Dual Fuel Engine Transient Controller Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual fuel engines experience suboptimal performance during transient conditions due to inefficient handling of sudden load increases, often resulting in engine knocking, as existing control strategies are reactive and lack direct control over power acceptance in gas mode.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that manages fuel injection in dual fuel engines by gradually increasing power output during transient events, adjusting the air/fuel ratio from rich to lean, and optimizing fuel substitution between diesel and natural gas to prevent knocking, by using a transient strategy that introduces extra fuel while maintaining a rich air/fuel ratio and curbing fueling increase as the engine stabilizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine operates in gas mode during transient events, then fuel cost effectiveness is improved, but engine knocking occurs due to sudden load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively limits the rate of power acceptance before knocking can occur by controlling the rate of increase of injected gas fuel during transient events. This preliminary control action prevents the harmful knocking condition from developing while still allowing the engine to operate in cost-effective gas mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the fuel injection strategy based on operating conditions. During transient events, the controller modulates the rate of fuel injection to maintain stable combustion, transitioning from static fuel management to dynamic control that adapts to changing load conditions.
2Productivity
If the engine rapidly increases power output during transient events, then productivity is improved, but combustion stability deteriorates leading to knocking
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-limits the rate of power acceptance by controlling the rate of increase of injected gas fuel before combustion instability can develop. This preliminary action ensures that productivity gains are achieved without sacrificing combustion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fuel injection parameters during transient events, specifically controlling the rate of increase of injected gas fuel. This parameter modification allows the engine to respond to load changes while maintaining stable combustion characteristics.
3Device complexity
If the controller uses reactive control strategies, then existing control systems are maintained, but direct control over power acceptance in gas mode is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements feedback control by monitoring engine operating conditions and adjusting the rate of gas fuel injection accordingly. This feedback mechanism provides direct control over power acceptance while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the gas fuel injection system and the engine load demands. It mediates the power acceptance process by controlling the rate of fuel injection, providing direct control capability without requiring complex system modifications.
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 maximizes engine power during transient events by avoiding knock regions, ensuring stable operation and efficient power transition without engine knocking, thereby improving engine performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel injector delivering a fuel to the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
combustion of some of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for an internal combustion engine is configured to operate the engine at a desired output power and at a desired air/fuel ratio provided in the cylinder, the desired air/fuel ratio depending on an amount of air, the primary fuel, and the secondary fuel provided to the cylinder selectively; gradually increase a power output of the engine during a transient event from an initial power output, to an intermediate power output, and then to a final power output; during the transient event, simultaneously with the power output increase, increase the amount of the primary fuel and the secondary fuel to produce a rich air/fuel ratio in the cylinder.