FUEL SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, OR THERMAL COMBUSTION UNIT, AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF A FUEL SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, OR THERMAL COMBUSTION UNIT

Abstract

Feeding system (1) for internal combustion engine (100), or thermal combustion unit, operating with fuel based on hydrocarbons or their derivatives and having at least one intake portion (101) for entering the fed gas into said combustion engine (100) or into said thermal combustion unit, and at least one exhaust portion (102) for exiting exhaust gas from said combustion engine (100) or from said thermal combustion unit, said system (1) comprising at least one sensor (3) for measuring the oxygen content of said exhaust gas coming out of said exhaust portion (102) and at least one exhaust line (2) fluidically connected to said exhaust portion (102) and being provided with a device (4) for cooling the exhaust gas and condensing the water vapor contained in said exhaust gas coming out of said exhaust portion and passing through said exhaust line (2), said system (1) being characterized by further comprising at least one recirculation pipeline (10) for fluidically connecting said exhaust line (2) to said inlet portion (101) of said combustion engine (100) or of said thermal combustion unit, and by comprising means (20) for injecting oxygen, or an oxygen mixture, into said recirculation pipeline (10) for transforming said exhaust gas at the outlet of said exhaust line into said fed gas, wherein the amount injected of oxygen is established depending on the oxygen content of said exhaust gas measured by said at least one sensor for measuring the oxygen content, said feeding and exhaust system further comprising purifying means for purifying said exhaust gas along said exhaust line (2) for eliminating further liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in said exhaust gas.

Description

1 / 26 “FUEL SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, OR THERMAL COMBUSTION UNIT, AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF A FUEL SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, OR THERMAL COMBUSTION UNIT” FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a fuel and exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, or thermal unit, and its method of operation. In particular, this fuel system is specially adapted for the removal of pollutants in the combustion gases generated by an internal combustion engine, whether of the diesel cycle or Otto cycle, of the supercharged or atmospheric type, two-stroke or four-stroke, or produced by a thermal unit that generates combustion, such as, for example, a boiler (e.g., LPG, diesel or methane) or a coal-fired power plant or other combustion thermal unit. State of the Art Known

[002] It is known that current fuel and exhaust systems allow, downstream of the combustion engine or a thermal combustion unit, the treatment and purification of exhaust gases generated by internal combustion engines, thermal units or other devices of any size or location that use the combustion of liquid, gaseous or solid substances by centrifugation, purgers, coolers, afterburners, condensers, catalysts, activated carbons, chemicals and HEPA filters, but none of them can guarantee, that is, in the environment, the capture and / or conversion of 100% of the harmful substances present in the gases themselves. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 11 / 46 2 / 26

[003] The use of systems that significantly reduce harmful substances emitted by an internal combustion engine is also known.

[004] For example, Patent WO2021198943, in the name of the applicant, provides for the presence, downstream of the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, of a cooling device that allows the exhaust gases to be condensed by depriving them of water, by means of a forced thermal shock. The water, advantageously reused and atomized upstream of the cyclones, manages to retain both part of the dust retained precisely in the condensed water and gases, such as CO and CO2, which remain dissolved and trapped precisely in the water resulting from the condensation of the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases. Subsequently, the exhaust gases reach an air / water separator that allows the gas to be completely separated from the water, water that can be filtered and reused or stored in a tank and then discarded.After passing through the gas / water separator, the exhaust gas goes through other filters, such as activated carbon filters and HEPA H14 filters, or higher, to eliminate any microparticles that escaped the previous filtration stages.

[005] This solution, although extremely effective, does not allow for the complete elimination of NOx gases, which are extremely harmful to people's health.

[006] Document WO2010 / 092684, on behalf of TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD, describes an operational gas circulation type engine that is provided with a combustion chamber within which an oxidizing agent (oxygen), a hydrogen-type fuel, generates water vapor. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 12 / 46 3 / 26 when combustion occurs along with the oxidizing agent, and an operating gas, which has a specific heat ratio higher than air, is fed into which the operating gas can expand during fuel combustion and which engine can release water vapor and operating gas as exhaust gas after fuel combustion. This engine further comprises a circulation path capable of circulating the operating gas contained in the exhaust gases from the exhaust side to the intake side of the combustion chamber and which supplies the operating gas back to the combustion chamber, and a condensation means provided in the circulation path, meaning that it is capable of condensing the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases to transform the water vapor into condensed water.Furthermore, the engine also comprises a means capable of containing the condensed water, a pumping means for pumping the condensed water contained in the condensed water-containing media at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, and evaporation means for evaporating the condensed water by means of the exhaust heat of the exhaust gases. In this way, the condensed water can be properly treated.

