Gas Engine Intake Air Heating for Part-Load Pumping Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas engine power generation systems fail to effectively reduce pumping loss and improve combustion efficiency under part load conditions, and existing methods to heat intake air often require additional fuel consumption or power usage, degrading engine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gas engine power generation system that heats intake air using engine-generated heat, controlled by a controller based on coolant temperature and engine load, utilizing intake and coolant passage controllers to manage airflow and coolant distribution through different channels to optimize heating at appropriate times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intake air is heated using existing methods (air heater or exhaust gas), then starting performance is improved, but additional fuel consumption or power usage is required, reducing engine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from engine coolant into a beneficial resource for heating intake air. The coolant heat exchanger captures thermal energy that would otherwise be lost, using it to preheat intake air during cold operation, thereby improving starting performance without additional fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own coolant heat to warm the intake air, making the heating process self-sufficient. The coolant circulation system serves dual purposes: cooling the engine and providing thermal energy for intake air heating, eliminating the need for separate heating systems or additional fuel input.
2Productivity
If intake air is heated to improve combustion efficiency, then engine efficiency improves, but pumping loss increases due to temperature-induced pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between cold air intake and heated air intake based on operating conditions. During part-load operation where pumping loss is critical, the ECU closes the heated air intake valve to maintain low intake temperature. During cold operation or high-load conditions, the valve opens to allow heated air, optimizing the balance between combustion efficiency and pumping loss across different operating regimes.
3Temperature
If coolant is used to heat intake air, then additional heating capability is provided, but coolant temperature control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coolant heat exchanger as an intermediary device that transfers thermal energy from coolant to intake air without requiring direct mixing or complex thermal management. This heat exchanger acts as a mediator, enabling temperature control through simple on/off valve actuation rather than complex thermal regulation systems.
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
Reduces pumping loss and improves combustion efficiency by heating intake air at optimal times, promoting fuel evaporation and enhancing engine performance under part load conditions without additional fuel or power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an intake air heater provided in the intake path at a portion where the second intake passage is formed, and dissipating heat of the coolant having passed through the engine
Implementation Method 2
a radiator configured to dissipate heat of the coolant having passed through the engine
Implementation Method 3
thermal energy produced by combustion of air and fuel in an engine cylinder is converted into mechanical energy of a linear reciprocating motion of the piston
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a gas engine power generation system, having an engine configured to generate mechanical energy by burning an air-fuel mixture supplied from a mixer, which mixes air filtered by passing through an air cleaner, and fuel of a predetermined pressure which has passed through a zero governor, in which the gas engine power generation system converts the mechanical energy of the engine into electrical energy. The gas engine power generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an intake path having a first intake passage and a second intake passage in which air to be supplied to the mixer flows; an intake passage controller configured to open either one of the first intake passage or the second intake passage and to close the other one; a coolant pump configured to supply coolant to the engine; a radiator configured to dissipate heat of the coolant having passed through the engine; an intake air heater provided in the intake path at a portion where the second intake passage is formed, and configured to dissipate heat of the coolant having passed through the engine; a coolant passage controller configured to distribute the coolant, having passed through the engine, to the coolant pump, the radiator, and the intake air heater; and a controller configured to control operations of the intake passage controller, the coolant passage controller, and the coolant pump based on temperature of the coolant, having passed through the engine, and load information of the engine.