Internal combustion engine and method for operating it

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating an internal combustion engine according to the features of the preamble of claim 3.

[0002] WO 2014 / 040606 A1 and WO 2013 / 076811 A1 each disclose internal combustion engines with exhaust gas recirculation.

[0003] From EP 2 002 101 A1 an internal combustion engine is known which can be operated with two different gaseous fuels, wherein the mixing ratio of the two fuels is adjusted depending on the engine size.

[0004] There are a number of applications for internal combustion engines where these are powered by a fuel that has a relatively low calorific value and, in some cases, a calorific value that varies greatly. A concrete example is a gas engine powered by so-called low-BTU gas, which may come from a coal mine, for example. Since this low-BTU gas (BTU: British Thermal Unit) not only has a low calorific value but also a calorific value that varies greatly, it is state of the art to add a stabilizing gas to the fuel gas, which ensures combustion even when the fuel gas temporarily has a very low calorific value. This is implemented, for example, in the applicant's Series 6, Model 620 E51.

[0005] The admixture is carried out in such a way that this condition for ensuring combustion is just barely met. It is important to use stabilizing gas sparingly, as it must be purchased separately and is usually more expensive than the fuel gas due to its better flammability.

[0006] Hydrogen- and / or methane-containing gases are preferably used as stabilizing gases, for example, pure hydrogen or pure methane, as well as natural gas or coke oven gas. In principle, any gas that enables continuous operation of an internal combustion engine can be used as a stabilizing gas.

[0007] The above-described effort to use as little stabilizing gas as possible has given rise to a further development. Continuously measuring the composition of the fuel gas before it is fed to the combustion engine and using this to determine the current calorific value is known. In this way, more stabilizing gas can be added specifically when the fuel gas has a particularly low calorific value. The disadvantage of this is that the measuring instruments required to analyze the fuel gas, such as gas chromatographs or mass spectrometers, are quite complex. These analysis methods are relatively slow, making it impossible to precisely admix stabilizing gas when the calorific values ​​of the fuel gas are changing rapidly. They are also expensive, and there is an increased risk of failure, which necessitates a return to the method of constant admixture of stabilizing gas described above.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine and a method for operating an internal combustion engine, whereby safe operation during the combustion of fuel gas with a variable and / or too low calorific value as well as efficient use of stabilizing gas are enabled.

[0009] This object is achieved by an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 3.

[0010] This is done by controlling or regulating an amount of the stabilizing gas supplied to the at least one combustion chamber depending on the at least one engine size.

[0011] The invention is based on the realization that, in many cases, existing sensors on the combustion engine can be used to measure combustion quality. The invention thus allows for the efficient and targeted use of stabilizing gas while maintaining essentially the same level of effort for the measuring devices.

[0012] Even in the opposite case, where the fuel gas has a calorific value that is too high for the combustion engine, stable operation can be ensured by using a stabilizing gas. By using a stabilizing gas with a lower calorific value, it is possible to ensure that a gas mixture with a calorific value acceptable for the combustion engine is always present in the combustion chamber.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, stabilizing gas can also be used when other fuel gas parameters are not suitable for the existing combustion engine. An important example here is the flame speed. This means that if a fuel gas with a flame speed that is too low (too high) is present, a stabilizing gas with a higher (lower) flame speed can be added to provide a mixture with the correct flame speed for the combustion engine.

[0014] If several parameters of the fuel gas are not suitable for the combustion engine, several different stabilizing gases can of course be used to adapt the gas to be burned.

[0015] All possible applications of a generic internal combustion engine or a generic method discussed with reference to the prior art can also be provided in an internal combustion engine or method according to the invention.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0017] The invention can preferably be used in gas engines with 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 cylinders.

[0018] The invention is preferably used in stationary combustion engines, in particular spark-ignited, which are preferably coupled to an electric generator for power generation or are used to directly drive machines, in particular pumps and compressors.

[0019] The quantity of stabilizing gas, fuel gas, or air supplied to the at least one combustion chamber can preferably be understood as a molar quantity of the gases. In principle, a quantity based on a mass-based quantity concept can be used for regulation or control. However, it is also possible, for example, to specify the quantity of the gases based on their chemical energy content.

[0020] According to the invention, a lambda sensor for measuring a lambda value (excess air ratio) can be provided as an engine variable, which is connected to the control or regulating device. The lambda sensor can preferably be arranged in the exhaust tract. The measured lambda value is then used according to the invention to regulate or control the supply of the stabilizing gas, whereby the amount of stabilizing gas supplied is increased if a lower lambda limit is undershot.

