Power system and engine cleaning method

Abstract

According to the power system and the engine cleaning method, the state that carbon deposits in an engine and an exhaust pipe are not prone to being accumulated can be maintained. The power system includes: an engine; a power unit arranged to be driven by the engine; and a gas supply part configured to supply a cleaning gas containing hydrogen and oxygen. The gas supply unit is arranged so as to continuously supply the cleaning gas to the intake port of the engine when the power unit is driven by the engine. In the engine cleaning method, when an engine drives a power unit, a cleaning gas containing hydrogen and oxygen is continuously supplied to an intake port of the engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power system and an engine cleaning method. Background Art

[0002] The engine cleaning methods are described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The engine cleaning method described in Patent Document 1 is to supply hydrogen to the combustion chamber of the engine. The engine cleaning method described in Patent Document 2 is to supply a mixed gas of hydrogen and oxygen to the intake port of the engine. The engine cleaning methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are intended to remove carbon accumulated inside the engine and in the exhaust pipe.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature:

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7093579

[0006] [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5926359 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] Even if carbon deposits can be temporarily removed by implementing the engine cleaning methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, carbon will accumulate again inside the engine and in the exhaust pipe as the engine continues to be used. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a power system and an engine cleaning method are preferably provided that can maintain a state in which carbon deposits are difficult to accumulate inside the engine and in the exhaust pipe.

[0009] Means of solving problems

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure includes: an engine, a power unit configured to be driven by the engine, and a gas supply unit configured to supply a clean gas containing hydrogen and oxygen, wherein the gas supply unit is configured to continuously supply the clean gas to an air intake of the engine when the power unit is driven by the engine, which is a power system. The power system according to one aspect of the present disclosure can maintain a state in which carbon deposits are difficult to accumulate inside the engine and in the exhaust pipe.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an engine cleaning method in which a clean gas containing hydrogen and oxygen is continuously supplied to an air intake of the engine while the engine drives a power unit.

[0012] An engine cleaning method according to another aspect of the present disclosure can maintain a state in which carbon deposits are difficult to accumulate inside the engine and in the exhaust pipe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1It is a block diagram showing the composition of the power system.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a photograph showing a cloth for collecting soot exhausted from an exhaust pipe before the first day of operation in Example 3.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a photograph showing a cloth used to collect soot discharged from an exhaust pipe after the fourth day of operation in Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] <First embodiment>

[0018] 1. Composition of power system 1

[0019] based on Figure 1 The configuration of the power system 1 will be described. The power system 1 is a power source of, for example, a mobile object, a generator, a construction machine, etc. Examples of the mobile object include ships, vehicles, and aircraft. The power system 1 is installed in, for example, a mobile object, a generator, a construction machine, etc.

[0020] The power system 1 includes an engine 3, a power unit 5, a gas supply unit 7, an exhaust pipe 9, and a generator 11. Examples of the engine 3 include a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, and a gas engine.

[0021] The power unit 5 is a component configured to be driven by the engine 3. As the power unit 5, for example, a propeller of a ship, a wheel of a vehicle, etc. can be cited. For example, the power unit 5 can be switched between a state connected to the engine 3 and a state separated from the engine 3. When the power unit 5 is connected to the engine 3, it is driven by the engine 3. When the power unit 5 is separated from the engine 3, the power unit 5 is not driven by the engine 3 even if the engine 3 is running.

[0022] The gas supply portion 7 is a component configured to supply clean gas containing hydrogen and oxygen to the air intake port 8 of the engine 3. The gas supply portion 7 continuously supplies the clean gas to the air intake port 8 when the power unit 5 is driven by the engine 3.

[0023] The time when the power unit 5 is driven by the engine 3 includes, for example, when the mobile body equipped with the power system 1 is moving, when the mobile body equipped with the power system 1 is stopped but the engine 3 is still running, when the generator equipped with the power system 1 is generating electricity, and when the construction machinery equipped with the power system 1 is running. When the mobile body is moving, for example, it includes when a ship is sailing and when a vehicle is driving.

[0024] The gas supply unit 7 includes a gas generator 21, a battery 23, and a main switch 25. The gas generator 21 is a device that generates a clean gas containing hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution in which an electrolyte is dissolved. Examples of the electrolyte include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium sulfate, and sodium bicarbonate. The concentration of the electrolyte in the aqueous electrolyte solution is, for example, 0.1 to 10% by mass, preferably 0.5 to 5% by mass.

[0025] As a commercially available product of the gas generating device 21, there can be cited the mixed fuel reduction device HFR-3000 (manufactured by EightFactory Co., Ltd., registered trademark) and the like. In addition, paragraphs 0026 to 0035 and Figure 2 “Clean gas generating device 2” described in.