[007] The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to make a fuel and exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, or a thermal combustion unit, powered by diesel, e-fuel or gasoline or other hydrocarbon-based fuels and their derivatives, which allows for the complete elimination of any harmful substances emitted into the atmosphere by the engine or the thermal unit itself.

[008] Another objective of the present invention is to make a Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 13 / 46 4 / 26 fuel and exhaust system that is also structurally simple.

[009] Finally, the objective of the present invention is to implement a method that allows for the simple and effective resolution of problems in internal combustion engines, or thermal combustion units (such as boilers or similar devices) related to the emission of harmful substances and gases into the atmosphere. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] These and other objectives are achieved by means of an internal combustion engine or thermal combustion unit fuel system that runs on hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives, preferably a fuel selected from gasoline, e-fuel, diesel and LPG, and which has at least one intake portion for the entry of the fuel gas into said combustion engine or thermal unit, and at least one exhaust portion for the exit of the exhaust gases from said combustion engine or thermal combustion unit,the aforementioned system comprising at least one sensor for measuring the oxygen content of said exhaust gases originating from said exhaust portion and at least one exhaust line fluidically connected to said exhaust portion and being provided with a device for cooling the exhaust gases and condensing the water vapor contained in said exhaust gases originating from said exhaust portion and passing through said exhaust line, said system being further characterized by comprising at least one recirculation pipe for connecting, Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, p. 14 / 46 5 / 26 fluidly the said exhaust line to the said inlet portion of the said combustion engine or said thermal combustion unit, and comprising means for injecting oxygen, or a mixture thereof, into the said recirculation piping to transform the said purified exhaust gases at the outlet of the said exhaust line into the said feed gas, wherein the amount of oxygen, or a mixture thereof, injected is established as a function of the oxygen content of the said exhaust gases measured by the said sensor for measuring the oxygen content, the said feed and exhaust system further comprising purifying means for purifying the said exhaust gases along the said exhaust line to eliminate other liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in the said exhaust gases.

[0011] This solution allows the suggested objectives to be achieved. In fact, thanks to this fuel and exhaust system, internal combustion engines, or thermal combustion units, will not generate emissions into the atmosphere, since the exhaust gases formed by the combustion of only oxygen and hydrocarbon-based fuel, in appropriate proportions, are continuously filtered and reintroduced into the combustion engine, or thermal unit, after being purified by purifying means and deprived of the water vapor contained therein, and then enriched with oxygen or its mixture, that is, by injecting an oxidizer. The concentration of oxygen emitted in the purified exhaust gas will depend on that detected by a concentration sensor (also known as a Lambda sensor) located immediately after the exhaust section of the combustion engine. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 15 / 46 6 / 26 internal or thermal combustion unit. Obviously, the intake and exhaust system also helps to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gases at the outlet of the combustion engine, or thermal combustion unit, and to simultaneously reduce its mass by eliminating the water vapor present in it. In addition, the purifying means allow the elimination of all unburned solid and liquid particles and all exhaust gases, such as CO2 and CO, present in the exhaust gases themselves.

[0012] Note that, upon combustion, hydrocarbon-based fuels, such as gasoline, for example (although the arguments are also identical for diesel, LPG or other similar fuels), primarily develop water in the form of vapor (H2O), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon dioxide whenever a conventional fuel is used, zero carbon dioxide or unburned solid and gaseous substances whenever a synthetic fuel is used. Both the water and carbon dioxide produced, as well as the unburned solid or gaseous substances resulting from combustion, can, however, be captured by the combined operation of the cooling and condensation device and the purification means, in order to feed a purified gas that maintains substantially the same flow rate in the intake portion.

[0013] Although not described, as is known, the internal combustion engine also comprises an injection system for injecting said hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives. By injecting fuel, either directly into the engine's combustion chamber, the Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 16 / 46 7 / 26 Combustion with oxygen can occur, in a known manner, within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

[0014] The fuel used in the system according to the invention is, for example, gasoline, e-fuel, diesel, methane or liquefied petroleum gas.

[0015] In addition, said injector means comprise at least one injection line, at least one injector disposed along said injection line and at least partially in said recirculation circuit, and at least one metering valve disposed along said injection line, upstream of said at least one injector, for metering the amount of oxygen, or its mixture, to be injected by means of said injector.

[0016] The injector is thus arranged, at least partially, within the recirculation line to transform the exhaust gases, now completely filtered and deprived of water vapor, into a gas suitable to be fed to the internal combustion engine, or a thermal combustion unit, as defined above (i.e., selected from a boiler or power plant or similar).

[0017] Furthermore, the system comprises at least one tank for containing oxygen or an oxygen mixture, wherein said tank is fluidically connected to the injection line, upstream of the metering valve.

