Ship Engine Fuel Supply Zone Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel for ships, the need to vary the supply pressure of LNG based on engine load is not efficiently addressed by existing systems, leading to frequent valve damage and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A system with a system operating zone and a supply operating zone, where LNG is pumped and gasified in the system operating zone, and then supplied to the engine in the supply operating zone. The system operating zone is set to a higher preset pressure than the supply operating zone and is controlled independently, allowing for variable fuel supply based on engine load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a valve is provided to change the degree of opening in the fuel supply line, then the supply pressure of fuel can be varied depending on engine load, but the valve is subject to frequent damage and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a system operating zone and a supply operating zone with independent pressure control. The system operating zone maintains high pressure for efficient LNG pumping and gasification, while the supply operating zone regulates pressure according to engine load requirements. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single valve to handle all pressure variations, reducing wear and damage frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
A recirculation line is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the system operating zone and the supply operating zone. This recirculation line allows excess fuel to be redirected back to the storage tank or pump inlet, enabling pressure regulation without relying solely on valve opening/closing actions, thereby reducing mechanical stress on valves.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is rapidly closed to block fuel supply, then fuel supply to the engine can be stopped, but abrupt pressure increase occurs in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation line is pre-configured as a pressure relief pathway. When the valve needs to close rapidly to stop fuel supply, the recirculation line already provides an alternative route for fuel to continue circulating or return to the storage tank, preventing abrupt pressure buildup in the system.
3Device complexity
If the system operates as a single integrated zone, then the structure is simpler, but the fuel supply cannot be stably varied depending on engine load
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply system is segmented into two independently controlled operating zones: the system operating zone for LNG pumping and gasification, and the supply operating zone for engine-specific pressure regulation. This segmentation enables each zone to be optimized for its specific function, allowing stable fuel supply variation according to engine load while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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 solution enables stable and variable fuel supply to the engine, reducing the frequency of valve damage and extending the lifespan of the valve, while preventing abrupt pressure increases.
Implementation Method 1
a high pressure pump pumping LNG
Implementation Method 2
a gasifier gasifying the LNG pumped by the high pressure pump
Implementation Method 3
a heat medium heater heating the heat medium at a downstream side of the heat medium pump
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Disclosed are a system and method for controlling fuel supply to an engine for ships. The system for controlling fuel supply to an engine for ships includes: a system operating zone in which LNG is pumped by a pump and gasified; and a supply operating zone receiving the pumped and gasified LNG from the system operating zone and supplying the LNG to the engine, wherein a preset pressure of the system operating zone is set to be higher than that of the supply operating zone.