Method for operating a piston engine

Abstract

A method for operating a piston engine is disclosed, in which a water dispersion containing a reactant is supplied to the combustion chamber of the piston engine, wherein a heating element is placed in the combustion chamber. A first explosion is triggered by the explosive vaporization of the water contained in the water dispersion, by bringing the water dispersion into contact with the heating element and thereby heating it above its boiling point. A second explosion is triggered simultaneously with or immediately after the first explosion, by heating the vaporized water at the heating element with the reactant to a process temperature, thus causing a first chemical reaction in which gaseous hydrogen is produced. This hydrogen combines with process oxygen present in the combustion chamber, under the influence of the process temperature maintained in the combustion chamber by the heating element, in an oxyhydrogen reaction to form water.The expansive reaction energy generated by the first and second explosions is converted into mechanical kinetic energy by the movement of the piston.

Description

Field of invention The invention relates to a piston engine and a method for operating a piston engine. The invention relates in particular to a method for operating a piston engine whose energy requirement in the combustion chamber of the piston engine is met by the targeted induction of a two-stage explosion. Background of the invention The combustion of fossil fuels poses a significant global problem for humanity and the planet due to the resulting environmentally damaging and, above all, climate-damaging emissions (CO2, CO, SO2, soot), which are only partially controllable to date, as well as the impending depletion of raw material resources. The fossil fuels predominantly used, such as gasoline and diesel, are non-renewable. Therefore, research is being conducted into alternatives. According to current knowledge, a future widespread and global transition of energy supply to non-fossil primary energy sources will rely on the extensive reserves of hydrogen in the form of water. Water itself is available in virtually unlimited quantities and, at 0.88% by mass, ranks ninth among the most abundant compounds found in the Earth's crust. Water occurs naturally in all three states of matter – solid, liquid, and gaseous. Hydrogen is therefore being considered as a future primary energy carrier and “clean energy source”. The hydrogen atom is the simplest and lightest element in the series of chemical elements. Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a colorless and odorless gas with a density of 0.0899 kg / m³. Hydrogen (H2) reacts with oxygen (O2) to form water (H2O). This reaction can be initiated thermally, catalytically, or in any combination of both. Oxyhydrogen gas is a highly explosive mixture of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The flammability limits for oxyhydrogen gas are between 4.00 and 74.20 vol% H2 for hydrogen in air. Hydrogen has the highest diffusion coefficient of all gases. Its lower and upper detonation limits in air are 18 and 59 vol.%, respectively. The ignition temperature is 858°C, and its combustion velocity in air is 275 cm / s, significantly higher than that of gasoline (37 to 43 cm / s). The detonation velocity in air is also higher at 1.9 km / s compared to gasoline (1.4 to 1.7 km / s). Compared to other fuels, hydrogen has a particularly wide ignition range, a high combustion and flame speed, and requires relatively low ignition energy. Due to the much higher speed at which hydrogen flames propagate, hydrogen-air mixtures (oxyhydrogen gas) detonate much more readily than other gases. If the hydrogen content in an oxyhydrogen gas is 29% by volume, there is one oxygen atom for every two hydrogen atoms, and the hydrogen combusts. If the ignition temperature of the flame exceeds 535 degrees Celsius, a deflagration or detonation occurs. Therefore, for technical and economic reasons, oxyhydrogen gas is a viable alternative to the gasoline or diesel fuel predominantly used today. Methods for producing hydrogen or oxyhydrogen gas are known from the prior art. In particular, methods are known that include the production of hydrogen by electrolysis, as well as its storage, transport, and operation of combustion engines in order to replace today's common fuels such as gasoline and / or diesel with hydrogen or oxyhydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is an energy-rich but also highly explosive gas, and handling it can pose risks to the life and physical integrity of humans and animals. To date, no safe, cost-effective, and therefore economical production, transport, and storage system for hydrogen is known in the state of the art. The object of the invention is to find a safe and economical solution for operating a piston engine in order to protect the existing nature and not to produce any additional toxins and / or radiation that endanger humanity and the environment / climate. The problems described in the aforementioned prior art are solved by the claimed method and the claimed device. According to a first aspect, the invention comprises a method for operating a piston engine comprising at least one combustion chamber and a movable piston. A water dispersion comprising a reactive agent is supplied to the combustion chamber of the piston engine, wherein a heating element is introduced into the combustion chamber.The method according to the invention comprises triggering an immediate first explosion by explosively vaporizing the water contained in the water dispersion, by bringing the water