Fuel Combustion Control via Water Content Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combustion systems face challenges in maintaining desired combustion performance and optimizing combustion temperature, efficiency, and emissions when the water content of the fuel varies, as current methods rely on constant water content regulation which is not feasible in practice.

Innovation Solution

A method that continuously detects the water content of the fuel and adjusts the fuel supply, primary and secondary air proportions, and recirculation gas ratio to maintain optimal combustion conditions, allowing for automatic regulation of fuel supply and air composition based on detected humidity levels, regardless of water content fluctuations between 10% to 60%.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the water content of the fuel is kept constant by adding water or liquid waste, then the combustion performance can be maintained, but the system complexity increases and the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion performanceVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback control system where the water content of the fuel is continuously measured and used to automatically regulate the fuel feed rate and air supply. The controller receives water content data and adjusts operational parameters accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining combustion performance automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-regulation by automatically adjusting the fuel feed rate and air supply based on measured water content without requiring external control. The combustion system monitors its own fuel properties and makes necessary adjustments independently, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the fuel feed rate is adjusted based on measured water content, then the combustion performance is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional measurement and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions: it measures water content, regulates fuel feed rate, controls air supply, and monitors combustion parameters. By consolidating these functions into a single control system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining combustion performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from water content measurements to automatically adjust fuel feed rate and air supply through the controller, eliminating the need for separate manual control mechanisms and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the water content of the fuel increases, then the fuel supply rate must be increased to maintain combustion performance, but the energy efficiency decreases due to higher moisture content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel supply rateVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes operational parameters (fuel feed rate and air supply) based on the measured water content of the fuel. When water content increases, the system increases fuel supply and adjusts air supply accordingly to maintain combustion efficiency, optimizing energy utilization under varying fuel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the fuel feed rate and air supply in real-time based on measured water content variations. This dynamic control ensures optimal combustion performance and energy efficiency regardless of fuel moisture content fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the proportion of primary air is increased for high water content fuel, then the combustion efficiency improves, but the combustion temperature decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts air supply parameters based on measured water content. When water content is high, the system increases primary air proportion to improve combustion efficiency while managing combustion temperature through coordinated control of fuel feed rate and air supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically balances primary and secondary air proportions based on real-time water content measurements, adjusting the mix to optimize both combustion efficiency and temperature control under varying fuel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This method ensures consistent combustion performance, optimizes combustion temperature, efficiency, and reduces emissions by dynamically adjusting fuel supply and air composition in response to changing water content, enabling fully automatic operation across varying fuel conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a water content sensor (10) for detecting the water content of the fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater content detection:

Implementation Method 2

combustion of fuel in the form of biomass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

combustion of fuel in the form of biomass with a water content of 10 to 60% in a combustion system with a grate, fluidized bed or injection combustion, with the supply of combustion air containing primary air, secondary air and recirculated gas in a combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2770255B1Method for combustion of fuel
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 MAGGALE ANTON
  • EP2770255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2770255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2770255B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves detecting water content of a fuel. A supply of fuel having high water content is increased, and a supply of fuel having low water content is reduced by taking into account of the energy content of the fuel. A proportion of primary air (5) and/or secondary air (6) in the combustion air are selected depending on the detected water content of the fuel. The proportion of primary air is increased and the proportion of the secondary air is reduced for the fuel having high water content while reducing a proportion of a recirculation gas in the combustion air.