Recirculating Exhaust Gas Condensate to Boost Engine Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
In internal combustion engines using exhaust gas recirculation, the condensation of liquids from cooled exhaust gases can damage components and reduce performance, as these liquids are not effectively managed within the system.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an exhaust gas recirculation conduit, a heat exchanger to cool the exhaust gases, and a liquid accumulator to separate and reintroduce the condensed liquids back into the engine's intake or exhaust system, either upstream or downstream of the turbocharger, to enhance fluid density and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If exhaust gases are cooled to reduce temperature, then thermal management is improved, but liquid condensation occurs which damages components and reduces performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful condensed liquid into a beneficial resource by reintroducing it back into the exhaust stream or intake charge. The liquid, which would normally damage components, is now used to cool the exhaust stream further or to increase fluid density in the intake charge, transforming a harmful byproduct into a useful cooling and density-enhancing agent
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the condensed liquid as waste, the system recovers it by collecting the liquid from the cooled exhaust stream and reintroducing it into the engine system. This recovery process prevents component damage while simultaneously providing cooling benefits and increasing fluid density
2Reliability
If liquid condensate is removed from exhaust stream, then component damage is prevented, but fluid density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers the liquid condensate that would otherwise be removed from the exhaust stream. By collecting and reintroducing the liquid back into the exhaust stream or intake charge, the system maintains fluid density while still protecting components through controlled reintroduction points
3Quantity of substance
If condensate is reintroduced into the system, then fluid density increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the condensate recovery function with the existing exhaust gas recirculation system. The liquid accumulator and reintroduction conduit are integrated into the existing EGR architecture, combining multiple functions (exhaust cooling, condensate recovery, fluid density enhancement) into a unified system rather than adding separate independent components
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 reintroduction of condensed liquids into the engine system improves fluid density, increases rotational power, and reduces the risk of component damage by managing condensate effectively, thereby enhancing engine performance and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the condensation of liquids from cooled exhaust gases
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger coupled to the exhaust gas recirculation conduit to cool at least a portion of the amount of exhaust
Implementation Method 3
a liquid accumulator adapted to accumulate liquid from at least a portion of the amount of exhaust
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for operating on an internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust conduit and an intake conduit include an exhaust gas recirculation conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit, a heat exchanger coupled to the exhaust gas recirculation conduit to cool at least a portion of the amount of exhaust, a liquid accumulator adapted to accumulate liquid from at least a portion of the amount of exhaust, and a condensate conduit coupled to the liquid accumulator. Methods of operating an engine include: receiving an exhaust gas recirculation stream from a main exhaust stream, cooling the exhaust gas recirculation stream, removing at least some condensate from the exhaust gas recirculation stream after cooling, and adding at least some of the condensate removed from the exhaust gas recirculation stream to the main exhaust stream and/or to an inlet charge of the engine.