dispersion into contact with the heating element and thereby heating it above its boiling point, and triggering a second explosion simultaneously with or immediately after the first explosion, by heating the vaporized water on the heating element with the reactant to a process temperature and thus causing a first chemical reaction in which gaseous hydrogen is produced. This hydrogen combines with process oxygen present in the combustion chamber under the influence of the process temperature maintained in the combustion chamber by the heating element in an oxyhydrogen reaction to form water. The expansive reaction energy generated by the first and second explosions is converted into mechanical kinetic energy by the movement of the piston. According to a second aspect, the invention further comprises a piston machine for carrying out the method according to the invention, wherein the piston machine includes a dispersion generation and storage container for the generation and storage of the water dispersion and a water dispersion supply line to an injection pump. The piston machine comprises at least one injector through which the water dispersion is fed into a combustion chamber, as well as a heating element inserted into the combustion chamber and a filter device located downstream of the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber further comprises means for continuously heating the heating element to incandescence. Further aspects of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Brief description of the drawings In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, describing their structure and mode of operation. Fig. 1 shows a method according to the invention for operating a piston engine. Fig. 2 schematically shows a piston engine for carrying out the method according to the invention. Detailed description of preferred embodiments Fig. 1 shows a method for operating a piston engine 20 schematically represented in Fig. 2, the energy requirement of which is covered in the combustion chamber 3 of the piston engine 20 by the targeted induction of an explosion. The piston engine 20, shown schematically in Fig. 2, comprises a fuel dispersion generation and storage tank 1, which is connected to an injection pump 2. This pump, in turn, pumps fuel via the water dispersion supply line (fuel supply line) 4 towards the connection of the injector (fuel injector) 6. The combustion chamber 3 includes at least one inlet valve 5 for the process oxygen necessary for combustion, as well as at least one exhaust valve 8. The exhaust gas mass flow is directed via the exhaust valve 8 and an exhaust vapor return line 11 into a collection condensation vessel 12. In one embodiment, the collection condensation vessel 12 includes a filter device. The superheated vapor is condensed in the collection condensation vessel 12, and the water thus condensed is directed back into the fuel dispersion generation and storage tank 1 via a return line 13. In Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a piston 9 and a connecting rod 10 of the piston. The piston is movably arranged, with the movement being transmitted via the connecting rod 10 to a crankshaft. In one embodiment, the piston engine 20 is designed as a four-stroke internal combustion engine (Otto engine), which enables a combination of the inventive method with drive technologies from the prior art that have already been proven successful for a long time. Fig. 1 shows the temporal progression of the method according to the invention from top to bottom (see timeline on the left in Fig. 1). In a first step 100, a water dispersion comprising a reagent is supplied as fuel to the combustion chamber 3 of the piston engine 20, wherein a glowing element 7 is placed in the combustion chamber 3, where in a second step 101 the water dispersion is brought to contact the glowing element 7, for example by the injector 6, and is thereby heated above the boiling point of the water dispersion. In one embodiment, the water dispersion is supplied from a fuel dispersion generation and storage container 1. This enables controlled storage of the water dispersion, as well as, for example, carrying a supply of the water dispersion as a fuel supply in vehicles powered by the piston engine 20 according to the invention, and maintaining a partial fuel cycle, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, and as shown schematically in Fig. 2, the glowing element 7 can be comprised of a continuously glowing metallic glow plug 7, such as is used, for example, in a diesel engine, whose glowing temperature is in the range of 1150 to 1300° C. In a third step, 102, a first explosion is triggered by the explosive vaporization of the water contained in the water dispersion. As a result of the pressure generated by the compression stroke, pressurized fine water vapor is produced. The physical explosion occurs because the boiling point of the water contained in the water dispersion is considerably lower than the temperature of the glowing element 7, such as the glow plug 7, which is heated to 1150° to 1300°C. The water contained in the water dispersion evaporates immediately upon contact with the glowing element 7. Since the superheated steam generated as a result of the physical explosion requires a volume approximately 1350 times larger than the amount of liquid water injected, a space-seeking steam explosion occurs. In a fourth step 104, a second explosion is triggered, simultaneously with or immediately after the first explosion, by heating the vaporized water on the incandescent body 7 with the reactant to a process temperature and thus causing a first chemical reaction