[0021] The lambda value can also be determined in the intake pipe by measuring the oxygen content and fed into the engine control system.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the lambda value can be determined using an oxygen sensor, since the oxygen sensor's measured values ​​can be used to determine the lambda value. Of course, other sensors whose measured values ​​allow the lambda value to be determined can also be used. A carbon monoxide sensor is one example.

[0023] Further embodiments are according to the invention, wherein the at least one sensor is provided for measuring at least one pressure of a mixture of fuel gas, stabilizing gas, and air present in the at least one combustion chamber during combustion as an engine variable, which is connected to the control or regulating device. According to the invention, a time variable that is characteristic of the combustion rate of the gas present in the at least one combustion chamber is calculated from the cylinder pressure thus detected. According to the invention, the time variable is taken into account in the control or regulating of the stabilizing gas.

[0024] Wherever a pressure sensor is mentioned in the present disclosure, it is also conceivable to use an ion current sensor or a sensor for detecting the temperature in the at least one combustion chamber.

[0025] The measured values ​​of these sensors can also be used to draw conclusions about the characteristic combustion process.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, exactly one sensor—in particular a pressure sensor—is provided per combustion chamber. In this way, an individual time variable can be calculated for each combustion chamber. In another preferred embodiment, it can be provided that these individual time variables are averaged or a median of the individual time variables is calculated in order to improve the accuracy of the time variable to be calculated. However, it is also conceivable to control or regulate the admixtures of the stabilizing gas individually for each combustion chamber.

[0027] When determining the time variable and / or the individual time variable, the so-called "mass fraction burned" (MFB) can be used. For its definition, refer to sections 9.1 and 9.2, particularly 9.2.1 and 9.2.2, of the textbook "Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals" by Heywood (McGraw-Hill, 1988). A point in time at which the MFB reaches a defined portion of its maximum can be used as the time variable and / or individual time variable. Preferred values ​​for this portion for the present invention are between 30% and 80%, in particular between 40% and 65%, and most preferably 50%. The time variable and / or individual time variable generated in this way is referred to as MFB50 (for a 50% portion; analogous for other selected portions).

[0028] The proportion can also be between 0% and 10%. The time variable and / or individual time variable is then referred to as ignition delay. For the definition of this, see Section 9.2.3 of the textbook "Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals" by Heywood (McGraw-Hill, 1988).

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a pressure profile in the at least one combustion chamber is measured by means of the at least one pressure sensor during combustion and used to calculate the time variable. This can preferably be achieved by measuring a plurality of pressure values ​​by the at least one pressure sensor. The more pressure values ​​supplied by the at least one pressure sensor per combustion, i.e., the higher the temporal resolution of the measured pressure profile, the more accurately the time variable determined therefrom can be calculated.

[0030] This applies in particular to the following further development of this embodiment. It can be provided that a heating curve is calculated as the difference between the pressure curve and a drag pressure curve, as well as a cumulative heating curve as an integral of the heating curve, and the cumulative heating curve is used to calculate the time variable. The drag pressure is understood to be a pressure curve in the combustion chamber without combustion. For example, in a piston-cylinder unit, the pressure changes periodically during drag operation, even when no combustion is taking place. The drag pressure curve can be determined experimentally, by simulation, or by analytical calculation. This embodiment makes it possible to record the exact combustion curve in the combustion chamber.

[0031] A time variable or individual time variable based on the MFB can be easily determined from the heating curve by using a point in time at which the cumulative heating curve reaches a defined proportion of its maximum as the time variable or as the individual time variable, wherein the proportion is between 30% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 65% and particularly preferably 50%.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, a percentage between 0% and 20% can be used. In this case, the time variable or individual time variable is referred to as the ignition delay.

[0033] The use of ignition delay can be advantageous because the flow conditions in the cylinder are relatively simple at the beginning of combustion (e.g., compared to the point of combustion center). This requires a sufficiently high pressure level at the beginning of the combustion process for at least one pressure sensor.

[0034] However, the time variable can also be calculated in other ways. Here are some examples: Maximum of the differential heating law, determination of the area center of gravity of the differential heating law, the position of the peak value of the cylinder pressure (in this way a combustion center of gravity can be determined very easily), evaluation of the cylinder pressure flanks (this procedure is briefly discussed in the figure description, see Figure 3 ).

[0035] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be provided to use both a lambda probe and at least one pressure sensor arranged in the at least one combustion chamber. However, it is also conceivable to calculate the lambda value from measured values ​​of the at least one pressure sensor instead of measuring it with a lambda probe.

[0036] A first mixing device for producing a premixture of fuel gas and air and a second mixing device connected to the first mixing device for producing a main mixture of the premixture and stabilizing gas can be provided, wherein the main mixture can be fed to the at least one combustion chamber.

