.

Subsequently, 2.1 g/L of soot was deposited in the honeycomb filter43of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus41. The NO mixture gas adjusted to have a NO concentration of 310 ppm was introduced while the temperature of the end surface of the honeycomb filter43was maintained at 250° C. Nonthermal plasma was generated between the pulse electrode and the earth electrode, and the pressure drop of the honeycomb filter43was measured. The measurement results of the pressure drop of the honeycomb filter43versus the elapsed time are shown inFIG. 14. At the same time, the concentrations of NO, NO2, NOx, N2O, CO, CO2, and O2in the exhaust gas treated with the exhaust gas treatment apparatus41(refer toFIG. 11) were measured with a gas analyzer77(refer toFIG. 11). The measurement results are shown inFIG. 15.

As is clear from the graph shown inFIG. 14, the pressure drop of the honeycomb filter43(refer toFIG. 11) is reduced during the generation of nonthermal plasma, so that the honeycomb filter43(refer toFIG. 11) is regenerated.

As is clear from the graph shown inFIG. 15, no increase in concentration of NO2is observed during the generation of nonthermal plasma in contrast with the NO2increase shown inFIG. 13and the concentrations of CO2and CO are increased, so that most of NO2produced through oxidation by nonthermal plasma is reacted with soot.

After the above-described measurements were completed, the honeycomb filter43(refer toFIG. 11) was taken out of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus41(refer toFIG. 11), and the inner surface and the outer surface of the honeycomb filter43(refer toFIG. 11) were observed. As a result, it was confirmed that soot was removed.

In the present example, an exhaust gas treatment apparatus similar to that inFIG. 10was prepared, in which a honeycomb filter formed by using cordierite having a high electrically-insulating property was placed in the inside of a quartz glass casing for serving as a main flow path of an exhaust gas in such a manner that interrupts this main flow path, and a pulse electrode and an earth electrode were placed, the pulse electrode having a configuration in which a plurality of stainless steel needles of 7 mm in length were placed on a net-shaped stainless steel plate at a distance of 8 mm from each end surface of this honeycomb filter. In the present example, 4.1 g/L of soot was deposited in the honeycomb filter, and the mass of the honeycomb filter was 55.2525 g.

A measurement flow and measurement apparatus configured similarly to those shown inFIG. 11were used. A NO mixture gas adjusted to have a NO concentration of 320 ppm was introduced at a flow rate of 3 L/min into the exhaust gas treatment apparatus prepared as described above while the temperature of the end surface of the honeycomb filter was maintained at 200° C. Nonthermal plasma was generated at a power consumption of 1.36 W, and the applied voltage and the current, the pressure drop of the honeycomb filter during the generation of nonthermal plasma, and the concentrations of NO, NOx, N2O, CO, and CO2in the exhaust gas treated with the exhaust gas treatment apparatus were measured. Each measurement result is shown inFIGS. 16 to 18.

In the present example as well, the pressure drop of the honeycomb filter is reduced during the generation of nonthermal plasma, and at the same time, the concentrations of CO2and CO are increased. Therefore, it is clear that the honeycomb filter is regenerated similarly to that in Example 1. According to the measurement of the mass of the honeycomb filter after the nonthermal plasma was generated, the mass was reduced to 55.0044 g and, therefore, the decrement was 0.2481 g. Consequently, it was confirmed that the soot deposited in the honeycomb filter was removed through oxidation. According to the measurement results shown inFIG. 18, since the concentrations increases of CO2and CO are larger than the amount of reduction of NO2, it can be said that other radicals, e.g., O, OH, and O3, oxidize soot by nonthermal plasma and enhance the regeneration of the honeycomb filter.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, an exhaust gas treatment apparatus can be provided, wherein the apparatus is capable of highly precisely collecting particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas with a honeycomb filter, removing combustible materials in the collected particulate matter simply by oxidation at low energy, and regenerating the honeycomb filter and, in addition, the apparatus can be miniaturized compared with a known exhaust gas treatment apparatus through the use of nonthermal plasma.