[0018] In particular, the system further comprises means for generating oxygen. Such oxygen generation means are fluidically connected to said tank, or directly Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 17 / 46 8 / 26 to the aforementioned injection line, upstream of at least one metering valve.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one recirculation pipe comprises at least one expansion vessel, to absorb the expansion or contraction of the purified exhaust gases and, therefore, to maintain as stable a pressure as possible and, moreover, to avoid overpressures that may be limiting for the engine or thermal unit, as well as excessively low pressures, which could hinder the feeding and combustion of a new feed gas supplied to the engine or the unit itself.

[0020] In addition, the system comprises one or more heating fans arranged along at least one recirculation pipe to control, depending on the demands and needs, the flow rate and pressure of the gas circulating within the recirculation pipe. There are preferably at least two heating fans, one of which is arranged upstream of said at least one injector and one downstream of said at least one injector. In particular, the rotational speed of one or more heating fans is controlled depending on the feed gas flow rate required for the correct operation of the motor.

[0021] This allows increasing the flow rate of the feed gas flowing to the intake portion, thus increasing engine power whenever a certain overload is desired. All this can be done independently of the engine speed and makes the system of the present invention an active flow manager. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 18 / 46 9 / 26 to load the motor and not a passive flow manager, i.e., dependent on the motor's rotations, as is the case referred to in Patent WO2010 / 092684.

[0022] In addition, the system may preferably include at least one purified exhaust gas flow meter (also known as a gas mass meter) disposed along the recirculation piping.

[0023] In addition, the system may include at least one first sensor for measuring the thermodynamic conditions of the purified exhaust gases, which is arranged along said at least one recirculation pipe, downstream of said injector, and at least one second sensor for measuring the thermodynamic conditions of the oxygen-enriched gas, which is arranged along said at least one recirculation pipe, upstream of said at least one injector.

[0024] These first and second sensors for measuring thermodynamic conditions basically measure the temperature and / or pressure of the purified gas circulating within the recirculation line. In particular, the temperature and pressure of the purified exhaust gases reaching the recirculation piping and the temperature and pressure of the feed gases, i.e., the purified exhaust gases enriched with oxygen and coming from the exhaust line, are continuously monitored.

[0025] In addition, the feed and exhaust system comprises a control unit capable of controlling the opening and / or closing of at least one metering valve and / or controlling the operation of at least one or more heating fans. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 19 / 46 10 / 26

[0026] In particular, said control unit controls the rotation speed of one or more heating fans depending on the flow rate of the purified exhaust gases, the flow rate of which is measured by said purified exhaust gas flow meter and / or depending on said sensor to detect the oxygen concentration, in order to ensure the best stoichiometric combustion conditions.

[0027] Preferably, the said control unit is capable of controlling the opening and / or closing of at least one metering valve, depending on data from at least one sensor to detect the oxygen concentration, in order to dose a certain quantity of oxygen by means of said at least one injector.

[0028] In more detail, such a control unit, however, also acquires data from at least one sensor to measure the thermodynamic conditions of the circulating gas within the recirculation piping and is also capable of operating and controlling the aforementioned oxygen generation means, whenever present.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the purifying means comprise, downstream of said cooling device, at least one cyclonic gas / water vapor separator and at least one tank for collecting the condensed water vapor contained in said exhaust gas and separated from said cyclonic gas / water vapor separator.

[0030] In addition, the aforementioned purification means also comprise one or more filters arranged along the Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 20 / 46 11 / 26 said exhaust line; said one or more filters are preferably arranged downstream of said cyclone separator. Said one or more filters are preferably selected from activated carbon and HEPA (H14 or higher) filters and carbon dioxide filters, and combinations thereof. These filters retain solid and gaseous pollutants.

[0031] Nevertheless, the said purification means comprise, upstream of the said cooling device and along the said exhaust line, at least one particle separator, preferably of the water and / or dry type. This particle separator is capable of retaining solid / liquid combustion substances, including water and carbonaceous dust.

[0032] Finally, the purification means comprise at least one injector device for injecting the water contained in said tank into the condensate water, or the water contained in a storage / reserve vessel; said at least one water injector device is disposed along said exhaust piping, upstream of said cyclone separator and / or said particle separator.

[0033] In the case of an injector device upstream of the cyclone separator, it is downstream of the cooling and condensation device.

[0034] In the case of an injector device upstream of the particle separator, it is upstream of the cooling and condensation device.

[0035] This water-injecting device in spray (nebulized) form is capable of capturing the largest Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 21 / 46 12 / 26 part of the carbon dioxide present in the exhaust gases.