in which gaseous hydrogen is produced, which combines with process oxygen present in the combustion chamber 3 under the influence of the process temperature maintained in the combustion chamber 3 by the incandescent body 7 in an oxyhydrogen reaction according to the chemical reaction H2+ O2→ 2H2O to form water. The necessary amount of oxyhydrogen gas is thus generated directly in combustion chamber 3 and consumed there immediately, without posing a risk to humans, and without the need for any special control requirements. In a fifth step 105, the expansive reaction energy generated by the first and second explosions is converted into mechanical kinetic energy by moving the piston 9. The required amount of water dispersion to be injected per piston 9 (cylinder) varies depending on the engine design and is determined empirically. The amount is chosen so that, due to the higher combustion speed of the oxyhydrogen gas compared to the combustion speed of gasoline or diesel, no damage occurs to the piston crown and / or the piston engine 20. The exhaust gas or "exhaust gas" produced during the operation of this piston engine 20 is always only environmentally friendly hot water steam. Therefore, no harmful emissions are released. As the water vapor cools, it condenses back into water, and in one embodiment of the invention, this water is returned to the fuel dispersion generation and storage tank 1, resulting in only a relatively small need for refilling with water. A partial cycle is thus created. In one embodiment, the condensation device 12 is arranged downstream of the combustion chamber 3, in which the water vapor produced in the processes is liquefied again, and which also includes a filter device in which the reaction agents are at least partially removed from the exhaust mass flow. The industrially unsolved problem of water splitting to date is the separation of hydrogen and oxygen under process conditions, and thus, in particular, the prevention of recombination. In the process according to the invention, however, this recombination is brought about. The inventive method allows the non-flammable starting materials required for the production of the water dispersion (fuel), such as water, metal and air, to be transported in a completely harmless form anywhere, but especially also in any vehicle driven by the inventive piston engine 20, or to be kept ready for consumption there. In one embodiment, the water dispersion comprises powdered micro- or nanometal and / or molybdenum sulfide as a reactive agent. Regarding the composition of the water dispersion described below, reference is also made to German patent DE 10 2012 015 373 B4. Powdered micro- or nanometals or molybdenum disulfide possess a larger surface area relative to the volume of the micro- or nanoparticles than conventional powder particles. This allows more water molecules per unit time to chemically bond with the reactant than would be the case with ordinary powdered metals. This improves the reactivity and enables sufficiently fast reaction times suitable for engine operation. In the process according to the invention, water, as a non-fossil fuel, is the main component of the metal-containing water dispersion. Upon contact of this water dispersion with the heating element 7 (glow plug), a water vapor explosion is immediately triggered in the combustion chamber 3. The process according to the invention allows the use of any type of water, provided that this water is free of interfering impurities such as solids. In one embodiment, the water dispersion comprises 93 to 95 wt.% water and 3 to 5 wt.% powdered micro- or nanometal and / or molybdenum sulfide. This mixing ratio enables an optimal reaction time for the process according to the invention, both for the water vapor explosion and the oxyhydrogen reaction occurring simultaneously or immediately thereafter. In one embodiment, the powdered metal comprises micro-aluminum and / or nano-aluminum and / or micro-zinc and / or nano-zinc. Aluminum and zinc, as chemically reactive metals, are among the most reactive metals. In current technology, aluminum is known as a durable, rust-free metal. Chemically, it is one of the most reactive and therefore most base metals. Upon contact with water, it immediately extracts oxygen from the H₂O molecules, releasing hydrogen and energy. Furthermore, the bare metal reacts directly with oxygen in air, forming a thin oxide layer that inhibits all further reactions on the metal surface. For example, if aluminum is reduced to a diameter of one-thousandth of a millimeter using industrial processes known in the state of the art for decades, micro-aluminum (µ-Al) is obtained. In micro-aluminum (µ-Al), the oxide layer is very thin and therefore breaks down much more quickly. Micro-aluminum (µ-Al) reacts with water even at temperatures below 1,000°C. In an embodiment according to the invention, the heating element 7, such as the glow plug 7, is brought to a temperature of 1000°C or a higher temperature and thus provides the energy required for breaking up the oxide layer of micro-aluminum (µ-Al). Micro-aluminum (µ-Al) contained in the water dispersion, for example, melts at 660°C. Upon contact with the 1150 to 1300°C hot element 7, such as the glow plug 7, the following chemical reaction occurs: 2Al + 3H₂O → Al₂O₃ + 3H₂. The aluminum oxide Al₂O₃, also known as alumina, which is formed as a reaction byproduct, is a white, harmless powder that contains neither toxic nor other hazardous substances. The aluminum oxide is carried along with the recombined water vapor into the exhaust vapor return line 11. In one embodiment, the alumina is filtered out using an