Electric Ammonia Cracker Sequential Heating for Battery Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric cracking units for ammonia dissociation in vehicles require significant power, leading to excessive current draw from the vehicle battery, risking battery drainage and damage, and inefficient heating due to binary operation modes.
Innovation Solution
An electric cracking unit with multiple sections, each containing a heating element and a temperature sensor, controlled by a controller that adjusts the heating element's power based on temperature differences and threshold values, allowing sequential energization to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single heating element is always fully energized in conventional electric cracking units, then the required temperature for ammonia dissociation is achieved, but excessive current is drawn from the power supply and battery damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple independent sections, each capable of being energized independently. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the specific sections needed to achieve the target temperature, rather than energizing the entire heating element at full power, thereby reducing overall current draw while maintaining necessary temperature zones for ammonia dissociation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which heating sections are energized and to what extent, based on real-time temperature monitoring and control algorithms. This dynamic control enables the system to optimize power consumption by activating heating sections only when and where needed, rather than maintaining constant full-power operation, thus reducing current draw while ensuring temperature requirements are met.
2Productivity
If high current is repeatedly drawn from the vehicle battery during stop-and-go conditions, then the electric cracking unit can initiate hydrogen production, but the battery risks rapid drainage and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial heating action by energizing only the necessary portions of the heating element rather than applying excessive full-power heating throughout. This partial action approach provides sufficient heat to initiate hydrogen production while avoiding the excessive current draw that would rapidly drain or damage the battery during stop-and-go operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system employs periodic monitoring and adjustment of heating element operation, activating heating sections only when temperature thresholds indicate they are needed. This periodic control pattern allows the system to maintain hydrogen production capability while reducing continuous current draw, thereby protecting battery health during repeated start-stop cycles.
3Ease of operation
If the heating element operates in binary mode (full current or no current), then control is simple, but unnecessary electric current is drawn when lower heater percentage would suffice
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the heating element into multiple independently controllable sections transforms the binary control system into a granular control system. Each section can be individually activated or deactivated, allowing the system to draw only the necessary amount of current rather than operating in all-or-nothing binary mode, thus reducing energy loss while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
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 approach reduces unnecessary power consumption, preserves battery health, and ensures efficient ammonia dissociation by dynamically adjusting heating element power, preventing excessive current draw and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electric cracking unit can be utilized during a cold start of an internal combustion engine... Electric cracking units can heat a catalyst to a temperature sufficient to perform ammonia dissociation
Implementation Method 2
heat a catalyst to a temperature sufficient to perform ammonia dissociation... promote ammonia dissociation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates, in general, to a system and method for sequentially energizing heating elements in an electric cracking unit for ammonia dissociation on-board a vehicle. The present invention utilizes output temperature readings at various sections within the electric catalyst unit, and sequentially energizes corresponding heating elements only if the output temperature of an upstream section is below a threshold temperature required for ammonia dissociation to occur. By sequentially energizing heating elements as needed, versus fully energizing every heating element, the present invention mitigates the risk of degradation and failure of the vehicle power system and other electrical components in the vehicle.