Catalytic Combustion Fuel Injection Control for Faster Startup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing catalytic combustion apparatuses require a longer time to activate due to fuel injection after the catalyst temperature is fully raised, leading to elongated startup times and potential catalyst deterioration from excessive raw fuel concentration.

Innovation Solution

A control method and system that limits the injection amount of raw fuel based on the output of the heater, ensuring the latent heat of vaporization does not exceed the heater's output, thereby maintaining catalyst temperature and preventing deterioration, and allowing early activation of the catalytic combustion apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fuel is injected after the catalyst temperature is fully raised, then catalyst deterioration is prevented, but the activation time is elongated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst durabilityVSAvoidactivation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating of the catalyst using the heater before fuel injection begins. The controller monitors catalyst temperature and only allows fuel injection after the catalyst reaches the required activation temperature, ensuring the catalyst is properly prepared in advance to prevent deterioration while enabling timely activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the catalyst temperature and uses this feedback information to control both the heater operation and fuel injection timing. By adjusting the heating duration and fuel injection start time based on real-time temperature data, the system optimizes the balance between activation speed and catalyst protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If the heater output is increased to raise catalyst temperature faster, then activation time is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation timeVSAvoidheater energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater output is dynamically adjusted based on real-time catalyst temperature measurements. The controller increases heater power when the catalyst temperature is below the activation threshold and reduces or stops heating once the target temperature is reached, optimizing the balance between activation speed and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the heater output parameter dynamically during the activation process. By adjusting the heating power level based on temperature feedback and time considerations, the system achieves fast activation when needed while minimizing energy consumption during maintenance phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables early activation of the catalytic combustion apparatus by preventing temperature drops and reducing catalyst deterioration, allowing for prompt fuel gas production while maintaining catalyst efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heater (452) capable of heating the raw fuel supplied to the catalyst (451)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a catalyst (451) for combusting the raw fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

combusting the raw fuel supplied to the catalyst (451)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

the latent heat of vaporization of the raw fuel injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus (45)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3806212B1Method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus, and catalytic combustion system
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3806212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3806212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3806212B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling a catalytic combustion apparatus having a heater capable of heating fuel to be supplied to a catalyst includes a step of supplying oxidant gas to the catalytic combustion apparatus, and an injection step of injecting the fuel into the catalytic combustion apparatus. The injection step also includes an electric power feeding step of supplying electric power to the heater, and a setting step of setting an injection amount of the fuel to be injected into the catalytic combustion apparatus in response to output of the heater.