Gas Engine Dual Compressor Turbocharger Lambda Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas engines face inefficiencies in mixture formation due to the inability to compress fuel gas separately and efficiently before combustion, limiting precise and dynamic lambda control, especially when the mixing unit is positioned after the compressor.
Innovation Solution
A gas engine design that utilizes at least two compressors driven by an exhaust gas turbocharger to separately compress charge air and fuel gas, allowing for efficient compression and mixing close to the combustion chambers, with optional configurations using one or two turbines and bypass controls for optimized boost pressure and mixing ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the mixing unit is arranged downstream from the compressor in the intake path, then the mixture formation can occur closer to the combustion chambers improving lambda control precision, but the fuel gas must be compressed using mechanical or electrical pumps which reduces overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compression function into two separate compressors: one for charge air and one for fuel gas. This segmentation allows each compressor to be optimized for its specific gas type and operating conditions, enabling the fuel gas compressor to be driven by the exhaust gas turbocharger rather than requiring separate mechanical or electrical pumps, thus maintaining system efficiency while achieving precise mixture control
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas turbocharger is given multi-functionality by using it to drive both the charge air compressor and the fuel gas compressor. This universal application of the turbocharger recovers exhaust energy for dual compression purposes, eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming pumps and improving overall system efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If the mixing unit is arranged in the unpressurized region before the compressor, then the fuel gas can be injected without compression, but the mixture formation occurs too early reducing lambda control dynamics and precision
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel gas is compressed in advance by a dedicated compressor driven by the exhaust gas turbocharger before reaching the mixing unit. This preliminary compression enables the fuel gas to be mixed with charge air at high pressure close to the combustion chambers, achieving both precise lambda control and efficient energy utilization
3Stress or pressure
If a mechanical or electrical pump is used to compress fuel gas downstream from the compressor, then the fuel gas can be pressurized for mixing, but the overall system efficiency cannot reach optimal levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste energy in the exhaust gas stream into a useful resource by using the exhaust gas turbocharger to drive the fuel gas compressor. This transforms what would otherwise be lost energy into the driving force for compressing fuel gas to the required pressure, significantly improving overall energy efficiency compared to using separate mechanical or electrical pumps
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 design achieves improved mixture control and efficiency by enabling separate and efficient compression of intake air and fuel gas, resulting in precise and dynamic lambda control, enhancing overall engine performance compared to current systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one turbine (3), which is driven by the exhaust gas of the engine and which drives the two separate compressors (4, 4') for the two gas components
Implementation Method 2
the two compressors (4, 4'), via which the two gas components can be compressed separately before being supplied to the mixing unit (7)
Data Source
AI summary
A gas engine includes a mixing unit for mixing two gas components, which are fed to one or more combustion chambers of the gas engine, in particular for mixing fuel gas and charge air, as well as two compressors. By way of the compressors, the two gas components are separately compressed before the two gas components are fed to the mixing unit. Both compressors are driven by a turbine arranged in the exhaust gas system of the gas engine.