Ammonia Decomposition Controller for Engine Hydrogen Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ammonia decomposition systems face challenges in adjusting the combustion efficiency of engines due to the automatic determination of hydrogen production based on exhaust gas temperature, making it difficult to optimize fuel combustion.

Innovation Solution

An ammonia decomposition system with a controller that adjusts the decomposition rate of ammonia, using a catalyst and electrodes to apply an electric field, allowing for variable decomposition rates based on temperature, current, and flow rate of ammonia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hydrogen production amount is automatically determined according to the temperature of heated exhaust gas in the ammonia decomposition system, then the catalyst temperature can be maintained at or above operating temperature during low-load operation, but it becomes difficult to appropriately adjust the combustion efficiency of the fuel in the engine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst temperature maintenanceVSAvoidcombustion efficiency adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller that dynamically adjusts the decomposition rate of ammonia based on engine operating conditions. The controller varies parameters such as heating power to the decomposition unit, ammonia flow rate, or catalyst temperature to optimize both catalyst maintenance and combustion efficiency control, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that responds to changing operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the controller to modify multiple operational parameters including heating power, ammonia flow rate, and catalyst temperature. By changing these parameters, the system can independently control hydrogen production amount while maintaining catalyst temperature, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an ammonia oxidation device is provided between the engine and the ammonia decomposition system to increase exhaust gas temperature, then the catalyst temperature can be maintained during low-load operation, but the production amount of hydrogen is automatically determined and cannot be easily adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst temperature maintenanceVSAvoidhydrogen production adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller monitors engine operating conditions and adjusts the decomposition rate parameters accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically maintain catalyst temperature while providing versatile control over hydrogen production amounts based on real-time operational needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from automatic determination to dynamic control by introducing a controller that actively manages decomposition parameters. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt hydrogen production to varying engine loads and operational requirements while ensuring catalyst temperature maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system enables easy adjustment of hydrogen generation, improving fuel combustion efficiency and extending the operating range of engines using ammonia and hydrogen as fuels.

Implementation Method 1

an ammonia decomposition system (ammonia cracker device) is known which includes a catalyst that decomposes ammonia (an ammonia cracker catalyst), and decomposes ammonia to generate hydrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalytic decomposition: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

an ammonia oxidation device is provided between the engine and the ammonia decomposition system to enable increasing the temperature of an exhaust gas by use of the heat of oxidation due to the oxidation reaction of ammonia

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation reaction: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4306777A1Ammonia decomposition system, internal combustion engine system, and ammonia decomposition method
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4306777A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306777A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4306777A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an ammonia decomposition system, internal combustion engine system, and ammonia decomposition method in which the generation amount of hydrogen is easily adjusted. [Solution] An ammonia decomposition system 10 includes a decomposition unit 1 and a controller 2. The decomposition unit 1 decomposes ammonia. The controller 2 controls the decomposition rate of ammonia in the decomposition unit 1.