[0037] A control valve connected to the control or regulating device can be provided in a stabilizing gas supply line for providing stabilizing gas.

[0038] Further advantages and details of the invention are apparent from the figures and the accompanying descriptions. They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an internal combustion engine according to the invention, Fig. 2a and 2b show two diagrams for determining the time variable in a first embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a diagram for determining the time variable in a second embodiment, and Fig. 4 shows a control concept of an internal combustion engine according to the invention or a method according to the invention.

[0039] The internal combustion engine 1 has a supply of fuel gas B and stabilizing gas S. The fuel gas B is supplied to a first mixing device 7 via a fuel gas supply line 11. Air L is also supplied to the first mixing device 7 via the air supply line 12. The premixture produced in the first mixing device 7 is supplied to a second mixing device 8. In the second mixing device 8, stabilizing gas S is added to the premixture via the stabilizing gas supply line 9, thereby creating the main mixture, which is supplied to the combustion chambers 2. Ten combustion chambers 2 are shown purely as an example. However, the number of combustion chambers 2 is not relevant to the invention per se. For the sake of clarity, not all combustion chambers 2 and not all pressure sensors 3 are provided with reference symbols.

[0040] Especially in the case of mine or mine gas, the air supply line 12 and the supply of the fuel gas B can be swapped, unlike shown, so that the fuel gas B flows in freely and air is added via a control valve 10.

[0041] In this embodiment, the combustion chambers are designed as piston-cylinder units. A turbocharger 16 is provided. Multiple turbochargers 16 may also be present (not shown).

[0042] The turbocharger 16 has a bypass valve 17 on the compressor side and a wastegate 18 on the turbine side. By means of this, the boost pressure and the charge air quantity can be quickly influenced, whereby the power output of the combustion engine 1 and the emissions can be regulated.

[0043] In this embodiment, the combustion engine 1 drives a generator 5 to generate electricity.

[0044] In the exhaust pipe 20 there is a lambda probe 14 connected to the control device 4. For the functioning of the control device 4, Figure 4 referred to.

[0045] A pressure sensor 3 is provided for each combustion chamber 2, which measures the pressure curves during combustion in the combustion chambers 2. The measured values ​​are transmitted to the control device 4, which then calculates the time variable. This is done according to the method described with the aid of the Figures 2a and 2b described below.

[0046] In addition to the measured values ​​of the lambda sensor 14 and the pressure sensors 3, the measured values ​​of the boost pressure sensor 6, the charging temperature sensor 19, and a power sensor 15 on the generator 5 are fed to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 influences the control valves 10 located in the fuel gas supply line 12 and the stabilization supply line 9. In this embodiment, these are designed as volume flow control valves.

[0047] As an alternative to the use of a charge temperature sensor 19 described in the previous paragraph, a charge air quantity sensor can also be used.

[0048] The control device 4 also influences the throttle valve 13, the compressor-side bypass valve 17 and the waste gate 18.

[0049] The combustion chambers and their ignition devices are to be designed according to the state of the art. Of course, it is possible to combine the present invention with other known technologies. For example, exhaust gas recirculation or reforming can be easily implemented.

[0050] In Figure 2a The pressure curve DV measured by pressure sensors 3 is shown. The position of the respective piston is used as the time unit. This position is indicated by the position of the corresponding crankshaft throw, with 0° representing the top dead center of the piston.

[0051] Figure 2a also shows the drag curve SV, i.e. the cylinder pressure curve that occurs when the gas in the cylinder is not ignited. The drag curve was calculated analytically in this case. The difference between the pressure curve DV and the drag curve SV can be used to calculate the heating curve HV, which is Figure 2bThis figure also shows the cumulative heating curve kHV, which is the integral of the heating curve HV. The crankshaft position, which marks the achievement of 50% of the maximum of the cumulative heating curve, referred to as MFB 50 (Mass Fraction Burned 50%), is used as the time variable.

[0052] The heating curve HW is described in the technical literature (Heywood, "Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals", 1988, page 387ff).

[0053] Of course, other percentages are also suitable for defining the time size.

[0054] The MFB 50 is also called AI 50 (Angle Integrated 50%).

[0055] Figure 3illustrates another embodiment for determining the time variable from the pressure curve DV. The maximum of the pressure curve is determined, and point P1 is identified, which lies an offset V before the pressure maximum on the curve of the pressure curve DV. Then, a second point P2 is determined, which lies on the right flank of the pressure curve DV and has the same pressure value as P1. In this method, it is possible to determine points P1 and P2 using moving averages, which increases accuracy.

