Injector Mounting With Protected Catalyst for Steam-Reformed Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oxidation of catalysts in internal combustion engines can have a detrimental effect on catalytic reaction performance.
Innovation Solution
The catalyst is housed in an injector mounting outside the combustion chamber, protected by a mounting body with a porous retaining member, allowing the fuel-air mixture to pass through and undergo steam reformation, separating hydrogen from fuel and aqueous fluid, while minimizing catalyst exposure to oxygen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the catalyst is mounted inside the combustion chamber, then the catalytic reaction can occur directly on the fuel-air mixture, but the catalyst is exposed to oxygen and undergoes oxidation which deteriorates its performance
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber is segmented into two distinct spaces: a pre-combustion chamber for fuel injection and initial combustion, and a main combustion chamber. The catalyst is mounted in the pre-combustion chamber where it contacts fuel vapor before combustion, avoiding exposure to oxygen in the main chamber while maintaining catalytic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-combustion chamber acts as an intermediary space between the fuel injection system and the main combustion chamber. It allows the catalyst to process fuel vapor in a controlled environment before the mixture enters the main combustion chamber, protecting the catalyst from direct oxygen exposure while enabling catalytic reactions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the catalyst is mounted independently in the cylinder head, then the catalyst is protected from oxidation, but the device complexity increases and thermal efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The injector mounting body and catalyst mounting structure are merged into a single integrated component. The injector mounting body that already exists in the cylinder head is modified to include a pre-combustion chamber and catalyst mounting features, eliminating the need for separate catalyst mounting hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The injector mounting body serves multiple functions: it mounts the fuel injector, houses the pre-combustion chamber, and provides mounting for the catalyst. This multi-functional design consolidates several components into one, reducing device complexity while maintaining catalyst protection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the catalyst is mounted in the pre-combustion chamber, then thermal efficiency is improved by reusing heat, but the catalyst may be exposed to high temperatures that could accelerate degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst performs catalytic reactions on the fuel vapor before combustion occurs in the pre-combustion chamber. By acting preliminarily on the unburnt fuel mixture, the catalyst generates heat that is then reused during the actual combustion process, improving thermal efficiency while the catalyst operates at lower temperatures than if it were exposed to post-combustion gases.
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 configuration protects the catalyst from oxidation, enhances reaction efficiency, and improves thermal efficiency by reusing heat, reducing cooling requirements and improving overall engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
undergo steam reformation, separating hydrogen from fuel and aqueous fluid
Implementation Method 2
a catalyst is provided in the pre-combustion chamber. In use, a fuel-air mixture from the injector is combusted in the pre-combustion chamber and the products of combustion flow over the catalyst
Data Source
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AI summary
An internal combustion engine injector mounting (1700) is configured to i) secure an injector (36) to an internal combustion engine body (14) so that the injector can inject a heated aqueous fluid and a fuel into a combustion chamber (12) of the internal combustion engine, and ii) hold a catalyst (1714) so that the heated aqueous fluid and fuel are injected into the combustion chamber by passing through the catalyst. The catalyst is contained within the mounting to protect against oxidation by combustion processes that, in use, take place in the combustion chamber.