[0026] The cleaning gas is, for example, a gas with hydrogen and oxygen as main components. For example, in the cleaning gas, the volume ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is 2:1. For example, the cleaning gas does not contain any components other than hydrogen and oxygen except for impurities. Impurities may include water vapor, trace components in the atmosphere, etc. The cleaning gas may also contain some or all of O in addition to hydrogen and oxygen. - (monovalent oxygen free radical), O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent), OH - (hydroxyl radicals), and O3 (ozone).

[0027] The clean gas generated by the gas generating device 21 is supplied to the air inlet 8. The air inlet 8 sucks the clean gas together with the air. For example, the clean gas is naturally sucked from the air inlet 8. The more air the air inlet 8 sucks, the more clean gas is sucked into the air inlet 8.

[0028] The battery 23 provides power for electrolysis of the gas generating device 21. The main switch 25 is used to open or close the electrical connection between the battery 23 and the gas generating device 21. The main switch 25 is in the open state when the engine 3 is running. When the engine 3 is stopped, the main switch 25 is in the closed state.

[0029] The exhaust pipe 9 discharges the exhaust gas generated by the engine 3. The generator 11 uses the driving force of the engine 3 to charge the battery 23. The voltage of the battery 23 to supply power to the gas generating device 21 increases as the speed of the engine 3 increases. For example, when the speed of the engine 3 is 600 rpm, the voltage of the battery 23 to supply power to the gas generating device 21 is 24 V. For another example, when the speed of the engine 3 is 3000 rpm, the voltage of the battery 23 to supply power to the gas generating device 21 is 30 V. Therefore, the gas supply unit 7 supplies more clean gas to the air inlet 8 when the speed of the engine 3 is higher.

[0030] 2. Engine cleaning method performed by power system 1

[0031] When the engine 3 drives the power unit 5 , the power system 1 continuously supplies clean gas to the air intake 8 of the engine 3 .

[0032] The time when the engine 3 drives the power unit 5 includes, for example, when the mobile body equipped with the power system 1 is moving, when the generator equipped with the power system 1 is generating electricity, and when the construction machinery equipped with the power system 1 is operating. When the mobile body is moving, for example, it includes when a ship is sailing and when a vehicle is driving.

[0033] The greater the amount of air sucked into the air intake port 8, the greater the amount of clean gas sucked into the air intake port 8. The gas supply unit 7 supplies more clean gas to the air intake port 8 when the rotation speed of the engine 3 is higher.

[0034] 3. Effect of power system 1 and engine cleaning method

[0035] (1A) When the power unit 5 is driven by the engine 3, the power system 1 continuously supplies the clean gas to the intake port 8. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a state in which carbon deposits are unlikely to accumulate inside the engine 3 and in the exhaust pipe 9.

[0036] (1B) In the engine cleaning method performed by the power system 1, when the engine 3 drives the power unit 5, the clean gas is continuously supplied to the intake port 8 of the engine 3. Therefore, the interior of the engine 3 and the exhaust pipe 9 can be kept in a state where carbon deposits are unlikely to accumulate.

[0037] (1C) In the power system 1 and the engine cleaning method, the more air is sucked into the air intake port 8, the more clean gas is sucked into the air intake port 8. Therefore, even if the speed of the engine 3 changes and the amount of air sucked into the air intake port 8 changes, the concentration of the clean gas inside the engine 3 can be maintained within an appropriate range. The appropriate range refers to a range that can suppress the adhesion of carbon inside the engine 3 and on the exhaust pipe 9 and reduce the load on the engine 3.

[0038] (1D) In ​​the power system 1 and the engine cleaning method, as the rotation speed of the engine 3 increases, more clean gas is supplied to the air intake port 8. Therefore, even if the rotation speed of the engine 3 changes and the air intake amount of the air intake port 8 changes, the concentration of the clean gas inside the engine 3 can be maintained within an appropriate range. The appropriate range refers to a range that can suppress the adhesion of carbon inside the engine 3 and on the exhaust pipe 9 and reduce the load on the engine 3.

[0039] (1E) The power system 1 can reduce the amount of fuel consumed by the engine 3 compared to a case where the clean gas is not supplied to the intake port 8. The reason is presumably that the hydrogen contained in the clean gas functions as a fuel for the engine 3.

[0040] (1F) The power system 1 supplies power to the gas generating device 21 through the generator 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to equip the gas generating device 21 with a dedicated power source.

