Biogas Fuel Sensing Assembly for Engine Impurity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability in the composition of biogas, particularly the concentration of non-hydrocarbon impurities, poses a risk of inefficient running and damage to combustion engines, especially in agricultural vehicles that operate under prolonged and harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensing and control assembly equipped with infrared sensors to determine non-hydrocarbon impurity concentrations in biogas, adjusting the combustion engine's configuration and communicating relevant information to the user to mitigate these risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biogas is used as fuel for the combustion engine, then sustainability and cost benefits are achieved, but engine efficiency and reliability deteriorate due to variable impurity concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor performs preliminary analysis of biogas composition before the fuel enters the combustion engine. By detecting impurity concentrations upstream, the system can predict potential engine performance issues and alert the user in advance, allowing preventive action before damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the infrared sensor continuously monitors biogas composition and communicates impurity levels to the user. This real-time information feedback enables the user to adjust fueling behavior or engine operation based on actual gas quality, maintaining reliability despite composition variability.
2Reliability
If infrared sensors are installed to detect impurity concentrations, then engine protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor acts as an intermediary device between the biogas fuel source and the combustion engine. It provides indirect monitoring of fuel quality without requiring direct intervention in the combustion process, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical fuel quality testing methods with optical detection using infrared sensors. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while providing continuous, non-contact measurement of impurity concentrations, achieving reliable engine protection with simpler technology.
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
The system effectively minimizes engine inefficiencies and damage by allowing for real-time adjustments and user intervention based on impurity levels, protecting the engine and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing system comprising at least one infrared sensor, the sensing system being configured to determine, using data from the at least one infrared sensor, a measure of a concentration of at least one non-hydrocarbon impurity in the biogas
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a vehicle sensing and control assembly compatible with a vehicle (10), which vehicle has a combustion engine (12) configured to enable biogas to be used as fuel for the combustion engine. The vehicle sensing and control assembly comprises a sensing system, which sensing system comprises at least one infrared sensor (34). The sensing system is configured to determine, using data from the at least one infrared sensor, a measure of a concentration of at least one non-hydrocarbon impurity in the biogas. The vehicle sensing and control assembly further comprises a control system (46) configured to control a user communication system (20), based on said measure, to communicate information relevant to the at least one non-hydrocarbon impurity in the biogas to a user of the vehicle; and/or to generate, based on said measure, one or more control signals for adjusting a configuration of the combustion engine. The user communication system may, for example, be included in the vehicle. Also provided is a vehicle comprising such a vehicle sensing and control assembly. Additionally provided is a fueling assembly comprising fueling equipment for delivering biogas into a vehicle storage tank assembly of a vehicle, and the vehicle sensing and control assembly (and/or the vehicle comprising the vehicle sensing and control assembly). Further provided is a method and a related computer program for operating a vehicle having a combustion engine configured to enable biogas to be used as fuel for the combustion engine.