Alternating Fuel and Torch Channels for Gas Engine Ignition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas engine combustion methods suffer from misfires and preignitions due to unfavorable fuel/air ratios, leading to poor efficiency, high emissions, and mechanical stress, especially during quick load changes, and require the use of two fuels which complicates storage and supply systems.
Innovation Solution
A combustion chamber injection nozzle with alternating injection and torch channels is used, where hot combustion gas from a pre-combustion chamber ignites the main fuel gas in the main combustion chamber, optimizing oxygen utilization and achieving stable, controlled combustion through a compact design that includes a mechanical, differential pressure-actuated valve for precise fuel control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-combustion chamber ignition with spark ignition is used, then reliable ignition is achieved, but misfires and preignitions occur due to unfavorable fuel/air ratio during quick load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The injection nozzle is segmented into multiple injection channels (for main fuel gas) and torch channels (for hot combustion gas) that are distributed alternately over the periphery. This segmentation allows separate control of fuel injection and ignition, enabling reliable ignition through hot combustion gas while maintaining stable fuel/air ratio even during quick load changes, thus preventing misfires and preignitions
Solution Approach 2:
Hot combustion gas is introduced through the torch channels before or simultaneously with the main fuel gas injection. This preliminary action of providing hot combustion gas ensures that the main fuel gas ignites reliably upon injection, even when the fuel/air ratio varies during quick load changes, thereby maintaining ignition reliability without causing misfires or preignitions
2Reliability
If dual-fuel system with liquid pilot fuel is used, then misfires are prevented through reliable auto-ignition, but device complexity increases due to dual storage and supply devices
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion gas from the pre-combustion chamber serves multiple functions: it provides ignition heat for the main fuel gas, acts as a cleaning medium for the injection nozzle, and can be reused in the combustion process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate liquid pilot fuel storage and supply devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable ignition
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own combustion gas to provide the ignition function that would otherwise require a separate pilot fuel system. The hot combustion gas from the pre-combustion chamber self-ignites the main fuel gas, eliminating the need for external liquid pilot fuel and its associated storage and supply infrastructure
3Ease of operation
If main fuel gas is injected just before top dead center, then diffusion combustion occurs without pre-mixing, but combustion quality decreases due to poor oxygen utilization in flame inner core
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the combustion chamber receive different treatments: the outer regions receive hot combustion gas for ignition and improved oxygen mixing, while the inner core receives main fuel gas for diffusion combustion. This local differentiation allows the outer regions to contribute to oxygen utilization and reduces partial combustion issues in the flame inner core, lowering emissions while maintaining combustion control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves combustion quality and efficiency, reduces pollutant emissions, and allows for reliable ignition across varying load conditions without the need for dual fuels, enabling a more compact and reliable gas engine design.
Implementation Method 1
hot combustion gas from a pre-combustion chamber ignites the main fuel gas in the main combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
The combustible mixture is then ignited through spark ignition or injection of a small quantity of self-igniting liquid fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A combustion chamber injection nozzle (12) having a plurality of injection channels (37) for a main fuel gas, a pre-combustion chamber, and a plurality of torch channels (52) for hot combustion gas connected to the pre-combustion chamber (15), the injection channels (37) and the torch channels (52) communicating with peripheral openings arranged next to one another so as to alternate in a circumferential direction.