[0041] (1G) In the power system 1 and the engine cleaning method, the amount of clean gas supplied to the engine 3 per unit time can be less than that required in the engine cleaning methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Therefore, the load on the engine 3 is small, and the service life of the engine 3 can be extended.

[0042] 4. Example 1

[0043] (1) Configuration of Power System 1 in Embodiment 1

[0044] A power system 1 having the structure described in the aforementioned "1. Structure of the power system 1" is prepared. In the present embodiment, the power system 1 is installed on a ship. The power system 1 is the power source of the ship. The ship is a 7.3-ton EP ship. The power unit 5 is the propeller of the ship. The engine 3 is a YANMAR 6CA-GT. The gas generating device 21 is a Hybrid Fuel Reducer HFR-3000 (manufactured by Eight Factory Co., Ltd.). The clean gas contains hydrogen and oxygen as main components. In the clean gas, the volume ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is 2:1. In addition to hydrogen and oxygen, the clean gas also contains O - (monovalent oxygen free radical), O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent), OH - (hydroxyl radicals), and O3 (ozone).

[0045] (2) Fuel efficiency measurement

[0046] The ship is operated under the following conditions A and B respectively.

[0047] Condition A: During the operation of the ship, clean gas is always continuously supplied to the air inlet 8. The more air the air inlet 8 inhales, the more clean gas is inhaled into the air inlet 8. In addition, the gas supply unit 7 supplies more clean gas to the air inlet 8 as the speed of the engine 3 increases. The relationship between the speed of the engine 3 and the voltage V supplied by the battery 23 to the gas generating device 21 is shown in Table 1.

[0048] Table 1:

[0049] Engine 3 speed (rpm) Voltage (V) 500 22.7 1000 23.9 1500 25.2 2000 26.4 2500 27.7 3000 28.9

[0050] Condition B: During the operation of the ship, no clean gas is supplied to the air inlet 8 at all.

[0051] The fuel consumption per hour of the ship (hereinafter referred to as fuel efficiency) was calculated under conditions A and B. The results are shown in Table 2. The fuel efficiency was measured twice under conditions A and B respectively.

[0052] Table 2:

[0053]

[0054] The fuel efficiency under condition A significantly reduces fuel consumption compared to condition B.

[0055] 5. Example 2

[0056] (1) Configuration of the power system 1 in Embodiment 2

[0057] A power system 1 having the structure described in the aforementioned "1. Structure of power system 1" is prepared. In this embodiment, the power system 1 is installed on a diesel generator. The power system 1 is the power source of the diesel generator. The engine 3 is a diesel engine (manufactured by Yamaha, model: 4TNE88-RAG2). The gas generating device 21 is a Hybrid Fuel Reducer HFR-3000 (manufactured by Eight Factory Co., Ltd.). The clean gas contains hydrogen and oxygen as main components. In the clean gas, the volume ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is 2:1. In addition to hydrogen and oxygen, the clean gas also contains O - (monovalent oxygen free radical), O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent), OH - (hydroxyl radicals), and O3 (ozone).

[0058] (2) Operation of diesel generator

[0059] The diesel generator was operated every day for 7 days. The diesel generator was operated continuously for 2 hours on the first day. From the 2nd to the 7th day, the diesel generator was operated continuously for 1 hour every day. During the operation of the diesel generator, clean gas was always supplied to the air intake 8. After the first day of operation, a large amount of carbon fell off the injector of the engine 3.

[0060] At the end of the operation on the 1st, 4th and 7th days, the piston top, cylinder top and cylinder valve surface of the engine 3 were observed respectively. The observation results confirmed that the carbon deposits in the engine 3 were reduced. The reason for the reduction of carbon deposits in the above test is presumed as follows.

[0061] The carbon mentioned here refers to carbon atoms produced by the decomposition of hydrocarbons, or smoke formed by the condensation of carbon atoms. Since black substances are considered to be agglomerates of carbon, the substances released into the air or attached to the wall are called smoke. Since the size (i.e., diameter) of carbon atoms is shorter than the wavelength of visible light, they cannot be identified by the naked eye even if released into the air. However, when these carbon atoms gather to a certain number and the size of the gathered smoke reaches or exceeds the wavelength of visible light, it can be identified with the naked eye and appears as black smoke.

[0062] Similarly, when smoke adheres to the combustion chamber of the engine 3 or the exhaust pipe wall, if its size reaches a certain level, it will become black smoke visible to the naked eye, just like carbon condensed in the air.

[0063] On the other hand, it is estimated that in the power system 1, the clean gas generated by the electrolysis of water contains some or all of the following radicals (i) to (iv) and ozone.