[0056] The time variable or individual variable is a value between the two time coordinates of points P1 and P2, usually with a division of 50%. Of course, other divisions (40% to 60%, 30% to 70%) are also conceivable.

[0057] In the following, the control of an internal combustion engine 1 according to the embodiment of Figure 1explained. Based on the lambda value λ or directly on the oxygen content, the required quantity of fuel gas B and stabilizing gas S is adjusted via control device 4.

[0058] The control via the lambda probe 14 is preferably combined with the control via the combustion sensors (e.g. pressure sensors 3) in order to ensure optimally stable and robust engine operation.

[0059] The control or regulation can be designed such that if the time variable exceeds a certain limit, more fuel gas and stabilizing gas (at a constant ratio) are supplied. If the lambda value λ is not within an acceptable range, the ratio of fuel gas B to stabilizing gas S is adjusted.

[0060] The control can thus ensure that the combustion engine 1 is always operated with gas-air mixtures with lambda values ​​λ > 1.0, which is advantageous for stable operation as well as for low emissions and reasonable efficiencies.

[0061] A corresponding regulatory concept is in Figure 4 shown.

[0062] In the control device 4, a setpoint for the AI50 (referred to as AI50_Soll) and a minimum lambda value λ min are stored.

[0063] The measured value λ is compared with λ min and the result is fed to a proportional controller 31. (In the present embodiment, λ min = 1.1.)

[0064] The use of a proportional controller 31 is not essential to the invention. A different controller type or characteristic map may also be used.

[0065] The value X produced by the proportional controller 31, which parameterizes the ratio of fuel gas B to stabilizing gas S, is then kept below a predetermined saturation limit X sat (for example, X <= 0.2) by a saturator 33. (X is a value between 0 and 1 and is defined as the ratio of the molar amount of stabilizing gas S to the total molar amount of stabilizing gas S and fuel gas B.) This means that if the value X is greater than X sat , the saturator 33 replaces X with X sat . A similar procedure is followed if the input value for the saturator 33 becomes negative; this means that the saturator 33 outputs X = 0 for negative input values.

[0066] If the value X produced by the proportional controller 31 reaches the saturation limit X sat (e.g., X sat = 0.2), the power of the combustion engine 1 is also reduced proportionally to the deviation XX sat. The conventional power control loop is not shown for simplicity.

[0067] The value X serves as the basis for the amount of stabilization gas supplied. 1-X serves as the basis for the amount of fuel gas supplied.

[0068] For a better understanding, a numerical example is given. If the measured lambda value λ is equal to the minimum lambda value λ min, i.e. λ = λ min , the value 0 is fed to the proportional controller 31, which then passes this value unchanged to the saturator 33. Since 0 is within the permissible value range of the saturator 33, it outputs X = 0. If the gas composition changes so that the measured lambda value changes to λ = 1.0, the comparison between λ and λ min results in the value 0.1. For this numerical example, the constant of the corresponding proportional controller 31 is equal to 1. The saturator 33 therefore also receives the value 0.1. Since 0.1 is also within the permissible value range of the saturator 33, it outputs X = 0.1. This means that in this case 10% of stabilizing gas S (based on the total amount of substance or the energy content of stabilizing gas S and fuel gas B) is added.

[0069] AI50_setpoint is compared with the actual AI50 determined by pressure sensors 3 and fed to a decision unit 31. The decision unit 31 determines whether the deviation between the actual AI50 and AI50_setpoint exceeds a certain limit (for example: | AI50 - AI50_setpoint | >3°).

[0070] If this is the case, the deviation is fed, for example, to another proportional controller 32, and with the aid of the result obtained from the other proportional controller 32, the quantity of stabilizing gas S and fuel gas B is changed by the same factor. In the present embodiment, this is done by multipliers 34.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, the ratio of stabilizing gas S and fuel gas B can also be adjusted. This means that, unlike described in the previous paragraph, the amounts of substance or energy content of the gases are not changed by the same factor.

[0072] As a result, the amount of the stabilizing gas Ys to be supplied and the fuel gas YB to be supplied are output to the control valves 10.

