Catalyst-Coated Cylinder With Emulsion Fuel for Cleaner Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diesel engines produce high levels of toxic pollutants (NOx, HC, and PM) and have unsatisfactory fuel efficiency due to incomplete combustion, despite existing catalyst-based solutions.

Innovation Solution

A combustion system comprising a combustion device with a catalyst-coated cylinder unit and a fuel composition of water, fuel oil, and an emulsifying agent, which undergoes redox reactions to reduce pollutants and enhance fuel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional petroleum oil is used as fuel in the diesel engine with catalyst coating, then the catalyst film can convert NOx and HC, but the amount of toxic pollutants in exhaust gas remains relatively high and fuel efficiency is unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of toxic pollutants in exhaust gasVSAvoidfuel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel by introducing a fuel composition containing 5-50 wt% alcohol and 50-95 wt% petroleum oil, replacing conventional pure petroleum oil. This parameter change enables more complete combustion while maintaining catalyst effectiveness, simultaneously reducing toxic pollutant emissions and improving fuel efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite fuel system by combining alcohol (such as ethanol or methanol) with petroleum oil in specific proportions. This composite fuel composition leverages the oxygen-containing properties of alcohol to promote complete combustion of the hydrocarbon-based petroleum oil, resolving the contradiction between emission reduction and fuel efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a catalyst film is formed on the cylinder wall and piston surface, then NOx and HC can be converted, but incomplete combustion still produces significant toxic pollutants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoxic pollutant emissions (NOx, HC, PM)VSAvoidcombustion completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the fuel's chemical composition by adding alcohol content at 5-50 wt%, which changes the combustion characteristics. The oxygen in alcohol promotes more complete oxidation of fuel, enhancing combustion reliability and reducing incomplete combustion products like PM and unburned HC, while working synergistically with the catalyst film

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If water containing active hydrogen is used to remove nitrogen oxides in a separate reaction vessel, then 70 wt% of NOx can be removed, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen oxide removal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the NOx removal function into the combustion chamber itself by using alcohol as a fuel component. The alcohol undergoes combustion and redox reactions directly with NOx in the combustion chamber, eliminating the need for a separate reaction vessel and water injection system, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining high NOx removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The alcohol in the fuel composition serves dual functions: it acts as both fuel and NOx removal agent. The combustion process itself generates the reducing environment needed to convert NOx, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external intervention or additional equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 significantly reduces toxic emissions and improves fuel efficiency by converting NOx and HC into harmless gases and PM into CO2 and H2, while minimizing fuel consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The coating contains a catalyst that is selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy of the metal, a composite containing oxides of the metal, a salt of the metal and combinations thereof, in which the metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, titanium and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

The fuel composition, which is to be added into the combustion chamber of the combustion device, includes water, a fuel oil and an emulsifying agent... undergoes redox reactions to reduce pollutants and enhance fuel efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

The fuel composition, which is to be added into the combustion chamber of the combustion device, includes water, a fuel oil and an emulsifying agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP3844378B1Method of improving performance of combustion device
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CHANG HUA SHU

AI summary

A combustion system includes a combustion device and a fuel composition to be added into the combustion device. The combustion device includes a cylinder unit (1), and a coating (2) coated on the cylinder unit (1) and containing a catalyst that is a metal, an alloy of the metal, a composite containing oxides of the metal, a salt of the metal or combinations thereof. The metal is platinum, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, titanium or combinations thereof. The fuel composition includes water, a fuel oil and an emulsifying agent. The amount of water ranges from 10 to 90 wt% based on total weight of water and the fuel oil, and the amount of the emulsifying agent ranges from 0.5 to 10 wt% relative to total weight of water and the fuel oil.