Master Thesis: Urea injection pattern characterization
Göteborg, SE, 417 15
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What will you do?
Background:
Urea injection into exhaust gas streams is a critical process in modern aftertreatment systems, particularly for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology used to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions from diesel engines. The effectiveness of SCR systems depends heavily on the precise atomization and dispersion of the urea-water solution (commonly known as AdBlue or DEF) within the exhaust flow. Proper mixing and vaporization of the injected urea are essential to ensure efficient conversion of NOₓ into harmless nitrogen and water as well as minimizing crystallization problem.
The interaction between the injected urea spray and the exhaust gas environment—characterized by high temperatures and varying pressures—significantly influences the spray pattern, droplet evaporation, and subsequent chemical reactions. While previous studies have examined nozzle design and fluid properties, there is a growing need to understand how real-world exhaust conditions affect the behavior of urea injection. Variations in exhaust gas temperature and pressure can alter spray characteristics, impacting the uniformity of urea distribution and the overall efficiency of NOₓ reduction.
Thesis Objectives:
The main objective of this thesis is to experimentally investigate the influence of environmental parameters—specifically, the temperature and pressure of the exhaust gas—on the injection pattern of urea in aftertreatment systems. The specific goals are:
- Measure and characterize the urea injection pattern under different exhaust gas temperature and pressure conditions using advanced diagnostic techniques (e.g., high-speed imaging, laser-based measurements).
- Analyze the effects of varying temperature and pressure on key spray parameters, such as droplet size distribution, spray angle, and penetration length.
- Develop correlations or models that describe the relationship between exhaust gas environmental parameters and urea spray characteristics.
- Provide recommendations for optimizing urea injection processes in SCR systems based on the experimental findings, with the aim of improving NOₓ reduction efficiency
Who are you?
We are looking for engaged and curious students with an interest in sustainability and are looking for a thesis that includes practical experimental testing. Prior knowledge in aftertreatment systems and catalytic converters is not needed. This thesis is suitable for master students in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical engineering or equivalent.
- Thesis Level: Master (30 ECTS points)
- Language: Swedish, English
- Starting date: January 2026
- Number of students:1-2 students
- Last application date: 20th of October 2025
- Tutor: Mahyar Saffari, Project Manager EATS, mahyar.saffari@volvo.com, +46 739024202
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