Hybrid Combustion Steam Engine Waste Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines suffer from significant thermal inefficiencies due to the loss of fuel heating value through radiation, engine coolant, and exhaust, with existing attempts to recover waste heat either increasing the size, weight, and cost of the power plant or compromising engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A combined internal combustion and steam engine design that recycles steam in a closed circuit using a high-efficiency expander, integrating steam power with the internal combustion engine to recover waste heat without the need for a separate steam expander, while minimizing engine size and weight and preventing condensation losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a separate steam expander is added to recover waste heat, then energy recovery efficiency improves, but device complexity, size, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam generation and expansion functions into a single integrated unit where the combustion chamber serves dual purposes: burning fuel for direct power and generating steam for waste heat recovery. This eliminates the need for separate steam expanders and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining energy recovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion chamber is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the power generation chamber for the internal combustion engine and the steam generator for waste heat recovery. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall power plant architecture.
2Loss of energy
If a separate steam expander is added to recover waste heat, then energy recovery efficiency improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam expansion function with the existing combustion chamber, eliminating the need for separate steam expander components. This integration significantly reduces the overall weight of the power plant while maintaining the ability to recover waste heat effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion chamber is designed to serve dual purposes: generating power through fuel combustion and producing steam for waste heat recovery. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional heavy components dedicated solely to steam generation and expansion.
3Loss of energy
If steam is admitted to the cylinder, then waste heat is recovered, but steam condensation on cylinder walls causes power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-heats the cylinder walls using the exhaust gas stream before steam admission. This preliminary heating action prevents steam condensation on cold surfaces during the power stroke, eliminating power loss while maintaining effective waste heat recovery through steam generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas continuously flows over the cylinder walls to maintain elevated temperatures, ensuring that the surfaces remain hot throughout the operation. This continuous heating prevents steam condensation and maintains power output while enabling sustained waste heat recovery.
4Loss of energy
If the cylinder length is increased to accommodate steam, then steam power is recovered, but engine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam generation space with the existing combustion chamber volume, eliminating the need for extended cylinder length. The steam is generated within the same space used for combustion, recovering waste heat without increasing the overall engine dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generation process is nested within the existing combustion chamber structure. The exhaust gas pathways and steam generation components are integrated into the existing cylinder volume, allowing steam power recovery without requiring additional external space or increased cylinder length.
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 a 25% improvement in steam rate and higher efficiency than conventional counterflow engines, with flexibility under varying load conditions, and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by effectively utilizing waste heat within the engine itself.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer devices for efficiently recovering waste combustion heat from the I.C. engine assembly
Implementation Method 2
steam expansion chamber powered by steam generated from what would have been waste combustion heat
Implementation Method 3
an expandable combustion chamber for burning fuel to power a piston by combustion
Implementation Method 4
steam condensing on the cylinder or piston walls or heads upon admission
Data Source
AI summary
A combination internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein with an internal combustion chamber and a steam chamber in the cylinder adjacent the piston and at least one steam exhaust port positioned to communicate with the steam chamber through the wall of the cylinder for exhausting steam at a location in the cylinder wall adjacent to an engine cylinder cap surface that is heated externally to assist in reducing chilling or condensation of steam entering the steam chamber from a boiler fired by waste combustion heat. The invention also permits steam admitted from a steam chest jacketing the cylinder cap to be exhausted from the engine when the steam chamber is in an expanded state whereupon residual steam is then recompressed prior to admitting the next charge of steam with the stream in the steam chamber being heated directly by the combustion chamber as well as by heat from the steam chest. An I.C. exhaust powered heater is a part of an I.C. exhaust manifold which functions as an afterburner with supplemental air injection for promoting combustion of unburned exhaust constituents to superheat steam that is piped through it to the steam chest. The invention provides valves for balancing steam engine displacement with boiler output and for cylinder compounding with a boiler, heat exchange and control arrangement for efficiently recovering waste heat.