Fuel cooling system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transportation refrigeration systems, fuel for the engine is exposed to heat and ambient temperatures, leading to increased fuel volume, reduced engine power, and increased unburned particulates due to decreased fuel viscosity and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cooling system is introduced, comprising a refrigeration unit, a bypass cooling circuit, and a heat exchanger, with valves to selectively supply refrigerant and fuel for thermal exchange, controlled by sensors and a controller to manage temperature conditions, enhancing engine efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If fuel is stored in the fuel tank under ambient temperature conditions, then the fuel volume increases due to thermal expansion, but the fuel density decreases reducing engine power
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the fuel by circulating it through the fuel cooling circuit where it exchanges heat with the refrigerant, thereby reducing thermal expansion and maintaining optimal fuel density for engine power
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cooling circuit acts as an intermediary between the fuel tank and the engine, using the refrigerant as a cooling medium to transfer heat away from the fuel and prevent excessive temperature rise
2Temperature
If fuel temperature increases, then the fuel viscosity decreases, but this causes increased leakage flow past pistons during injection
Solution Approach 1:
The system actively controls the fuel temperature parameter by cooling it through the fuel cooling circuit, preventing the temperature from rising to levels that would cause excessive viscosity reduction and piston leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cooling circuit performs preliminary cooling of the fuel before it reaches temperatures that would cause harmful effects, proactively preventing viscosity degradation and leakage issues
3Productivity
If the fuel cooling circuit is added to cool the fuel, then the engine efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by having the fuel cooling circuit serve dual purposes: cooling the fuel to improve engine efficiency while also utilizing the existing refrigerant from the refrigeration unit, thereby integrating multiple functions into a unified system
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cooling circuit is merged with the refrigeration system by using the refrigerant as a shared cooling medium, combining the fuel cooling function with the existing refrigeration infrastructure to reduce overall system complexity
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 cools the fuel, improving engine power, reducing emissions, and minimizing fuel consumption by optimizing fuel viscosity and density.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger thermally coupled between the bypass cooling circuit and the fuel cooling circuit
Implementation Method 2
configured to cool a fuel by thermal exchange with the refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A fuel cooling system includes a refrigeration unit configured to circulate a refrigerant, a bypass cooling circuit (132) fluidly coupled to the refrigeration unit, and a power generation system operably coupled to the refrigeration unit. The power generation system includes a fuel tank (34) fluidly coupled to an engine (32), and a fuel cooling circuit (160) is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the engine. The fuel cooling circuit is thermally coupled to the bypass cooling circuit and is configured to cool a fuel by thermal exchange with the refrigerant.