Predictive Spark Control for H2-ICE Combustion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural Gas and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (NG-ICEs and H2-ICEs) face significant challenges due to large variations in Start of Combustion (SOC) and high propensity to combustion anomalies like backfire, knock, and preignition, which limit their power density and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A predictive model-based spark control system that adjusts the spark energy/power characteristic during the same cycle spark event by detecting the spark location and flow velocity, predicting the SOC, and making real-time adjustments to minimize SOC variations and reduce combustion anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-energy/power spark ignition systems are used to ignite ultra-lean Hydrogen mixtures, then ignition reliability is improved, but SOC variations increase causing combustion anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition system dynamically adjusts spark energy and power characteristics during the same cycle spark event based on detected spark location and flow velocity conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable ignition across varying operating conditions while minimizing SOC variations that lead to combustion anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting spark location and flow velocity, predicting SOC, and using this information to adjust spark energy in real-time. This closed-loop approach ensures ignition reliability while actively minimizing SOC variations to prevent combustion anomalies.
2Productivity
If advanced SOC is used to achieve fast combustion, then power density is improved, but knock and preignition occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes spark energy parameters based on detected conditions to optimize combustion. By adjusting spark energy and power characteristics according to spark location and flow velocity, the system achieves fast combustion for high power density while controlling SOC to prevent knock and preignition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts combustion characteristics by modifying spark energy during the same cycle based on real-time detection of spark location and flow velocity. This dynamic control enables the system to achieve advanced SOC for high power density while preventing combustion anomalies.
3Stability of the object's composition
If retarded SOC is used to avoid knock, then combustion stability is improved, but backfire and misfire occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts spark energy parameters based on detected conditions to optimize combustion timing. By changing spark energy characteristics according to spark location and flow velocity, the system maintains stable combustion while preventing backfire and misfire that would result from overly retarded SOC.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system detects spark location and flow velocity, predicts SOC, and adjusts spark energy to maintain optimal combustion timing. This ensures combustion stability while preventing backfire and misfire through real-time adaptation.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If high flow velocity is used to prevent electrode wear, then electrode durability is improved, but flame kernel blow out occurs causing misfire
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes spark energy parameters based on detected flow velocity conditions. By adjusting spark energy and power characteristics according to flow velocity, the system maintains electrode durability through adequate flow while preventing flame kernel blow out that would cause misfire.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts spark energy based on real-time detection of flow velocity conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain electrode durability while preventing flame kernel blow out and ensuring reliable ignition.
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 significantly reduces SOC variations, minimizes the occurrence of combustion anomalies, and enables H2-ICEs to operate at higher power densities and efficiencies, making them more competitive with Hydrogen Fuel Cells.
Implementation Method 1
a spark-gap electrode assembly, comprising: a primary electrode disposed within the prechamber volume; and one or more ground electrodes disposed within the prechamber volume and offset from the primary electrode to form one or more electrode gaps; introducing a spark across at least one of the one or more electrodes gaps to ignite the fuel-air mixture
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, remarkable improvements in H2-ICE performance may be achieved with the combination of Active Scavenge Prechamber technology and Predictive Model-Based Spark Control to overcome the drawbacks of known combustion technologies. In certain embodiments, advanced combustion modeling and simulations of the ignition process including the spark event, the arc-travel and stretching, and resulting flame propagation may be used to predict the relationship between the spark energy/power, the flow within the electrode gap, and the flame development (SOC) for different engines, different spark plugs and at various conditions. This information may be used to adjust the spark energy/power characteristic during the same cycle spark event, to minimize the SOC variations and to significantly reduce the propensity to combustion anomalies, such as backfire, knock and preignition, that prevent achieving high engine power densities and efficiencies.