Fuel Supply Methane Purge Control Using Inert Gas and Burner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel supply systems for internal combustion engines using LNG and CNG face challenges in managing methane emissions during non-operational states, leading to potential leakage and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes an inert gas supply system to flush the fuel supply system with inert gas, directing surplus methane to a burner for combustion into residuals like CO2 and water vapor, controlled by a processing circuitry that predicts non-operational periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the fuel supply system is flushed with inert gas to remove surplus methane, then methane emissions are reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional components (inert gas supply system, burner, controllable valve device)
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures surplus methane that would otherwise be emitted as a harmful greenhouse gas and converts it into a useful fuel source by directing it to a burner for combustion. This transforms the harmful methane emissions into beneficial energy recovery, simultaneously reducing environmental impact and potentially recovering energy.
Solution Approach 2:
An inert gas supply system is introduced as an intermediary substance to flush the fuel supply system and carry surplus methane from the fuel tank through the controllable valve device to the burner. The inert gas acts as a mediator that enables the transfer and controlled disposal of methane without directly reacting with it.
2Reliability
If a controllable valve device is added to direct flushed-out methane to the burner, then methane is safely combusted, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives signals about the vehicle's operational state and the fuel supply system status, then automatically adjusts the controllable valve device to direct methane flow appropriately. This feedback mechanism ensures safe combustion operations without requiring manual intervention, maintaining reliability while automating the control process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the methane disposal process by using the controller to monitor conditions and actuate the controllable valve device as needed. The system serves itself by autonomously directing surplus methane to the burner when conditions warrant, eliminating the need for manual operation while ensuring safe combustion.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the processing circuitry predicts non-operational periods to trigger inert gas injection, then methane is prevented from being emitted during idle time, but the loss of time increases due to the flushing process during operational transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry predicts upcoming non-operational periods in advance and triggers the inert gas injection and methane disposal process before the vehicle actually shuts down. This preliminary action ensures that surplus methane is removed from the system before emissions could occur, preventing harmful emissions proactively rather than reactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the inert gas flushing and methane disposal process quickly during brief transition periods, rushing through the necessary steps to clear surplus methane before the non-operational state begins. This minimizes the time penalty by efficiently completing the flushing operation without prolonging the process.
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
Reduces methane emissions by safely burning off trapped methane, converting it into less potent greenhouse gases, thereby minimizing environmental impact and improving fuel supply efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
flush the fuel supply system connecting the fuel tank to the ICE with inert gas
Implementation Method 2
direct any flushed-out methane to the burner, allowing the methane to be mixed with ambient air and burned into residuals
Data Source
AI summary
A system for handling surplus methane in a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine (ICE) system, the system comprising: an inert gas supply system configured to be in fluid communication with the fuel supply system and further configured to supply inert gas to an inert gas supply conduit position of the fuel supply system; a burner configured to be in fluid communication with the fuel supply system via a controllable valve device, the controllable valve device being disposed downstream the fuel supply conduit position; and a controller comprising processing circuitry configured to: predict an upcoming ICE non-operational time period; in response to the predicted ICE non-operational time period, determine to inject inert gas to the inert gas supply conduit position so as to flush the fuel supply system; and control the controllable valve device to direct any flushed-out methane to the burner.