Engine Generator Fuel Control for Fast Catalyst Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine power generation systems using renewable energy fuels face challenges in prompt catalyst activation and engine warmed-up due to the lower exhaust gas temperature from hydrogen combustion, leading to increased emissions of harmful substances like CO, HC, and NOx, especially in co-combustion scenarios with hydrocarbon-based fuels.
Innovation Solution
An engine power generation system control device that includes a catalyst in the exhaust passage and uses catalyst and engine state detecting units to control the supply of hydrocarbon-based fuel and hydrogen, optimizing their amounts based on catalyst activity and engine warmed-up state for prompt activation and purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If co-combustion of hydrogen and hydrocarbon-based fuel is performed, then the engine can operate with renewable energy fuels and increase operation rate, but the exhaust gas temperature decreases leading to delayed catalyst activation and increased harmful emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the fuel mixture ratio between hydrogen and hydrocarbon-based fuel based on engine operating conditions and catalyst temperature. The control device increases hydrocarbon-based fuel proportion when catalyst temperature is low to maintain exhaust temperature for catalyst activation, and increases hydrogen proportion when catalyst is activated to utilize renewable energy and reduce emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the composition parameter of the fuel mixture to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the ratio of hydrogen to hydrocarbon-based fuel, the system can control exhaust gas temperature to ensure catalyst activation while still utilizing renewable energy fuels for power generation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If lean combustion is used to reduce harmful emissions, then the combustion gas temperature decreases reducing NOx generation, but combustion stability deteriorates making prompt engine warmed-up difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different combustion strategies to different operating conditions. During cold start and warm-up phases, the system uses richer combustion or co-combustion with hydrocarbon-based fuel to ensure combustion stability and prompt engine warmed-up. After the engine is warmed up and catalyst is activated, the system transitions to lean combustion to reduce NOx emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching between different combustion modes based on engine temperature and operating conditions. The control device transitions from stable combustion mode during warm-up to lean combustion mode during normal operation, and can switch back based on real-time conditions, ensuring both combustion stability and emission reduction.
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 achieves prompt catalyst activation and engine warmed-up, reducing harmful emissions by controlling fuel supply to enhance purification efficiency and stability, thereby minimizing emissions of CO, HC, and NOx.
Implementation Method 1
it is effective to provide an exhaust purification catalyst in an exhaust channel of the engine to remove harmful substances (NOx, THC, CO, and the like) by purification
Implementation Method 2
engines capable of performing mixed combustion (hereinafter, referred to as co-combustion) of an RE fuel such as hydrogen and a hydrocarbon-based fuel such as gasoline or natural gas
Implementation Method 3
purification by removing the harmful substances can be effectively performed by increasing a temperature of the catalyst and activating the catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an engine power generation system control device that reduces emission of a harmful substance contained in an exhaust gas to the outside by performing prompt activation of an exhaust purification catalyst and prompt warmed-up of an engine in a power generation system including an engine enabling an RE fuel and a hydrocarbon-based fuel to be supplied and performing co-combustion. A hydrocarbon-based fuel supply amount or a hydrogen supply amount to the engine is controlled based on a catalyst active state detected by a catalyst active state detecting unit and a warmed-up state of the engine detected by an engine warmed-up state detecting unit.