alumina filter. This prevents the alumina from entering the environment. During the intake stroke of the piston engine 20, process oxygen in the form of air has already been supplied to the combustion chamber 3 in an embodiment according to the invention and is therefore already present in the combustion chamber 3. Together with the hydrogen (H2) just produced, oxyhydrogen gas is formed. Due to the high temperature prevailing in the combustion chamber, the oxyhydrogen gas reaction, according to the aforementioned chemical reaction H2 + O2 → 2H2O, occurs immediately after the formation of the oxyhydrogen gas as a second explosion, which takes place simultaneously with or immediately after the first explosion. The expansive reaction energy emanating from both the first (physical) and the second (chemical) explosion is then, as already explained above, converted into kinetic energy by means of the piston 9 of the piston engine 20. The use of the water dispersion according to the invention thus generates hydrogen "on demand", i.e., according to the needs of the piston engine 20 / the motor, by the micro / nano-metal surfaces contained in the water dispersion coming into contact with the heating element 7, so that the micro / nano-metal surfaces react spontaneously with the water of the water dispersion and thereby produce hydrogen. The micro-nano-metal must be located higher in the electrochemical series than hydrogen and must have absolutely stable and safe handling properties. In the state of the art, inexpensive methods for the production of micro- / nanometals are known. In one embodiment according to the invention, the water dispersion comprises surfactants and / or potassium carbonate and / or antifreeze. Surfactants reduce the surface tension of a liquid or lower its interfacial tension, thus enabling or promoting the formation of dispersions. Even a few drops of a standard household dishwashing liquid in a micro-aluminum (µ-Al) dispersion reduce the surface tension of such a dispersion. Potassium carbonate, K₂CO₃, contributes to increasing the reaction rate of the second reaction for hydrogen production without the need for expensive precious metal catalysts. Potassium carbonate (potash), the potassium salt of carbonic acid, forms a white, hygroscopic powder with a melting point of 891 °C and a density of 2.428 g / cm³ and is commercially available at low cost. In the prior art, potassium carbonate is already known as an electrolyte component for increasing the reaction rate in molten carbonate fuel cells. If the piston engine 20, such as a gasoline / Otto engine, is operated in winter at sub-zero temperatures, then antifreeze is added to the water. The specified water content of the water dispersion decreases accordingly. The dispersion can be produced by any method known in the state of the art. In an embodiment according to the invention, for example, the water dispersion is produced in the dispersion generation and storage container (tank) 1 of the piston engine 20 and subsequently used as fuel for the operation of the piston engine 20, such as a gasoline engine. In one embodiment, as already described above, the water dispersion consists of 93 to 95 wt.% water and 3 to 5 wt.% metals, such as micro-aluminum, In one embodiment, the water dispersion further consists of 1 wt.% surfactants, 1 wt.% potassium carbonate (potash), and an antifreeze suitable for the operation of the piston engine 20 (motor) at temperatures below 0°C (winter operation). The water dispersion according to the invention therefore consists exclusively of materials that are harmless to humans and the environment. In one embodiment, the water dispersion is alternately supplied to the combustion chamber 3 with water. This enables economical consumption of the water dispersion and thus of the materials it contains, such as micro- and nanometals, while simultaneously operating the piston engine 20 with consistently undiminished efficiency. By varying the amount of water dispersion introduced into the combustion chamber, the required amount of oxyhydrogen gas for operating the piston engine 20, similar to a spark-ignition engine, is produced. The gas requirement is influenced, for example, by the current load condition of the piston engine 20. In one embodiment, the process oxygen is supplied in the form of air. This makes it possible to extract the process oxygen from the surrounding air, thus eliminating the need for a separate container for the process oxygen. For example, vehicles powered by the piston engine 20 according to the invention do not need to carry a separate tank for the process oxygen. To optimize combustion, one embodiment contains oxygen in a proportion exceeding the stoichiometric ratios. This excess oxygen is provided, for example, by the atmospheric oxygen in the superheated steam and by the intake air, and lies, for example, between 1.14 as the upper limit and 9.85 as the lower limit. In one embodiment, the water dispersion is sprayed onto the heating element 7 by an injector 6. This allows for a controllable application of the water dispersion to the heating element 7. In one embodiment, the injector 6 comprises a pump-nozzle injector typically used for gasoline / diesel engines, which sprays the metal-containing water dispersion onto the glow plug 7 at high pressure. For example, a high-pressure pump sprays the water dispersion (fuel) precisely onto the glow plug 7 by means of an injection nozzle. In one embodiment, the injector projects at least partially into the combustion chamber 3 of the cylinder. This facilitates the precise spraying of the water dispersion onto the glowing element 7. In one