Prechamber Fluid Injector for NOx Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines produce excessive nitrogen oxide (NOx) due to high temperatures in combustion chambers, which existing technologies have not effectively mitigated.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injector is positioned at the end of a prechamber opposite the main combustion chamber to inject a cooling fluid, such as water, into the prechamber after combustion, reducing temperature and NOx formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high temperature combustion is used in the prechamber, then combustion efficiency is improved, but nitrogen oxide (NOx) production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid injector is positioned to introduce cooling fluid into the prechamber before the air-fuel mixture combustion is complete, specifically targeting the region near the injector to preemptively reduce temperatures in zones where NOx formation is most likely to occur, thereby preventing harmful emissions while maintaining combustion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid is introduced at a specific location (near the fluid injector) rather than uniformly throughout the prechamber, creating a localized cool zone that reduces NOx formation in the critical region near the injector while allowing other areas to maintain temperatures necessary for efficient combustion
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cooling fluid is injected into the prechamber, then nitrogen oxide (NOx) production is reduced, but combustion efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid is introduced at a specific location (near the fluid injector) rather than uniformly throughout the prechamber, creating a localized cool zone that reduces NOx formation in the critical region near the injector while allowing other areas to maintain temperatures necessary for efficient combustion
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid is introduced timing-critically during the combustion process, before peak temperatures are fully achieved, to prevent NOx formation without disrupting the overall combustion progression and energy release
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 fluid injection effectively reduces NOx production by cooling the prechamber, thereby minimizing overall NOx emissions from the engine.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid injector is positioned at the second end of the prechamber and configured to introduce a fluid into the prechamber following combustion of an air-fuel mixture within the prechamber
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for combustion in an engine includes a combustion chamber, a prechamber, and a fluid injector. The prechamber extends from a first end to a second is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber through at least one port positioned at the first end of the prechamber. The fluid injector is configured to introduce a fluid into the prechamber following combustion of an air-fuel mixture within the prechamber and positioned to introduce the fluid into the prechamber at the second end of the prechamber.