Fuel Supply Device for Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel storage and onboard reformation systems for hydrogen internal combustion engines face challenges with low volumetric energy density and complex, expensive storage methods, as well as high energy requirements and space needs for molecular hydrogen storage.
Innovation Solution
A dual fuel engine system is implemented, where a primary fuel remains chemically untreated and is supplied directly to the engine, while a secondary fuel, produced by an integrated reformation device, is used to optimize combustion and ensure reliable ignition, with the secondary fuel acting as a booster and improving fuel quality by being injected into the combustion chamber or prechamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If molecular hydrogen is stored using conventional physical storage methods, then the fuel can be used in mobile fuel cell drives, but the volumetric energy density is considerably lower compared to gasoline and diesel fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameter from physical storage of molecular hydrogen to chemical storage in liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC). This parameter change allows the fuel to achieve higher volumetric energy density comparable to conventional liquids while maintaining usability in mobile fuel cell drives through onboard reformation processes.
2Reliability
If molecular hydrogen is stored using conventional physical storage methods, then the fuel can be used in mobile fuel cell drives, but the storage system becomes very complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from physical storage parameters to chemical storage parameters by using liquid organic hydrogen carriers. This change simplifies the storage system by utilizing conventional liquid fuel infrastructure and storage methods, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining fuel usability through chemical bonds.
3Reliability
If the total fuel taken from the fuel tank passes through the reformation process, then hydrogen is provided in molecular form for combustion, but the energy requirements and construction space for the reformation device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial reformation action by reforming only a portion of the fuel rather than the entire fuel volume. This selective partial reformation provides sufficient molecular hydrogen for reliable combustion initiation while minimizing the energy requirements and construction space needed for the reformation device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fuel processing into two distinct paths: a reformation path for a portion of the fuel to generate molecular hydrogen, and a direct combustion path for the remaining fuel. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable ignition with reduced reformation capacity, thereby lowering energy requirements and device size.
4Reliability
If the total fuel passes through the reformation process, then hydrogen is provided for combustion, but the construction space required for the reformation device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial reformation by processing only a fraction of the total fuel through the reformation device. This partial action approach provides adequate molecular hydrogen for reliable combustion while significantly reducing the construction space required for the reformation device compared to complete fuel reformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the fuel supply into segmented paths: one path routes a portion of fuel through the reformation device for molecular hydrogen generation, while another path delivers the remaining fuel directly to combustion. This segmentation reduces the throughput requirement and construction space of the reformation device.
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 approach reduces the effort and complexity of onboard reformation, enhances energy efficiency, and lowers emissions by optimizing the air/fuel mixture and utilizing a smaller, less energy-intensive reforming device, allowing for more efficient and reliable hydrogen internal combustion engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a second fuel supply path which leads through a reformation device in which a chemical splitting takes place and which provides a secondary fuel as a first reformate
Implementation Method 2
both types of fuel originating from the common fuel tank... supplied to the internal combustion engine for combustion
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a fuel supply device for supplying a fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising: a fuel store for storing a primary fuel; and at least two parallel fuel supply paths that are connected to the fuel store, on the one hand, and to the internal combustion engine, on the other hand, wherein the primary fuel can be supplied from the fuel store to the internal combustion engine by means of the first fuel supply path for the purpose of combustion, and the second fuel supply path has at least one reforming device that reforms the primary fuel supplied from the fuel tank into a secondary fuel, and to supply at least a portion of the produced secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine for the purpose of combustion.