Exhaust Gas Recirculation: Description and Operation
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) SystemsOverview
The EGR system controls the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. Small amounts of exhaust gases are recirculated back into the combustion chamber to mix with the air/fuel charge. The combustion chamber temperature is reduced, lowering NOx emissions.
Differential Pressure Feedback Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System
The differential pressure feedback EGR system consists of a differential pressure feedback EGR sensor, EGR vacuum regulator solenoid, EGR valve, orifice tube assembly, PCM, and connecting wires and vacuum hoses.
Differential Pressure Feedback EGR System Operation
1. The differential pressure feedback EGR system receives signals from the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor, intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, throttle position (TP) sensor, mass air flow (MAF) sensor and crankshaft position (CKP) sensor to provide information on engine operating conditions to the PCM. The engine must be warm, stable, and running at a moderate load and rpm before the EGR system is activated. The PCM deactivates EGR during idle, extended wide open throttle or whenever a failure is detected in an EGR component or EGR required input.
2. The PCM calculates the desired amount of EGR flow for a given engine condition. It then determines the desired pressure drop across the metering orifice required to achieve that flow and outputs the corresponding signal to the EGR vacuum regulator solenoid.
3. The EGR vacuum regulator solenoid receives a variable duty cycle signal (0 to 90%). The higher the duty cycle the more vacuum the solenoid diverts to the EGR valve.
4. The increase in vacuum acting on the EGR valve diaphragm overcomes the valve spring and begins to lift the EGR valve pintle off its seat, causing exhaust gas to flow into the intake manifold.
5. Exhaust gas flowing through the EGR valve must first pass through the EGR metering orifice. With one side of the orifice exposed to exhaust backpressure and the other downstream of the metering orifice, a pressure drop is created across the orifice whenever there is EGR flow. When the EGR valve closes, there is no longer flow across the metering orifice and pressure on both sides of the orifice is the same. The PCM constantly targets a desired pressure drop across the metering orifice to achieve the desired EGR flow.
6. The differential pressure feedback EGR sensor measures the actual pressure drop across the metering orifice and relays a proportional voltage signal (0 to 5 volts) to the PCM. The PCM uses this feedback signal to correct for any errors in achieving the desired EGR flow.
Electric Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EEGR) System
Highlights of the EEGR System
- The EEGR valve is activated by an electric stepper motor and does not use vacuum to control the physical movement of the valve.
- No vacuum diaphragm is used.
- No differential pressure feedback EGR sensor is used.
- No orifice tube/assembly is used.
- No EGR vacuum regulator solenoid is used.
- Engine coolant is routed through the assembly on some vehicle applications. Some vehicle applications are air cooled.
The EEGR system uses exhaust gas recirculation to control the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions just like vacuum operated systems. The only difference is the way in which the exhaust gas is controlled.
The EEGR system consists of an electric motor/EGR valve integrated assembly, a PCM, and connecting wiring. Additionally a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor is also required. Operation of the system is as follows:
Electric Exhaust Gas Reclrculation (EEGR) System Overview:
EEGR System
1. The EEGR system receives signals from the ECT or CHT sensor, TP sensor, MAF sensor, CKP sensor, and the MAP sensor to provide information on engine operating conditions to the PCM. The engine must be warm, stable, and running at a moderate load and RPM before the EEGR system is activated. The PCM deactivates the EEGR during idle, extended wide open throttle (WOT), or whenever a concern is detected in an EEGR component or EGR required input.
2. The PCM calculates the desired amount of EGR for a given set of engine operating conditions.
3. The PCM in turn outputs signals the EEGR motor to move (advance or retract) a calibrated number of discrete steps. The electric stepper motor directly actuates the EEGR valve, independent of engine vacuum. The EEGR valve is commanded from 0 to 52 discrete steps to get the EGR valve from a fully closed to fully open position. The position of the EGR valve determines the EGR flow.
4. A MAP sensor is used to measure variations in manifold pressure as exhaust gas recirculation is introduced into the intake manifold. Variations in EGR being used correlate to the MAP signal (increasing EGR increases manifold pressure values).