Engine Liquid Injection via Condensate Harvesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid injection systems for engines face inefficiencies in harvesting and utilizing liquid resources, particularly in gas turbine engines, where condensation and vapor management are not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid harvester system that extracts and condenses vapor from a working fluid using a heat exchange component, allowing the condensed liquid to be injected into the engine flow path, either upstream of the combustion chamber or routed to a storage container for selective discharge, enhancing engine performance during specific flight phases or operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid injection is implemented in gas turbine engines, then engine performance and efficiency are improved, but the complexity of the system increases due to additional liquid harvesting and delivery components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid harvesting system with the existing engine cooling system by using the cooling system's heat exchange components to condense vapor from exhaust gases. This integration reduces the need for separate liquid harvesting equipment, thereby improving engine performance through liquid injection while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes: the heat exchange components not only cool the engine but also condense vapor from exhaust gases to produce liquid for injection. The injection system itself serves dual functions by improving both combustion efficiency and engine cooling, thus enhancing performance without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If vapor is condensed from working fluid to harvest liquid, then liquid availability for injection is improved, but energy consumption increases due to the refrigeration process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat from exhaust gases, which would normally be discarded, into a useful resource by using it as the cooling medium in the heat exchange system. This waste heat is utilized to condense vapor from the exhaust stream, producing liquid for injection while minimizing additional energy consumption. The system effectively transforms a harmful waste product into a beneficial resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the exhaust gases by using them as a cooling medium in the heat exchange system. By controlling the temperature differential between the exhaust gases and the working fluid, the system optimizes condensation efficiency while minimizing the energy required for the refrigeration process, thus improving liquid availability without excessive energy consumption.
3Productivity
If condensed liquid is injected upstream of combustion chamber, then combustion efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases due to timing and dosage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors engine operating conditions such as load, speed, and temperature, and automatically adjusts the liquid injection timing and dosage accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal combustion efficiency across varying operating conditions while managing control complexity through automated adjustment rather than manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the liquid injection system, where injection timing and rate are continuously adjusted based on real-time engine conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize combustion efficiency across different operating phases (such as acceleration, cruising, and deceleration) while managing control complexity through adaptive algorithms that respond to changing conditions.
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 effectively harvests and utilizes condensed liquid to alter the thermodynamic cycle of the engine, improving thrust and efficiency, particularly during high-drag maneuvers or critical flight phases, by integrating a refrigeration system and sensor-controlled valve for optimized liquid delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system having a heat exchange member structured to cool the working fluid and condense the vapor
Implementation Method 2
a cooling system having a heat exchange member structured to cool the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
integrating a refrigeration system and sensor-controlled valve for optimized liquid delivery
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A device capable of collecting a condensate from a working fluid is disclosed. The condensate can take the form of a liquid and can be injected into a flow path of an engine. In one form the engine is a gas turbine engine and the liquid is injected upstream of a combustor. The liquid can be produced using a component that cools the working fluid to condense a vapor within it. In one non- limiting form the component is part of a refrigeration system. In addition to producing condensate, the refrigeration system can cool the working fluid to be used as cooled cooling air to a turbine of a gas turbine engine. In another non- limiting embodiment a liquid derived from a blackwater containing waste from an organism can be delivered in whole or in part to a flow path of the engine.