[0036] The objectives are also achieved by means of a method of operating a fuel and exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, or thermal combustion unit, according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, comprising the steps of: a) to supply the said internal combustion engine, or the said thermal combustion unit, with a feed gas through the said intake portion; a') to supply the said internal combustion engine, or said thermal combustion unit, with a hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives, preferably a fuel selected from gasoline, diesel, LPG, methane or e-fuel (excluding hydrogen); b) to measure the level of oxygen concentration detected in said exhaust gases at the outlet of said exhaust portion, at the end of the combustion stage within said internal combustion engine, between said fuel gases and said hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives; (c) to cool and condense the exhaust gases from the said exhaust portion of the said internal combustion engine or from the said thermal combustion unit, in order to transform them into purified exhaust gases; characterized by including the following steps: (d) cause the purified exhaust gases from at least one exhaust line to recirculate along at least one recirculation pipe; (e) inject oxygen, or a mixture thereof, into the aforementioned recirculation piping to transform the aforementioned gases into Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, p. 22 / 46 13 / 26 purified exhaust gases at the outlet of said exhaust line in said fuel gas for said internal combustion engine, or said thermal combustion unit, wherein the amount of oxygen injected is determined based on the oxygen content of said exhaust gases measured in said step b); and step f) of filtering said exhaust gases after said step c) and before said step d), to eliminate other liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in said exhaust gases.

[0037] Furthermore, in the aforementioned step e), a quantity of oxygen is introduced that maintains the oxygen concentration of the said feed gas at a stoichiometric level suitable for subsequent combustion to occur efficiently within the internal combustion engine, or within said thermal combustion. For example, a suitable oxygen level in the purified gas may be greater than 5%.

[0038] Finally, the method comprises step g) measuring the flow rate of exhaust gases passing through said recirculation piping, and step h) increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of one or more heating fans as a function of the flow rate of purified exhaust gases measured in said step g) and / or the oxygen content of said exhaust gases measured in said step b). DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Some particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, p. 23 / 46 14 / 26 wherein figure 1 is a schematic view of the feeding system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0040] With particular reference to this figure, a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine, or thermal combustion unit, according to the invention is denoted by 1.

[0041] In the figure shown here, this fuel system 1 is used in an internal combustion engine 100 which has an intake port 101 for the entry of fuel gas into the combustion engine 100 and an exhaust port 102 for the exit of exhaust gases from the combustion engine 100. It should be noted that the system 1 can also be used in a combustion engine provided with a plurality of intake ports and a plurality of exhaust ports, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The internal combustion engine 100, according to the embodiment described herein, is of the diesel type; however, such an internal combustion engine 100 can also be of the gasoline type or, in any case, follow a supercharged or atmospheric two-stroke or four-stroke cycle.

[0042] This internal combustion engine thus comprises, in a known manner, an injector device for injecting hydrocarbon-based fuel, such as, for example, gasoline or e-fuel or diesel or LPG or methane or the like. This internal combustion engine does not operate with hydrogen.

[0043] The feed gas is therefore mixed with the Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 24 / 46 15 / 26 fuel for proper combustion to occur within the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

[0044] Furthermore, although not shown or described here, this system 1 can also be used in a boiler-type thermal combustion unit, for example, fueled with LPG / methane, or a coal-fired thermal power plant or other thermal combustion unit.

[0045] The intake and exhaust system 1 comprises a sensor 3 for measuring the oxygen content, i.e., the concentration, present in the exhaust gases coming from the exhaust section 102, commonly also known as a Lambda sensor. In addition, the intake system 1 comprises an exhaust line 2 fluidically connected to the exhaust section 102 and provided with a device 4 for cooling the exhaust gases and condensing the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases coming from the exhaust section 102 and passing through the exhaust line 2.

[0046] Nevertheless, said exhaust and fuel system 1 also comprises purifying means for purifying said exhaust gases along the exhaust line 2 to eliminate other liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in such exhaust gases. As shown in the embodiment described herein, these purifying means preferably comprise one or more filters 5a, 5b disposed downstream of the cooling device 4.

[0047] In particular, these filters 5a and 5b include an activated carbon filter 5a and a HEPA filter 5b. It should be noted that a different number of activated carbon filters and / or HEPA filters would in any case be within the scope of Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 25 / 46 16 / 26 protection of the present invention.

[0048] These 5a,5b filters have the function of retaining any microparticles present in the exhaust gases.

[0049] Although not shown here, the purification means may preferably also include one or more carbon dioxide filters. These carbon dioxide filters may be combined with one or more activated carbon filters 5a and / or with one or more HEPA filters 5b. Whenever using e-fuel, this or more carbon dioxide filters are not present in system 1, since the combustion of e-fuel with oxygen does not generate this gas.

[0050] Sensor 3 for measuring the oxygen content, i.e., the concentration, present in the exhaust gases coming from exhaust section 102, is advantageously located along the exhaust line 2, preferably upstream of the cooling device 4.

