Gaseous Fuel Pressure Control for Brake Thermal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not effectively regulate gaseous fuel pressure in internal combustion engines while considering the mitigation of emissions, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy costs due to the compressible nature of gaseous fuels.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a storage vessel, pressurizer, bypass valve, and controller to dynamically adjust gaseous fuel pressure in the fuel rail based on engine conditions, optimizing brake thermal efficiency and minimizing energy consumption, while using a reductant to mitigate emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If gaseous fuel is pressurized from storage pressure to injection pressure, then injection pressure is improved, but energy consumption increases due to compressible fluid properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressurization strategy based on real-time comparison between storage pressure and injection pressure requirements. The controller monitors pressure conditions and selectively activates the pressurizer only when storage pressure falls below the required injection pressure, avoiding continuous pressurization and reducing energy consumption associated with compressing the gaseous fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the pressurizer based on the compressible nature of gaseous fuel. By monitoring storage pressure and comparing it with required injection pressure, the system adjusts pressurization levels dynamically, optimizing the balance between achieving sufficient injection pressure and minimizing the energy required to compress the gas.
2Stability of the object's composition
If storage pressure is increased to maintain injection pressure, then injection pressure stability is improved, but brake thermal efficiency decreases due to energy costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring storage pressure and comparing it with the required injection pressure. The controller uses this feedback information to determine when pressurization is necessary, maintaining injection pressure stability only when needed rather than continuously pressurizing, thereby reducing energy losses and improving brake thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than maintaining constant high storage pressure, the system dynamically adjusts pressurization based on actual injection pressure requirements. This dynamic approach maintains injection pressure stability when necessary while avoiding the continuous energy expenditure associated with maintaining elevated storage pressure, thus improving overall brake thermal efficiency.
3Reliability
If continuous pressurization is used to maintain injection pressure, then fuel delivery reliability is improved, but energy costs increase due to compressible fuel properties
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system monitors storage pressure and fuel delivery requirements in real-time, activating the pressurizer only when storage pressure drops below the level needed for reliable fuel delivery. This ensures fuel delivery reliability is maintained when necessary while avoiding continuous pressurization and the associated high energy costs of compressing gaseous fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous pressurization, the system employs periodic or on-demand pressurization activated only when storage pressure falls below the threshold required for reliable fuel delivery. This periodic action maintains fuel delivery reliability while significantly reducing the energy costs associated with continuous compression of the compressible gaseous fuel.
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
The system optimizes gaseous fuel pressure regulation to enhance engine efficiency and reduce emissions by minimizing energy costs associated with pressurizing compressible fuels, achieving improved brake thermal efficiency and effective emissions control.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurizer is in fluid communication with the storage vessel for pressurizing the gaseous fuel above the storage pressure
Implementation Method 2
There is a bypass valve in fluid communication with the storage vessel and operable between an open position allowing the flow of gaseous fuel therethrough bypassing the pressurizer and a closed position blocking the flow of the gaseous fuel therethrough
Implementation Method 3
determine a second-pressure brake thermal efficiency based on the injection pressure and an energy cost of pressurizing the gaseous fuel from the storage pressure to the second pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An engine fueled with a gaseous fuel includes a storage vessel storing the gaseous fuel in the gas state. For an engine speed and engine load, a storage-pressure brake thermal efficiency (where an injection pressure equals the storage pressure) is compared to a second-pressure brake thermal efficiency (where the injection pressure is equal to the second pressure and based on a parasitic energy cost of pressurizing the gaseous fuel from the storage pressure to the second pressure). The gaseous fuel is pressurized from the storage pressure to the second pressure when the second-pressure brake thermal efficiency is greater than the storage-pressure brake thermal efficiency.