Internal Combustion Engine Thermal Energy Recovery via Gasification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internal combustion engines have low utilization of waste heat, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, particularly in external combustion engines and Organic Rankine Cycle systems, with existing energy recovery methods being limited in effectiveness and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy power engine with a gasification reactor and heat absorbing plates integrated into the internal combustion engine's cylinder head, utilizing the exhaust passage to capture thermal energy and convert it into mechanical energy through an additional air injection working stroke, enhancing thermal energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat absorbing plates are added to capture thermal energy from exhaust, then thermal energy utilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat absorbing plates are integrated into the existing exhaust passage structure of the internal combustion engine, merging the thermal energy capture function with the exhaust gas flow path. This combination allows thermal energy recovery without adding separate, complex external systems, thereby improving thermal energy utilization while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust passage serves multiple functions: it channels exhaust gases away from the combustion chamber and simultaneously acts as a heat transfer medium to the heat absorbing plates. This multi-functionality allows the same structural component to fulfill both exhaust removal and thermal energy recovery roles, improving energy utilization without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Power
If an additional air injection working stroke is added to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, then power output is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air injection working stroke is implemented as a periodic additional stroke within the existing four-stroke cycle, injecting air into the cylinder at specific intervals to facilitate thermal energy conversion. This periodic action enables power enhancement by utilizing the existing piston-crank mechanism without requiring continuous additional components, thereby improving power output while limiting increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing piston, connecting rod, and crankshaft mechanism serve the dual purpose of both the original four-stroke cycle and the additional air injection working stroke. The same mechanical components perform multiple functions, converting thermal energy from both the original combustion and the additional air injection process into mechanical energy, thereby improving power output without adding complex dedicated mechanisms.
3Productivity
If heat absorbing plates are installed in the exhaust passage, then thermal energy conversion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat absorbing plates are designed as segmented, modular components that can be individually manufactured and then assembled into the exhaust passage. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of each plate component using standard fabrication processes, while the modular assembly approach enables flexible installation and maintenance, thereby improving thermal energy conversion efficiency without excessively increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An efficient thermal energy power engine is disclosed. A gasification reactor is arranged on a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. Gasifying plates are arranged with gaps on the cylinder head. An upper portion of the gasification reactor is connected to an atomizer. The atomizer is connected to a pressure pump via a pipe. The pressure pump is connected to a liquid storage tank via a pipe. The liquid storage tank is connected to a cooler via a pipe. The cooler is connected to an exhaust passage via a pipe. Heat absorption plates are arranged inside the exhaust passage in parallel in an air flow direction. The heat absorption plates absorb thermal energy of exhaust gas and transfer the thermal energy to the gasification reactor. The cylinder body of the internal combustion engine is wrapped with an insulation layer.