Engine-Integrated Fuel Reforming with Direct Hydrogen Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel reforming systems for vehicles require a dedicated hydrogen gas supply system, which increases vehicle weight and occupies valuable space, making them unsuitable for compact vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A fuel reforming system for vehicles that utilizes a decomposer integrated with the engine's combustion chamber to decompose hydrocarbon fuel into carbon and hydrogen using the heat and pressure of combustion gas, eliminating the need for a separate hydrogen gas supply system by employing a six-stroke cycle and a hydrogen permeable membrane to deliver hydrogen gas directly to the intake port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate hydrogen gas supply system (gas tank, gas pipe, valve) is mounted on the vehicle, then hydrogen gas can be supplied to the engine, but vehicle weight increases and valuable space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrogen production function with the existing engine system by integrating a decomposer that uses combustion gas from the engine to produce hydrogen on-demand. This eliminates the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks, gas pipes, and valves, thereby reducing vehicle weight and space occupation while maintaining hydrogen supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own combustion gas as the source for hydrogen production, creating a self-sufficient hydrogen supply system. The decomposer utilizes exhaust gas containing carbon and hydrogen to generate hydrogen fuel, eliminating dependence on external hydrogen storage infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If a separate hydrogen gas supply system (gas tank, gas pipe, valve) is mounted on the vehicle, then hydrogen gas can be supplied to the engine, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrogen production system with the existing engine exhaust system. The decomposer is integrated to receive combustion gas directly from the engine, and the hydrogen is fed back to the combustion chamber, eliminating the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks, gas pipes, and valves, thereby reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion gas from the engine serves multiple functions: it is used for hydrogen production in the decomposer and can be recirculated back to the combustion chamber. This multi-functional use of exhaust gas simplifies the overall system by eliminating dedicated hydrogen supply infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If a separate hydrogen gas supply system (gas tank, gas pipe, valve) is mounted on the vehicle, then hydrogen gas can be supplied to the engine, but vehicle space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrogen production function with the existing engine system by integrating a decomposer that uses combustion gas from the engine to produce hydrogen on-demand. This eliminates the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks, gas pipes, and valves, thereby reducing vehicle weight and space occupation while maintaining hydrogen supply capability.
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 efficiently produces hydrogen gas for fuel while collecting carbon, reducing vehicle weight and space requirements, promoting efficient reforming reactions, and enhancing fuel economy without the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
decomposes hydrocarbon fuel into carbon and hydrogen gas by using heat and pressure of combustion gas produced in the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
separates the hydrogen gas by making the hydrogen gas permeate a hydrogen permeable membrane
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The vehicle, on which a reciprocating engine 3 performing a predetermined six-stroke cycle is mounted, includes a fuel reforming system 1A. A decomposer 6 for storing carbon is provided. The decomposer 6 decomposes hydrocarbon fuel into carbon and hydrogen gas by using heat and a pressure of combustion gas produced in a combustion chamber 3a, and separates the hydrogen gas by causing the hydrogen gas to permeate a hydrogen permeable membrane 63. The decomposer 6 is disposed adjacent to an intake port 33 in a state of communicating with the intake port 33 via the hydrogen permeable membrane 63, and is configured to be able to supply the separated hydrogen gas as fuel to the combustion chamber 3a through the intake port 33.