embodiment, a quantity of oil is added to the water dispersion, sufficient to ensure adequate lubrication of the piston engine 20. The lubrication of the piston engine can be carried out analogously to the operation of a two-stroke internal combustion engine. In another embodiment, the required current for the injector 6 and the glow plug 7 is generated by the use of technologies known in the prior art, such as by flange-mounting a generator as an auxiliary unit to the piston engine 20, and stored in a battery, such as those commonly found in motor vehicles. In a highly preferred embodiment, the inventive method and the inventive piston engine 20 are used to operate power generators, such as domestic power generators. The non-flammable starting materials required for the production of the water dispersion (fuel), such as water, metal, and air, can be stored in a completely harmless form in a building, such as a residential building. Reference symbol list 1 Fuel dispersion generation and storage tank; 2 Injection pump; 3 Combustion chamber (of the cylinder); 4 Water dispersion supply line (fuel supply line); 5 Intake air valve; 6 Injector (for water dispersion / fuel); 7 Glow plug; 8 Exhaust valve; 9 Piston (of the piston engine / Otto engine); 10 Connecting rod of the piston; 11 Exhaust vapor return line (for the condensed water); 12 Condensation collection vessel (aluminum filter); 13 Return line (for the condensed water); QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature DE 10 2012 015 373 B4

[0038]

Claims

A method for operating a piston engine comprising at least one combustion chamber and a movable piston, characterized in that a water dispersion comprising a reactive agent is supplied to the combustion chamber of the piston engine, wherein a heating element is placed in the combustion chamber; and by triggering an immediate first explosion through an explosive vaporization of the water contained in the water dispersion, by bringing the water dispersion into contact with the heating element and thereby heating it above the boiling point of the water dispersion;and- triggering a second explosion, simultaneously with or immediately after the first explosion, by heating the vaporized water at the incandescent element with the reactant to a process temperature and thus causing a first chemical reaction in which gaseous hydrogen is produced, which combines with process oxygen present in the combustion chamber under the influence of the process temperature maintained in the combustion chamber by the incandescent element in an oxyhydrogen reaction to form water; wherein the expansive reaction energy generated by the first and second explosions is converted into mechanical kinetic energy by movement of the piston.; The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the water dispersion comprises powdered micro- or nanometal and / or molybdenum sulfide as a reactant. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the water dispersion comprises 93 - 95 wt.% water and 3 - 5 wt.% powdered micro- or nanometal and / or molybdenum sulfide. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the powdered metal comprises micro-aluminium and / or nano-aluminium and / or micro-zinc and / or nano-zinc. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the water dispersion comprises surfactants and / or potassium carbonate and / or antifreeze. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the water dispersion is supplied to the combustion chamber alternately with water. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the process oxygen is supplied in the form of air. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the water dispersion is sprayed onto the heating element by an injector. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the glowing element comprises a glow plug. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the water dispersion is supplied from a fuel dispersion generation and storage container. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the process temperature is 1150°C to 1300°C. Method according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the water, the micro-aluminium and / or the nano-aluminium and the process oxygen are reacted in the first chemical reaction according to the formula: 2Al + 3H2O = Al2O3+ 3H2 and in the oxyhydrogen reaction according to the formula: 2H2+ O2= 2H2O. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that after the oxyhydrogen reaction: - the water produced is condensed, fed back to the fuel dispersion generation and storage container and / or the Al2O3 produced is filtered off. Piston engine for carrying out the method according to claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the piston engine comprises a dispersion generation and storage container for the generation and storage of the water dispersion, a water dispersion supply line to an injection pump, at least one injector through which the water dispersion is supplied into a combustion chamber, a glowing element inserted into the combustion chamber and a filter device downstream of the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber further comprises means for bringing the glowing element to a permanent glow. Piston engine according to claim 14, characterized in that a collection and condensation device is provided downstream of the combustion chamber in which the water vapor produced during the oxyhydrogen reaction is liquefied and / or that the collection and condensation device comprises an alumina filter for filtering out the Al2O3 produced after the first chemical reaction.

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