Gas Engine Power Control for Low Source Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas engines face operational challenges when the source gas pressure decreases, leading to difficulties in injecting gas fuel against intake-air pressure, potentially causing misfires and requiring costly compressor installations to maintain operation in continuous processing facilities.

Innovation Solution

A control system that adjusts the power output of a gas engine by setting target values based on detected source gas pressure, allowing the engine to continue operating without additional pressure-increasing devices by reducing power output and ensuring gas fuel can be injected against decreased intake-air pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the source gas pressure decreases, then the gas engine cannot maintain the required inlet pressure for proper fuel injection, but installing a compressor to increase pressure increases facility cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas engine operation continuityVSAvoidfacility cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas engine operates dynamically by adjusting power output based on source gas pressure conditions. The control system transitions the engine from a static fixed-power operation to a dynamic variable-power operation, allowing continuous operation across different pressure conditions without additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the gas engine by adjusting power output according to source gas pressure. By modifying the power output parameter in response to pressure changes, the system maintains reliable operation without requiring pressure-increasing devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the gas engine operates at full load, then the power output is maximized, but the gas engine cannot operate when source gas pressure is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidoperation range under different pressure conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gas engine adapts to varying source gas pressure conditions through dynamic power output adjustment. The control system enables the engine to operate across a range of power levels rather than at a fixed full-load condition, expanding the operational envelope to include low-pressure scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the power output parameter in response to source gas pressure variations, the system expands its adaptability. The engine can now operate under diverse pressure conditions by adjusting its power level, transforming from a rigid full-load-only operation to a flexible multi-condition operation mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the power output is reduced to maintain operation at low source gas pressure, then the engine can continue running, but the facility cannot meet full power demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidpower supply capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically balances reliability and productivity by adjusting power output according to source gas pressure. Rather than a fixed operation mode, the engine continuously adapts its power level to maintain operation while providing available power to the facility, optimizing the trade-off between continuous operation and power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2518299B9Device and method of controlling gas engine
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP2518299B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2518299B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2518299B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control system (30) for controlling a power output of a gas engine (1) of the present invention comprises a target value setting section (43) for setting as a target value (KWT) a restricted power output which is less than a predetermined power output when a source gas pressure (P0) of a gas fuel is less than a predetermined value (P0m_100) required to inject the gas fuel against an intake-air pressure (PB100) according to the predetermined power output, a power output setting section (44) for setting a set value (KWSET) of a power output (KW) based on the target value (KWT) set by the target value setting section (43), and a power output control section (45) for controlling the power output (KW) so that the power output (KW) reaches the set value (KWSET) set by the power output setting section (44).