[0064] (i)O - (Oxygen free radical monovalent)

[0065] (ii)O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent)

[0066] (iii) OH - (Hydroxy Radical)

[0067] (iv) O3 (ozone)

[0068] Because O - (Oxygen free radical monovalent) has a high reactivity and may combine with carbon in the smoke to form CO. Through this reaction, the smoke in the air or on the wall will be reduced. It should be noted that the generated CO (carbon monoxide) is a colorless and transparent gas at normal temperature and pressure, so even if it is emitted, it is difficult to identify with the naked eye. Therefore, the carbon itself does not disappear, but is emitted in another form, so only the reduction of smoke can be identified.

[0069] O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent) may react with O - (Oxygen free radical monovalent) reacts to generate CO2 (carbon dioxide). Since CO2 (carbon dioxide) is also a colorless and transparent gas at normal temperature and pressure, it is difficult to identify with the naked eye even if it is emitted. In addition, since CO (carbon monoxide) is non-polar, it will not dissolve in polar solvents such as water, but CO2 (carbon dioxide) will dissolve in water, so it will be discharged together with the water in the exhaust gas, making its emission even more difficult to identify.

[0070] O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent) due to the ratio of O -(oxygen free radical monovalent) has a higher reactivity and therefore may combine with carbon in the smoke to form CO. Through this reaction, the reduction of smoke is closely related to the reduction of O - The reaction results are the same as in the case of (monovalent oxygen free radical).

[0071] OH - (Hydroxy radical) has high activity and will undergo the following reaction: two OH - (Hydroxy radicals) combine to form H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide).

[0072] OH - +OH - =H2O2

[0073] However, since H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) is unstable, it will undergo the following reaction to decompose into water and O - (Oxygen free radical is monovalent). The O - (Oxygen free radicals monovalent) will reduce smoke through the same process as above.

[0074] H2O2=H2O+O -

[0075] O3 (ozone) is also highly reactive and therefore may react with carbon in smoke and - (monovalent oxygen free radical), O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent) and OH - (hydroxyl radicals) reduce smoke through a similar process. However, O3 (ozone) decomposes at temperatures above about 400°C by the following reaction.

[0076] O3=O2+O -

[0077] Therefore, as described in the present disclosure, when the clean gas is introduced into the air intake 8 of the engine 3, O3 (ozone) is likely to decompose after entering the engine combustion chamber. Therefore, it is more likely that O3 (ozone) does not work directly, but the O3 (ozone) generated after decomposition is generated. - (Oxygen free radicals monovalent) reduce smoke through their action process.

[0078] Next, the reason why the fuel efficiency is improved under condition A in embodiment 1 is presumed to be as follows: The reduction of smoke is directed to the smoke existing in the exhaust gas of the engine 3 , while the improvement of fuel efficiency is directed to the reaction of the fuel during the combustion process of the engine 3 .

[0079] When discussing fuel efficiency, the following describes the efficiency of Engine 3. The efficiency of Engine 3 refers to the ratio of the energy obtained from the fuel input to the energy produced by Engine 3. On the other hand, fuel efficiency refers to the amount of work obtained compared to the cost of the fuel input. Therefore, an increase in fuel efficiency can be seen as an increase in efficiency. The definition formula of Engine 3 efficiency is as follows:

[0080] Engine 3 efficiency = combustion efficiency × mechanical conversion efficiency

[0081] The combustion efficiency refers to the proportion of the input fuel that participates in the combustion, ie, the oxidation reaction. The mechanical conversion efficiency refers to the proportion of the heat energy generated by the combustion of the fuel that is converted into kinetic energy by the mechanism of the engine 3 .

[0082] Therefore, the reason for the improved efficiency is either the improved combustion efficiency or the improved mechanical conversion efficiency. According to the effect of the present disclosure, it is difficult to believe that this is due to the influence on the mechanism of the engine 3, and it is more likely to be the former, that is, the improved combustion efficiency. Combustion is the reaction of C (carbon) or H (hydrogen) in the fuel with O (oxygen), and the increase in this reaction ratio leads to the improvement of combustion efficiency. During the combustion process of the engine 3, the fuel components that fail to participate in the reaction will be discharged in the form of HC (hydrocarbons).

[0083] Here, some or all of the free radicals (i) to (iv) and ozone generated by water electrolysis performed by the power system 1 contribute to combustion. These free radicals (i) to (iv) and ozone are substances that promote oxidation reactions, and their basic mechanism is the same as the above-mentioned smoke reduction reaction.

