System for Purifying the Exhaust Gases Emitted by Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract

A system for purifying the exhaust gases emitted by an internal combustion engine ( 2 ), comprising a series-connected catalytic silencer ( 3 ) and antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) which are traversed in succession by an exhaust gas flow leaving the engine ( 2 ), said antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) being located upstream of the catalytic silencer ( 3 ) such as to be traversed by the hot exhaust gases from the engine ( 2 ) before they cool substantially.

1 . A system for purifying the exhaust gases emitted by an internal combustion engine ( 2 ), comprising a series-connected catalytic silencer ( 3 ) and antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) which are traversed in succession by an exhaust gas flow leaving the engine ( 2 ), characterised in that, with respect to the direction of said flow, the antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) is located upstream of the catalytic silencer ( 3 ) such as to be traversed by the hot exhaust gases from the engine ( 2 ) before they cool substantially. 
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) is positioned in proximity to the engine, such as to be heated by the exhaust gases to an average operating temperature enabling continuous combustion of the particulate. 
   
   
       3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) is positioned in proximity to the engine, such as to be heated by the exhaust gases to an average operating temperature exceeding 600° C. 
   
   
       4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised by comprising an assembly of exhaust collector tubes ( 10 ) individually conveying the exhaust gases leaving a respective cylinder of the engine ( 2 ) to a common meeting point ( 11 ), the antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) being located immediately downstream of said common meeting point ( 11 ). 
   
   
       5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised by comprising an assembly of exhaust collector tubes ( 10 ) individually conveying the exhaust gases leaving a respective cylinder of the engine ( 2 ) to a common meeting point ( 11 ), the antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) comprising an assembly of separate filters ( 40 ) individually located along a respective exhaust collector tube ( 10 ). 
   
   
       6 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) is of ceramic material. 
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said antiparticulate filter ( 4 ) is of metal material.