Engine Exhaust Gas Leakage Detection via Intake Air Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leakage of exhaust gas from internal combustion engines leads to emission limit exceedances and corrosion issues, particularly when using fuels with high sulfur content and water injection, causing severe damage if not detected promptly.
Innovation Solution
Monitoring the concentration of exhaust gas components, such as SO2, in the intake air to detect leaks and triggering an alarm or terminating water injection to prevent engine damage, using easily retrofittable gas sensors in the engine room or intake system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If water injection is used to reduce emissions, then emission control is improved, but corrosion damage increases when exhaust gas leaks are present
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor detects exhaust gas components (CO, CO2, HC, O2, NOx, SO2) in the intake air before water injection occurs. When exhaust gas is detected in the intake system, the system terminates water injection in advance, preventing the formation of corrosive sulfuric acid that would damage the engine. This preliminary detection and preventive action resolves the contradiction by maintaining emission control benefits while avoiding corrosion damage.
2Productivity
If exhaust gas leakage is not detected, then operation continues uninterrupted, but severe engine damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the intake air for exhaust gas components using a gas sensor and provides feedback to the control unit. When exhaust gas is detected above threshold levels, the control unit receives feedback and terminates water injection, preventing engine damage. This closed-loop feedback system ensures continuous operation only when safe, resolving the contradiction between uninterrupted operation and engine protection.
3Measurement precision
If gas sensors are installed in the intake system, then leak detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor is positioned in the intake air path, using the intake air as an intermediary medium to transport exhaust gas components from the leak site to the detection point. This intermediary approach allows detection of exhaust gas leaks without requiring direct access to the exhaust system, achieving high detection precision while minimizing additional system complexity. The control unit processes sensor signals and automatically controls water injection termination.
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
Enables timely detection and mitigation of exhaust gas leakage, preventing severe engine damage by stopping water injection when SO2 levels exceed predetermined limits, thus protecting the engine from corrosive effects.
Implementation Method 1
concentration of an exhaust gas component in the intake air is monitored
Implementation Method 2
engines with water injection into the intake duct or into the cylinders
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for operating an internal combustion engine (1) that is located in an engine room (9), in which method the concentration of an exhaust gas component in the intake air is monitored. The invention also concerns an internal combustion engine arrangement.