Hydrogen Injection Combustion Control for NOx Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diesel engine technologies face challenges in reducing NOx emissions while maintaining fuel efficiency and engine performance, as Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems lead to increased heat rejection, engine wear, and the need for additional components like diesel particulate filters, and cannot alone meet stringent emissions requirements.
Innovation Solution
A NOx control system incorporating a control module and a hydrogen generation system that adjusts engine parameters by injecting hydrogen-containing gaseous products, such as oxyhydrogen, into the combustion chamber to optimize the air-to-fuel ratio and reduce NOx emissions, potentially eliminating the need for EGR systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is used to reduce NOx emissions, then NOx emissions are reduced, but heat rejection increases and engine wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of EGR systems (increased heat rejection and engine wear) by eliminating the need for EGR systems entirely. Instead, it uses a control module to optimize the air-to-fuel ratio directly at the combustion chamber, achieving NOx reduction without the harmful side effects of EGR recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of air-to-fuel ratio control from indirect EGR recirculation to direct optimization at the combustion chamber. The control module adjusts this parameter in real-time based on sensor feedback, achieving NOx reduction while maintaining optimal combustion efficiency and avoiding excessive heat rejection.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is used to reduce NOx emissions, then NOx emissions are reduced, but engine power density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the EGR system that causes power density loss and replaces it with direct air-to-fuel ratio control. This extraction eliminates the dilution of intake air with exhaust gases, thereby preserving engine power density while achieving NOx reduction through optimized combustion chemistry.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module uses feedback from sensors monitoring combustion chamber conditions to dynamically optimize the air-to-fuel ratio. This closed-loop control ensures that power output is maintained or improved while NOx emissions are reduced, as the system continuously adjusts parameters based on real-time performance data.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is used to reduce NOx emissions, then NOx emissions are reduced, but additional components are required and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex EGR system and its associated components (EGR valves, recirculation manifolds, particulate filters) by implementing a simpler direct control approach. The control module manages air-to-fuel ratio optimization without requiring the additional hardware infrastructure of EGR systems, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex EGR system components with a more economical control module that uses existing sensor infrastructure. This substitution reduces the cost of additional components and lowers maintenance requirements, as the control system leverages already-present sensors rather than requiring dedicated EGR hardware.
4Use of energy by moving object
If air-to-fuel ratio is increased to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control module uses feedback from combustion chamber sensors to dynamically adjust the air-to-fuel ratio, optimizing the balance between fuel efficiency and NOx emissions. This closed-loop control allows the system to operate at different air-to-fuel ratios depending on operating conditions, achieving both fuel efficiency and emissions control simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the air-to-fuel ratio dynamic rather than static, allowing real-time adjustment based on combustion chamber conditions. The control module continuously optimizes this parameter to adapt to varying engine loads and operating conditions, achieving optimal fuel efficiency and NOx emissions control across different operating points.
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 approach effectively reduces NOx emissions while maintaining or improving fuel efficiency and engine performance, potentially eliminating the need for EGR systems and associated maintenance costs, and can operate under various engine conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen generation system that adjusts engine parameters by injecting hydrogen-containing gaseous products, such as oxyhydrogen, into the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
injecting hydrogen-containing gaseous products, such as oxyhydrogen, into the combustion chamber to optimize the air-to-fuel ratio and reduce NOx emissions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
An engine system and method for operating an internal combustion engine in dynamically varying conditions. An exemplary system comprises an internal combustion engine configured to receive both a primary fuel and a secondary fuel into one or more chambers in which a combustion process occurs, a fuel injection system, an air intake manifold and a fuel manifold; an electronic system which controls timing and metering of the primary fuel and/or the secondary fuel in the combustion process; and a plurality of sensors positioned to measure one or more variables associated with combustion of the primary fuel in the presence of the secondary fuel. The electronic system is configured to apply a control signal to adjust an engine setting to reduce NOx emissions based in part on the magnitude of the variable.