[0051] Advantageously, system 1 further comprises a recirculation pipe 10 to fluidically connect the exhaust line 2 to the intake portion 101 of the combustion engine 100. In practice, this recirculation pipe 10 connects the end of the exhaust pipe located downstream of the aforementioned cooling device 4 to the intake portion 101.

[0052] System 1 further comprises means 20 for injecting oxygen into the recirculation piping 10 to transform the exhaust gases at the exhaust line outlet 2 into the aforementioned feed gas, wherein the amount of oxygen injected is determined depending on the oxygen content of the exhaust gases measured by the sensor. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 26 / 46 17 / 26 to measure oxygen content.

[0053] In other words, the recirculation pipe 10 hermetically connects the outlet end of the exhaust line 2 to the intake portion 101 of the engine 100 itself, thus forming a true closed-loop system which, by its nature, will not be able to release any polluting particles, whether solid or gaseous, nor even air itself.

[0054] The injected oxidizer may also be in the form of an oxygen mixture, such as nitrous oxide or another, which enriches the gas coming from the exhaust pipe 2 and reaching the recirculation pipe 10.

[0055] The feed gas absorbed by the internal combustion engine 100 requires, for its operation, the presence of a combustion substance which is normally constituted by the oxygen present in the air, but the already combusted gas from the engine 100 has a very small amount of oxygen, therefore the use of means to inject oxygen, thus the combustion substance, into the exhaust gas that passes along the recirculation pipe 10 was foreseen. The amount of oxygen injected will be that necessary for adequate combustion to occur within the engine 100 and, therefore, adapted to ensure the correct operation of the combustion engine 10 (or thermal combustion unit).

[0056] For adequate and prolonged operation of the system 1, the presence of a suitable cooling device 4 along the exhaust line 2 is necessary, which allows the exhaust gas temperature to be reduced and, simultaneously, eliminates most of the water vapor that Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 27 / 46 18 / 26 is formed inside the exhaust gases as a result of combustion itself. A cooling device adapted for this purpose is, for example, described in Patent WO2021198943, in the name of the applicant.

[0057] Through this fuel system 1, the possibility of supplying only the oxidizer necessary to the internal combustion engine or other equipment and no other substance also naturally present in the air, such as nitrogen, will eliminate the production of harmful pollutants such as NOx, whose development results precisely from the combination of nitrogen and oxygen during combustion with the fuel.

[0058] The absence of NOx to be treated thermally or chemically, as currently occurs through oxidizing catalysts or SCR systems that use urea, will also eliminate pollution related to the production, maintenance and use of the aforementioned current fuel and exhaust systems.

[0059] In addition, the injector means 20 comprise an injection line 21, an injector 22 disposed along the injection line 21 and at least partially in said recirculation circuit 10, and a metering valve 23 disposed along the injection line, upstream of the injector 22, for metering the amount of oxygen to be injected by means of the injector 22.

[0060] The amount of oxygen injected will compensate for (or replenish) that combustion in the combustion engine 100, thus allowing a stoichiometric concentration relative to the hydrocarbon fuel injected into the endothermic engine 100 to be achieved so that the engine 100 Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 28 / 46 19 / 26 remains fully operational.

[0061] Nevertheless, system 1 comprises a tank 30 for containing oxygen. This tank 30 is fluidically connected to the injection line 21, upstream of the metering valve 23. The tank 30 comprises a port 31 for filling the tank 30.

[0062] In addition, the system comprises oxygen generation means 40, also known as oxygen concentrators. These oxygen generating means 40 are fluidically connected to tank 30.

[0063] In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the means for generating oxygen can be connected directly to the metering valve 23.

[0064] Nevertheless, according to the embodiment described herein, the recirculation pipe 10 comprises an expansion vessel 15 capable of compensating for volume variations due to increases or decreases in the mass of the circulating gas within the recirculation pipe 10 itself.

[0065] Furthermore, always in accordance with the embodiment described herein, system 1 comprises two heating fans 61 and 62 arranged along the recirculation piping 10. One heating fan 61 of the two heating fans 61, 62 is arranged upstream of injector 22 and the other heating fan 62 of the two heating fans 61, 62 is arranged downstream of injector 22. In this way, it is easier to modify both the increase in the feed gas flow rate and the possible increase in the pressure of this gas, whenever a certain overload or backpressure is desired.

[0066] In addition, at least one heating fan Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 29 / 46 20 / 26 is upstream 61 of the expansion vessel 15, while a heater fan 62 is downstream of the expansion vessel 15, so that said intake and exhaust system 1 can be considered an active dynamic system whose feed gas flow rate is independent of the speed transmitted by the engine revolutions and / or combustion pressure.

[0067] According to the embodiment described herein, system 1 also comprises a purified exhaust gas flow meter 55 disposed along the recirculation piping 10.

