Engine Cleaning Installation Using Hydrogen Injection for Fouling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cleaning systems face inefficiencies and increased pollution due to reduced combustion temperatures, which lead to clogging and decreased engine performance, as they struggle to effectively manage fouling and NOx reduction simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning installation with a diagnostic means to determine the fouling rate of the engine system, adjusting the injection of a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and oxygen based on intrinsic and usage parameters, and controlling the cleaning sequence to optimize cleaning efficiency and prevent fouling, including predictive maintenance scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a variable-flow EGR valve is used to redirect exhaust gases back into the intake manifold to lower combustion temperature and reduce NOx production, then NOx emissions are reduced and engine performance is improved, but combustion efficiency decreases resulting in more unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter, leading to fouling of the intake manifold, exhaust system, and EGR valve
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs preliminary oxidation of carbon deposits before they cause severe fouling. By continuously or periodically injecting hydrogen into the intake manifold, the system prevents carbon accumulation that would otherwise reduce combustion efficiency and cause EGR valve sticking, thereby maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon deposits into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The hydrogen injection creates a controlled reducing environment that prevents carbon formation, while the resulting water vapor and heat facilitate oxidation of existing deposits, turning the combustion byproducts into a cleaning agent.
2Manufacturing precision
If hydrogen and oxygen cleaning fluid is injected into the intake system to oxidize carbon deposits and remove fouling, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but the system lacks precision in determining when and how much to inject, resulting in suboptimal cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback from the diagnostic unit regarding the fouling state of the EGR valve and intake manifold. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the hydrogen injection parameters (duration, quantity, timing) to optimize cleaning effectiveness while avoiding excessive injection that would waste fuel or cause knocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes injection parameters based on detected fouling levels. The diagnostic unit measures fouling state, and the control unit adjusts hydrogen injection duration, quantity, and timing accordingly, transforming the cleaning process from a fixed-parameter operation to an adaptive, condition-based process.
3Ease of operation
If the EGR valve becomes stuck open due to carbon deposits, then a large quantity of exhaust gas mixes with combustion air under full load, but this results in a plume of black smoke and loss of power during acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing carbon deposits from forming on the EGR valve in the first place. Through continuous or periodic hydrogen injection, the system maintains a cleaning environment that prevents the adhesive carbon buildup that would cause the valve to stick, thereby preventing the subsequent harmful effects of black smoke and power loss.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If low-temperature combustion is used to reduce NOx production at lower cost and increase engine system performance, then NOx emissions are reduced, but the efficiency of the engine system decreases and pollution generated by the engine system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful unburned hydrocarbons and carbon deposits resulting from low-temperature combustion into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. By injecting hydrogen, the system creates a controlled chemical environment where these carbonaceous materials are oxidized to CO2 and H2O, transforming waste products into a self-cleaning process that maintains combustion efficiency.
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 enhances cleaning efficiency by tailoring the cleaning process to the specific engine conditions, reducing fouling and pollution, and maintaining engine performance by adjusting the cleaning fluid's parameters and frequency according to the engine's state and usage.
Implementation Method 1
The oxidation of hydrogen enhances combustion, which generates water vapor and carbon dioxide. At high temperatures, the water vapor and carbon dioxide react with carbon deposits, thus removing them.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning installation for a motorisation system comprising an internal combustion engine and a gas flow circuit, the motor comprising a plurality of inlets for receiving products to be burned and an exhaust gas outlet, the gas flow circuit comprising a plurality of pipes and a plurality of moving parts arranged together to supply a suitable gas mixture to one of the engine inlets, the cleaning installation comprising an injection device arranged to inject a cleaning fluid into one of the engine inlets, the installation characterised in that it also comprises diagnostic means suitable for determining the clogging rate of the motorisation system based on intrinsic parameters of the motorisation system and means for controlling the injection device suitable for providing the injection device with cleaning parameters based on the clogging rate of the motorisation system.