Fuel Injection Device Temperature Control for Reformer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injection devices with preheating elements struggle to maintain the optimal temperature range of 50° C to 80° C for hydrocarbon fuel viscosity during operation in high-temperature environments like fuel reformers, leading to unwanted heating and coke/soot deposition.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injection device that combines simultaneous heating of the hydrocarbon fuel with cooling of its exterior, using a heating device and cooling fluid to maintain the desired temperature range, with a thermostat for temperature regulation and thermal insulation to prevent heat transfer from the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fuel injection device is mounted to a hot device (fuel reformer), then the fuel can be heated to achieve desired viscosity, but the fuel temperature becomes uncontrolled and exceeds the optimal range due to ambient heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature control function into two independent subsystems: a heating device (heating element) and a cooling device (cooling element). These segments can be independently controlled to achieve precise temperature regulation. The heating element raises fuel temperature to achieve desired viscosity, while the cooling element removes excess heat from the hot environment, preventing temperature from exceeding the optimal range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the fuel by controlling temperature through dual heating and cooling mechanisms. By adjusting the balance between heating and cooling intensities, the system maintains fuel temperature within the optimal range for viscosity, ensuring reliable atomization and injection performance despite the hot ambient environment of the fuel reformer.
2Temperature
If the fuel injection nozzle is exposed to high temperatures, then the fuel can be preheated, but coke and soot deposit on the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful high-temperature environment into a beneficial preheating function through the heating element, while simultaneously using the cooling element to prevent excessive temperature that causes coke and soot deposition. The cooling device actively removes excess heat from the nozzle surface, transforming the potentially harmful thermal environment into a controlled heating process that achieves desired fuel viscosity without deposit formation.
3Reliability
If complex temperature regulating circuits with multiple actuated valves are used, then the fuel temperature can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from complex multi-valve circuits and implements it through a simplified dual-element system with a heating element and a cooling element. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple actuated valves and complex regulating circuits, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable temperature regulation through direct thermal control of the fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element and cooling element serve multiple functions: they control fuel temperature for viscosity optimization, prevent coke and soot deposition, and adapt to varying ambient temperature conditions. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for complex dedicated control circuits for each function, simplifying the overall system while maintaining comprehensive temperature regulation.
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 solution effectively maintains the optimal viscosity of hydrocarbon fuel for efficient atomization while reducing coke/soot deposition and minimizing heat transfer from the hot environment, allowing for efficient operation in high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged in the fuel injection device... the fuel, which is injected through the fuel injection device, is heated by a heating element
Implementation Method 2
provides a cooling of the outside of the fuel injection device... a heat transfer from the hot device, e.g. the fuel reformer, to the fuel injection device can be reduced
Implementation Method 3
the heating device is preferably arranged near the fuel injection device inlet and can be thermally insulated from the cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
In a fuel injection device and method for injecting hydrocarbon fuel into a fuel reformer, the temperature of the fuel injection device is regulated by simultaneously heating the fuel and cooling the fuel injection device.