[0068] Always in accordance with the embodiment described herein, system 1 comprises a first sensor 71 for measuring the thermodynamic conditions of the gas, arranged along the recirculation pipe 10 downstream of the injector 22, and a second sensor 72 for measuring the thermodynamic conditions of the gas, always arranged along the recirculation pipe 10 upstream of the injector 22. The sensors for measuring the thermodynamic conditions 71 and 72 allow measuring the pressure and / or temperature of the circulating gas, in order to constantly monitor the thermodynamic conditions of the feed gas and thus be able to adequately modulate the injection of the oxidant into the recirculation pipe.In particular, the first sensor 71 allows monitoring the thermodynamic conditions of the exhaust gases coming from exhaust line 2, while the second sensor 72 allows monitoring the thermodynamic conditions of the oxygen-enriched exhaust gases and thus transforming them into fuel gas for engine 100. Furthermore, the exhaust gases coming from exhaust line 2 can be... Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pp. 30 / 46 21 / 26 considered completely purified gases, devoid of potentially harmful substances, as well as particulates from the combustion of the feed gases and, in any case, free of elements that could compromise the efficiency of subsequent combustion.

[0069] As shown in figure 1, the feed and exhaust system 1 comprises a control unit 90 which, depending on the data from the oxygen concentration detection sensor 3, is able to control the opening / closing of the metering valve to dose a certain amount of oxygen through the injector 22.

[0070] Alternatively or in combination with the above-mentioned task, this control unit 90 is capable of controlling the operation of one or more heating fans 61,62.

[0071] In particular, the control unit 90 controls the rotation speed of such heating fans 61,62 depending on the air flow rate measured by said air flow meter 55 and / or depending on the sensor 3 to detect the oxygen concentration.

[0072] In practice, in the case of, for example, user acceleration and therefore a demand for greater power, the control unit 90 will analyze the flow rate of the purified exhaust gases and calculate, in relation to this measured flow rate, that necessary to satisfy the user's energy demand, thus increasing the rotation speed of said at least one heating fan (or both fans according to the embodiment described herein). Furthermore, the unit of Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 31 / 46 22 / 26 control 90 can also be used to measure the amount of oxygen detected by the sensor to detect the oxygen concentration 3 to improve the speed estimate of the heater fans, in order to ensure that the oxygen concentration required for the stoichiometric conditions between the oxidizer and the fuel is always ideal for combustion within the combustion engine 100.

[0073] Nevertheless, the data detected by the two sensors to measure the thermodynamic conditions 71 and 72 of the gas, such as temperature and pressure, are stored in the control unit and can be used to control the two heat fans 61 and 62.

[0074] In addition, the purifying means of system 1 comprise a cyclonic gas / water vapor separator 95 and a tank 96 for collecting the condensed water vapor contained in the exhaust gases and separated by the cyclonic gas / water vapor separator 95. This cyclonic separator 95 is preferably disposed downstream of the cooling device 4. In practice, the exhaust gases from the exhaust portion 102 reach the cooling device 4 where the exhaust gases are brought to a temperature that generates the condensation of the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases. This process also involves the retention of the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gases, since the condensed water is able to dilute and / or capture carbon dioxide and eliminate it from the exhaust gases.

[0075] In the embodiment described herein, the purifying means comprise, upstream of the device, Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pages 32 / 46 23 / 26 cooling 4 and along the exhaust line 2, a particle separator 97 to separate the particles contained in the exhaust gases from the gas itself. Preferably, this particle separator may be of the water and / or dry type. In other embodiments, the number of such particle separators 97 may also be greater than one and of the air and dry type, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. This particle separator is capable of filtering the solid particles contained in the exhaust gases.

[0076] Another tank 98 is also present to collect the particles separated by the particle separator 97.

[0077] Subsequently, the cyclone separator 95 separates the exhaust gases from the condensed water and water vapor. The water vapor is transferred to tank 96.

[0078] The remaining part of the exhaust gases then passes through the activated carbon filter 5a and the HEPA filter 5b to reach the exhaust line outlet 2. In an alternative embodiment, the exhaust gas also passes through one or more carbon dioxide filters.

[0079] The aforementioned sensor 3 for measuring the oxygen content of said exhaust gases is located along said exhaust line 2, immediately after exhaust portion 102 and upstream of cooling and condensation device 4.

[0080] At the end of exhaust line 2 there is a relief valve 99, which intervenes in case of overpressure, when for example the pressure inside exhaust pipe 2 exceeds 2.5 bar at that point. Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pages 33 / 46 24 / 26

[0081] In addition, the feed and exhaust system 1 comprises an injector device 99 for injecting the water contained in the tank 96. This water injector device 99 is arranged along said exhaust pipe 2 upstream of the cyclone separator 95 and downstream of the cooling and condensation device 4. In another embodiment, the injector device 99 may be arranged upstream of the particle separator 97. In another alternative embodiment, the number of injector devices 99 may also be greater than one, for example, two in number, and arranged upstream of the cyclone separator 95 and the particle separator 97, respectively.

