Oxidation catalyst for waste heat recovery performance improvement

Abstract

An exhaust system for an engine include a first exhaust system portion that receives exhaust from one or more combustion chambers of the engine. The exhaust system also includes an oxidation catalyst having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the oxidation catalyst is in fluid communication with the first exhaust system portion and receives exhaust from the one or more combustion chambers of the engine. The exhaust system also includes a second exhaust system portion that receives exhaust gases downstream from the outlet of the oxidation catalyst. A waste heat recovery system is in thermal communication with the second exhaust system portion that receives exhaust gases from the outlet of the oxidation catalyst. In some instances, the exhaust system may omit other aftertreatment components.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an engine; and   an exhaust system in fluid communication with one or more combustion chambers of the engine, the exhaust system including:
 an oxidation catalyst having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the oxidation catalyst in fluid communication with a first portion of the exhaust system and receiving exhaust from the one or more combustion chambers of the engine, and 
 a Rankine waste heat recovery system in thermal communication with a second portion of the exhaust system, the second portion of the exhaust system coupled to the outlet of the oxidation catalyst and receiving exhaust gases downstream from the oxidation catalyst. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Rankine waste heat recovery system is an organic Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Rankine waste heat recovery system comprises a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Rankine waste heat recovery system comprises a boiler. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the Rankine waste heat recovery system is disposed within the second portion of the exhaust system. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the Rankine waste heat recovery system is disposed about the second portion of the exhaust system. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the Rankine waste heat recovery system extends through the second portion of the exhaust system. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust system does not include a particulate filter. 
     
     
         9 . An exhaust system for an engine, consisting essentially of:
 a first exhaust system portion receiving exhaust from one or more combustion chambers of the engine;   an oxidation catalyst having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the oxidation catalyst in fluid communication with the first exhaust system portion and receiving exhaust from the one or more combustion chambers of the engine;   a second exhaust system portion receiving exhaust gases downstream from the outlet of the oxidation catalyst; and   a Rankine waste heat recovery system in thermal communication with the second exhaust system portion.   
     
     
         10 . The exhaust system of  claim 9 , wherein the Rankine waste heat recovery system is an organic Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. 
     
     
         11 . The exhaust system of  claim 9 , wherein the Rankine waste heat recovery system comprises a heat exchanger or a boiler. 
     
     
         12 . The exhaust system of  claim 9 , wherein a portion of the heat exchanger or boiler of the Rankine waste heat recovery system extends through the second exhaust system portion. 
     
     
         13 . The exhaust system of  claim 9 , wherein a portion of the heat exchanger or boiler of the Rankine waste heat recovery system is disposed about the second exhaust system portion. 
     
     
         14 . The exhaust system of  claim 9 , wherein the exhaust system does not include a particulate filter. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing an exhaust system comprising:
 providing an exhaust system, an oxidation catalyst, and a Rankine waste heat recovery system;   coupling a portion of the Rankine waste heat recovery system to a second portion of the exhaust system such that the portion of the Rankine waste heat recovery system is in thermal communication with the second portion of the exhaust system;   coupling an inlet of the oxidation catalyst to a first portion of the exhaust system to receive exhaust gases from an engine; and   coupling an outlet of the oxidation catalyst to the second portion of the exhaust system.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system is an organic Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the portion of the Rankine waste heat recovery system is a portion of a heat exchanger or a boiler of the Rankine waste heat recovery system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the portion of a heat exchanger or a boiler of the Rankine waste heat recovery system comprises coupling the portion of the heat exchanger or boiler about the second portion of the exhaust system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the portion of a heat exchanger or a boiler of the Rankine waste heat recovery system comprises inserting the portion of the heat exchanger or boiler through the second portion of the exhaust system.