Fuel Conditioning Refrigeration Assembly for Engine Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for conditioning natural gas in pipelines, such as membrane separators, can hinder fuel flow and require downtime for maintenance, and do not effectively remove detrimental hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, and butane, which negatively impact internal combustion engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an internal combustion engine with a refrigeration assembly connected to the fuel intake line that cools the natural gas to condense heavy hydrocarbons, which are then separated from the gaseous fuel, enhancing engine performance by providing a higher quality fuel supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a membrane separator is used to remove unwanted hydrocarbons from raw natural gas, then the fuel quality is improved, but the fuel flow is hindered and engine performance is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the natural gas by cooling it to condense heavy hydrocarbons. This temperature change allows for effective removal of detrimental hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane) while maintaining fuel flow, resolving the contradiction between fuel quality improvement and productivity maintenance.
2Reliability
If a membrane separator is used to upgrade raw field gas, then unwanted hydrocarbons are removed, but the membrane separator becomes damaged or clogged requiring downtime for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition by cooling the natural gas to condense heavy hydrocarbons from gaseous to liquid state. This condensation process allows for continuous separation of unwanted hydrocarbons without the membrane clogging or damage issues that plague membrane separator systems, thereby maintaining reliability and eliminating maintenance downtime.
3Reliability
If heavy hydrocarbons are removed from natural gas to improve engine performance, then compression ratio increases and engine wear reduces, but additional energy is required for the removal process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using waste heat from the engine itself to provide the cooling necessary for hydrocarbon condensation. The engine's own thermal energy is redirected to cool the natural gas in the fuel intake line, eliminating the need for external energy input and making the fuel conditioning process self-sufficient.
4Manufacturing precision
If natural gas is cooled to condense heavy hydrocarbons, then fuel quality is improved, but the compression ratio and engine performance are enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heavy hydrocarbons into a beneficial separation process. By cooling the natural gas, the heavy hydrocarbons condense and can be removed, improving fuel quality. Simultaneously, the removal of these hydrocarbons increases the compression ratio and enhances engine performance, turning a potential problem into a dual benefit.
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 improves engine performance by increasing the compression ratio and reducing engine wear, while also allowing for the reuse or resale of separated hydrocarbons, and operates efficiently using waste heat from the engine, minimizing additional power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the gaseous fuel to a temperature below a dew point of the gaseous fuel, thereby causing condensation of heavy hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 2
separating the condensed heavy hydrocarbons from the gaseous fuel
Implementation Method 3
an internal combustion engine configured to combust a gaseous fuel
Data Source
AI summary
An engine assembly may include an internal combustion engine configured to combust a gaseous fuel. The engine assembly may also include a fuel intake line operatively connected to the internal combustion engine. The fuel intake line may be configured to direct the gaseous fuel towards the internal combustion engine. The engine assembly may further include a refrigeration assembly operatively connected to the fuel intake line. The refrigeration assembly may be configured to cool the gaseous fuel in the fuel intake line.