[0082] However, in another embodiment, the water reaching the water injector device 96 can also be collected from a water storage / reserve container (not shown in the figures), instead of the tank 96, or both. The storage / reserve container is therefore separate from the water tank 96 and is filled by the user instead of the condensed water.

[0083] In both the embodiment mentioned above, in which there is a tank 96, and in that in which there is a water reservoir, the pressure to reach the injector device 99 can be achieved by means of an appropriate pump 101.

[0084] The water injected in spray form by the injector device (or injectors) is able to capture most of the carbon dioxide contained in the gas, along with the unburned particles present in the exhaust gases.

[0085] The exhaust gases, now purified, at the exit of the Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pages 34 / 46 25 / 26 exhaust pipe 2 and after being propelled by a first heater fan 61, they pass through the recirculation pipe 10 where oxygen is injected by means of injector 22. At this point, the oxygen-enriched exhaust gas passes through the intake portion 101 of the engine 100, thus becoming a feed gas for the combustion engine 100. This feed gas is mixed, in appropriate stoichiometric proportions, with the injected hydrocarbon-based fuel, for example, diesel, either directly into the cylinder of the combustion engine or along the intake line, so that combustion occurs within the combustion engine 100 itself.

[0086] The operating method of the fuel supply system 1 for the internal combustion engine 100, as described above and in any way in accordance with one or more of claims 1 to 16, comprises the steps of: a) to supply the internal combustion engine 100, or a thermal combustion unit, with a feed gas through the intake portion 101; a') to supply the internal combustion engine 100, or the aforementioned thermal combustion unit, with hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives, such as diesel for example; b) measure the level of oxygen concentration detected in said exhaust gases at the outlet of said exhaust portion 2, at the end of the combustion stage within the internal combustion engine between the feed gas and the hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives; c) to cool and condense the exhaust gases from Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pages 35 / 46 26 / 26 exhaust portion 102 of the internal combustion engine 100.

[0087] In addition, the method comprises the step of: d) causing the exhaust gases from the exhaust line 2 to recirculate along the recirculation pipe 10; ee) injecting oxygen into the recirculation pipe 10 to transform these exhaust gases at the outlet of the exhaust line 2 into the intake gases for the internal combustion engine, wherein the amount of oxygen injected is determined based on the oxygen content of the exhaust gases measured during step b); and step f) filtering the exhaust gases after step c) and before step d), to eliminate other solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in said exhaust gases, so as to purify them.

[0088] A quantity of oxygen is introduced into the recirculation pipe 10 during step e) to maintain the oxygen concentration of said feed gas at a suitable stoichiometric level, so that subsequent combustion occurs correctly within the internal combustion engine 100 or within the thermal combustion unit.

[0089] Finally, the method also comprises step g) of measuring the flow rate of exhaust gases passing through said recirculation pipe 10, and step h) of increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of one or more heaters 61,62 depending on the flow rate of purified exhaust gases measured in said step g) and / or the oxygen content of said exhaust gases measured in said step b). Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pages 36 / 46