[0084] Here, the aforementioned reduction of smoke is aimed at the smoke existing in the exhaust gas of the engine 3, while the improvement of fuel efficiency is aimed at the fuel reaction during the combustion process of the engine 3. That is, the target is the carbon molecules contained in the gas produced after the decomposition of the gasified fuel in the combustion chamber. In addition, the target also includes the hydrogen contained in the gas produced after the decomposition of the gasified fuel in the combustion chamber. Therefore, by promoting the oxidation reaction, that is, increasing the proportion of fuel that effectively participates in the reaction in the input fuel (that is, the combustion efficiency), the fuel efficiency is improved.

[0085] 6. Example 3

[0086] (1) Configuration of the power system 1 in Embodiment 3

[0087] A power system 1 having the structure described in the above "1. Structure of power system 1" is prepared. In this embodiment, the power system 1 is installed on a vehicle. The power system 1 is a power source of the vehicle. The power unit 5 is the wheel of the vehicle. The engine 3 is a diesel engine (manufactured by Nissan, model: KC-CD45). The displacement of the engine 3 is 12500cc.

[0088] The gas generating device 21 is a Hybrid Fuel Reducer HFR-3000 (manufactured by Eight Factory Co., Ltd.). The cleaning gas contains hydrogen and oxygen as main components. The volume ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in the cleaning gas is 2:1. In addition to hydrogen and oxygen, the cleaning gas also contains O - (monovalent oxygen free radical), O 2- (oxygen free radical divalent), OH - (hydroxyl radicals), and O3 (ozone).

[0089] (2) Vehicle operation

[0090] The vehicle was operated every day for 4 days. On the first day, during the operation of the vehicle, clean gas was not supplied to the air intake port 8 at all. From the second to the fourth day, clean gas was continuously supplied to the air intake port 8 during the operation of the vehicle. The more air the air intake port 8 sucked, the more clean gas was sucked into the air intake port 8. In addition, the gas supply unit 7 supplies more clean gas to the air intake port 8 as the rotation speed of the engine 3 increases.

[0091] The vehicle travel distance on each day, daily diesel consumption, and travel distance per liter of diesel are shown in Table 3.

[0092] Table 3:

[0093] Daily driving distance (km) Daily diesel consumption (liters) Distance per litre of diesel (km / litre) Day 1 48 14.27 3.36 the next day 48 12.24 3.92 Day 3 49 11.35 4.32 Day 4 48 11.17 4.30

[0094] As shown in Table 3, when clean gas was continuously supplied to the air intake port 8 from the 2nd to the 4th day, the driving distance per liter of diesel was significantly longer than the driving distance when clean gas was not supplied to the air intake port 8 at all on the first day.

[0095] Before the first day of operation, the smoke discharged from the exhaust pipe 9 is collected on a gray cloth. Figure 2 After the fourth day of operation, the smoke discharged from the exhaust pipe 9 was collected on a gray cloth. Figure 3 As shown. Before the first day of operation, more smoke and dust were discharged from the exhaust pipe 9. After the fourth day of operation, the smoke and dust discharged from the exhaust pipe 9 was significantly reduced.

[0096] <Other embodiments>

[0097] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made.

[0098] (1) In each of the above embodiments, the function of one component may be shared by multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be performed by one component. In addition, some of the components of each of the above embodiments may be omitted. In addition, at least some of the components of each of the above embodiments may be added to or replaced by components of other embodiments.

[0099] (2) In addition to the above-mentioned power system 1, the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms such as a higher-level system constituting the power system 1, a control method of the power system 1, and a method for improving the fuel efficiency of an engine.

[0100] Explanation of symbols:

[0101] 1. Power system; 3. Engine; 5. Power unit; 7. Gas supply unit; 8. Air inlet; 9. Exhaust pipe; 11. Generator; 21. Gas generating device; 23. Battery; 25. Main switch.

Claims

1. A power system comprising an engine, a power unit driven by the engine, and a gas supply unit configured to supply a clean gas containing hydrogen and oxygen, characterized in that: The gas supply unit is configured to continuously supply the clean gas to an air intake of the engine when the power unit is driven by the engine.

2. The power system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The more air the air intake port sucks in, the more clean gas the air intake port sucks in.

3. The power system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The gas supply unit supplies more of the clean gas as the rotation speed of the engine increases.

4. An engine cleaning method, characterized in that: When the engine drives the power unit, the clean gas containing hydrogen and oxygen is continuously supplied to the air intake of the engine.

5. The engine cleaning method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The greater the suction amount of the air inlet is, the greater the amount of the clean gas sucked into the air inlet is.

6. The engine cleaning method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The higher the engine speed is, the more clean gas is supplied.

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