Claims

1. Internal combustion engine, with - at least one combustion chamber (2), to which air (L) a combustion gas (B) and a stabilizing gas (S) can be supplied, - at least one sensor (3, 14) for measuring at least one engine variable (λ, p), wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one sensor, preferably realized as a pressure sensor (3), to measure, as an engine variable, at least one pressure of a mixture of combustion gas (B), stabilizing gas (S) and air (L) that is present in the at least one combustion chamber (2) during the combustion, as well as - an open-loop or closed-loop control device (4), which is connected to the at least one sensor (3) and which is designed to control by open-loop or closed-loop control, by means of the open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) and in dependence on the at least one engine variable (λ, p), a quantity of stabilizing gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2), characterized in that', in addition, a lambda probe (14) and / or an oxygen sensor and / or a carbon monoxide probe is provided to measure a lambda value (λ) as an engine variable and in that the open-loop or closed-loop control device (4) is designed - to calculate from the measurement values of the at least one sensor for measuring the at least one pressure (p) of the mixture of combustion gas (B), stabilizing gas (S) and air (L) that is present in the at least one combustion chamber (2) during the combustion, as an engine variable, a time variable that is characteristic of the speed of combustion of the gas present in the at least one combustion chamber (2), and, in dependence of the at least one time variable, to control by an open-loop or closed-loop control the quantity of the stabilizing gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2), as well as - to increase the quantity of the supplied stabilizing gas (S) if a lower lambda limit value (λmin) is undershot.

2. Internal combustion engine according to claim 1, characterized in that exactly one sensor per combustion chamber (2) is provided to measure, as an engine variable, the at least one pressure of the mixture of combustion gas (B), stabilizing gas (S) and air (L) that is present in the at least one combustion chamber (2) during the combustion.

3. Method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein - air (L), combustion gas (B) and stabilizing gas (S) are supplied to at least one combustion chamber (2), - gas present in the at least one combustion chamber (2) is ignited, - at least one engine variable (λ, p) is measured on the internal combustion engine by means of at least one sensor (3, 14), wherein a sensor, preferably a pressure sensor (3), is used for measuring a pressure (p) as an engine variable in the at least one combustion chamber (2), and - a quantity of the stabilizing gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2) is controlled by open-loop or closed-loop control in dependence on the at least one engine variable (λ, p), characterized in that - in addition, a lambda probe and / or an oxygen sensor and / or a carbon monoxide probe and a lambda value (λ) measured from the lambda probe (14) and and / or determined by means of measurement values of the oxygen sensor is used as an engine variable, - a time variable that is characteristic of the speed of combustion of the mixture of combustion gas (B), stabilizing gas (S) and air (L) that is present in the at least one combustion chamber (2) is calculated from the at least one measured pressure (p), and the quantity of the stabilizing gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2) is controlled by open-loop or closed-loop control in dependence on the time variable, as well as - the quantity of the supplied stabilizing gas (S) is increased if a lower lambda limit value (λmin) is undershot.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the quantity of the stabilizing gas (S) and of the combustion gas (B) is altered in dependence on the time variable, by the same factor.

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4 using an internal combustion engine (1) having a plurality of combustion chambers (2), characterized in that an individual time variable (AI50, MFB50) is calculated for each combustion chamber (2), and the time variable is calculated as a maximum value, minimum value, mean value or median of the individual time variables (AI50, MFB50).

6. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, during the combustion, a pressure progression (DV) in the at least one combustion chamber (2) is measured by means of the at least one sensor, and used to calculate the time variable.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that a heating progression (HV) is calculated from the difference of the pressure progression (DV) and a motored pressure progression (SV), and a cumulative heating progression (kHV) is calculated as an integral of the heating progression (HV), and the cumulative heating progression (kHV) is used to calculate the time variable and / or the individual time variable (AI50, MFB50).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that an instant of time at which the cumulative heating progression (kHV) attains a defined proportion of its maximum is used as a time variable or as an individual time variable (AI50, MFB50), wherein the proportion is between 5% and 20%, or between 30% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 65%, and particularly preferably is 50%.

9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, preferably using the 50% proportion of the cumulative heating progression (kHV), wherein the time variable and / or the individual time variable (AI50, MFB50) is indicated by means of a piston position, expressed as an angular position of a corresponding crankshaft cranking, measured from the top dead centre in the direction of rotation of the crankshaft, characterized in that the quantity of the stabilizing gas (S) supplied to the at least one combustion chamber (2) is controlled, by open-loop or closed-loop control, to a reference value of a 50% mass fraction burned point (AI50_Soll).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that, for the purpose of calculating the time variable and / or the individual time variable (AI50, MFB50), a first point (P1) located on the pressure progression (DV) and a second point (P2) located on the pressure progression (DV) are selected, wherein an absolute value of the pressure progression (DV) and / or a gradient of the pressure progression (DV) is used as a criterion for the selection of the first point (P1) and / or of the second point (P2), and in that a value between time coordinates of the first point (P1) and of the second point (P2) is determined for the time variable and / or for the individual time variable (AI50, MFB50), wherein a division of 50% is preferably used.