Claims

1 / 7 CLAIMS 1) Fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine, or thermal combustion unit, operating with hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives and having at least one intake portion (101) for the entry of the fuel gas into said combustion engine (100) or said thermal combustion unit, and at least one exhaust portion (102) for the exit of the exhaust gases from said combustion engine (100) or said thermal combustion unit,the aforementioned system (1) characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor (3) for measuring the oxygen content of said exhaust gases emanating from said exhaust portion (102) and at least one exhaust line (2) fluidically connected to said exhaust portion (102) and being provided with a device (4) for cooling the exhaust gases and condensing the water vapor contained in said exhaust gases emanating from said exhaust portion and passing through said exhaust pipe (2), said system (1) is further characterized by including at least one recirculation pipe (10) for fluidically connecting said exhaust line (2) to said inlet portion (101) of said combustion engine (100) or said thermal combustion unit, and comprising means (20) for injecting oxygen, or a mixture of oxygen,in the aforementioned recirculation pipe (10) to transform the aforementioned exhaust gas at the outlet of the aforementioned exhaust line into the aforementioned feed gas, the amount of oxygen injected being established based on the oxygen content of the aforementioned exhaust gases measured by the aforementioned sensor to measure the oxygen content, the aforementioned feed and exhaust system also includes purifying means to purify the aforementioned exhaust gases along the aforementioned exhaust line (2) to eliminate other liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in the aforementioned exhaust gases. 2) System according to claim 1, characterized in that said injector means (20) comprise at least one injection line (21), at least one injector (22) disposed along said injection line and at least partially in said recirculation circuit, and at least one metering valve (23) disposed along said injection line, upstream of said at least one injector, for metering the amount of oxygen, or its mixture, to be injected by means of said injector (22). 3) System, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one tank (30) for containing oxygen, or a mixture thereof, said tank (30) being fluidically connected to said injection line (21), upstream of at least one metering valve (23). 4) System according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means (40) for generating oxygen, these oxygen generating means (40) being fluidically connected to said tank (30), or to said injection line, upstream of at least one metering valve (23). 5) System, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one recirculation pipe (10) comprises at least one expansion vessel (15). 6) System, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises one or more heating fans (61, 62) arranged along said recirculation piping, said heating fans preferably being at least two, one of which is arranged upstream of said at least one injector and one downstream of said at least one injector, and more preferably at least one heating fan (61) upstream and one heating fan (62) downstream of said expansion vessel (15). 7) System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes at least one purified exhaust gas flow meter (55) disposed along said recirculation piping (10). 8) System, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one first sensor for measuring thermodynamic conditions (71), disposed along said at least one recirculation pipe downstream of said at least one injector, and at least one second sensor for measuring thermodynamic conditions (72), disposed along said at least one recirculation pipe (10) upstream of said at least one injector (22). 9) System, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one control unit (90) capable of controlling the opening and / or closing of at least one metering valve (23) Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, page 39 / 46 4 / 7 and / or controlling the operation of at least one or more heating fans (61,62). 10) System, according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that said control unit controls the rotation speed of one or more heating fans (61, 62) depending on the flow rate of purified exhaust gases measured by said flow meter (55) and / or depending on said sensor to detect the oxygen concentration (3). 11) System according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said control unit is capable of controlling the opening and / or closing of at least one metering valve (23) depending on data from at least one sensor to detect the oxygen concentration (3) to dose a certain amount of oxygen by means of said at least one injector. 12) System, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said purifying means comprise at least one cyclonic gas / water vapor separator (95) and at least one tank (96) for collecting the condensed water vapor contained in said exhaust gas and separated from said cyclonic gas / water vapor separator (95), said cyclonic gas / water vapor separator being preferably disposed downstream of said cooling device (4). 13) System, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said purifying means further comprise one or more filters (5a, 5b) disposed along said exhaust line (2), it being Petition 870250065744, dated 29 / 07 / 2025, page 40 / 46 5 / 7 that one or more filters are preferably disposed downstream of said at least one cyclone separator (95). 14) System according to claim 13, characterized in that one or more filters are selected from activated carbon filters, HEPA filters and carbon dioxide filters. 15) System according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said purifying means comprise, upstream of said cooling device (4) and along said exhaust line (2), at least one water and / or dry type particle separator (97). 16) System, according to one or more of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that said purifying means comprise at least one injector device (99) for injecting the water contained in said water collection tank (96), or in a storage / reserve container, said at least one water injector device (98) being disposed along said exhaust pipe (2), upstream of said cyclone separator (95) and / or said particle separator (97). 17) Method of operation of a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine, or thermal combustion unit, according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) supplying said internal combustion engine, or said thermal combustion unit, with a fuel gas through said intake portion; a') supplying said internal combustion engine, or said thermal combustion unit, with said hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives; b) measuring the oxygen concentration level detected in said exhaust gases at the outlet of said exhaust portion, at the end of the combustion stage within said internal combustion engine between said fuel gases and said hydrocarbon-based fuel or its derivatives;c) cooling and condensing the exhaust gases from said exhaust portion of said internal combustion engine or said thermal combustion unit; characterized in that it comprises the steps of: d) causing said exhaust gases from at least one exhaust line to recirculate along at least one recirculation pipe (10); e) injecting oxygen into said recirculation pipe (10) to transform said exhaust gases at the outlet of said exhaust line into said feed gases for said internal combustion engine, characterized in that the amount of oxygen injected is established based on the oxygen content measured in said step b) of said exhaust gases;and step f) of filtering said exhaust gases after said step c) and before said step d), to eliminate other liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous combustion products contained in said exhaust gases. 18) Method according to claim 17, characterized in that said step e) introduces a quantity of oxygen so as to maintain the oxygen concentration of said feed gas at a stoichiometric level suitable for subsequent combustion to occur correctly within the internal combustion engine, or within said thermal combustion unit. 19) A method, according to any one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that it comprises step g) of measuring the flow rate of exhaust gases passing through said recirculation piping, and step h) of increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of one or more heating fans as a function of said purified exhaust gas flow rate measured in said step g) and / or the oxygen content of said exhaust gases measured in said step b). Petition 870250065744, dated 07 / 29 / 2025, pp. 43 / 46

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