Gas Combustion Control for Variable Propane-Butane Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas appliances do not achieve optimal burning efficiency due to variations in gas composition within the tank, as they burn either propane or butane without adjusting the air-fuel ratio or water supply accordingly, leading to reduced performance as the gas type changes.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts the air-fuel ratio and water supply based on the composition of the gas in the tank by reading and comparing burning data from a database, using sensors to monitor combustion efficiency and adjust gas, air, and water flow rates to maintain optimal burning conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the gas appliance uses a fixed air-fuel ratio for combustion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the burning efficiency deteriorates when gas composition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the air-fuel ratio based on real-time detection of gas composition. The control system continuously monitors the gas mixture in the tank and automatically adjusts combustion parameters to match the current fuel composition, transitioning from a static fixed ratio system to a dynamic adaptive system that maintains optimal burning efficiency throughout the gas consumption cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the combustion parameters (air-fuel ratio, water flow rate) according to the detected gas composition. When the gas mixture changes from propane-rich to butane-rich, the system modifies the air-fuel ratio and water supply parameters to optimize combustion for the current fuel type, thereby maintaining high burning efficiency despite fuel composition variations
2Duration of action of moving object
If the gas appliance burns butane after propane, then the fuel supply duration is extended, but the burning efficiency deteriorates due to mismatched combustion parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the gas composition is continuously detected during combustion, and the combustion parameters are adjusted in response to the detected changes. This closed-loop control ensures that as the gas composition transitions from propane to butane, the system receives feedback about the changing fuel type and automatically adjusts the air-fuel ratio and water flow to maintain optimal burning efficiency throughout the entire fuel supply duration
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of gas composition before and during combustion, allowing it to anticipate and prepare for fuel type transitions. By detecting the changing gas mixture in advance, the control system can proactively adjust combustion parameters before efficiency deteriorates, ensuring continuous optimal performance as the fuel supply progresses
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 ensures consistent high burning efficiency by adapting to the changing gas composition, optimizing combustion based on the type of gas being burned, thereby improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
Gas appliances, such as water heater, gas stove, and fireplace... It mainly contains two components, propane and butane... the gas appliance burns butane after propane
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling combustion of a gas appliance includes the following steps: a) Read a first burning data in a database; b) Burn gas according to the first burning data; c) Obtain a burning efficiency of the gas appliance; and d) Compare the burning efficiency with a predetermined value, and repeat the step b to the step d when the burning efficiency is higher than the value, or read a second burning data in the database and burn gas according to the second burning data when the burning efficiency is lower than the value. The present invention provides plural stages of burning according to the main component of the gas to be burned to increase the total burning efficiency.