Solvent-Based Adsorbent Regeneration for Onboard Fuel Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular fuel systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently separating onboard fuel into octane-rich and cetane-rich components, leading to increased size, weight, and complexity, particularly in achieving a heat balance during fuel enrichment, and are prone to operator errors due to the need for multiple tanks and complex distillation or membrane-based processes.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system utilizing adsorption-based separation with adsorbent-based reaction chambers and solvent desorption to split onboard fuel into octane-rich and cetane-rich streams, employing affinity-based and size-selective adsorbents, and a solvent regeneration unit to reuse solvents, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity and heat requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If distillation or membrane-based permeation-evaporation activities are used for onboard fuel separation, then fuel enrichment is achieved, but size, weight and overall complexity of the onboard fuel-reforming infrastructure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel enrichment function from complex distillation or membrane-based systems and implements it through a simplified adsorption-based separation unit. This unit uses adsorbent material to selectively adsorb cetane-rich components from the fuel, separating them from octane-rich components without requiring complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from thermal distillation or membrane permeation to adsorption-based separation. This parameter change fundamentally simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex heating, cooling, or high-pressure membrane systems, achieving fuel separation through selective adsorption at near-ambient conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple onboard storage tanks and associated delivery conduits are used for pre-separated octane-enriched or cetane-enriched portions, then fuel separation is achieved, but the time and complexity associated with vehicle refueling activity increase and operator error becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel storage and fuel separation functions into a single integrated system. Instead of requiring separate storage tanks for pre-separated fuel components, the system uses a single adsorption-based separation unit that can process and separate fuel components on-demand within the existing fuel delivery infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorption-based separation unit serves multiple functions: it separates cetane-rich components from octane-rich components, provides on-demand fuel enrichment, and integrates with the existing single fuel tank system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized storage tanks and complex refueling procedures.
3Device complexity
If adsorbent-based reaction chambers with solvent desorption are used for fuel separation, then infrastructure complexity and heat requirements are reduced, but additional processing steps are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solvent as an intermediary substance to facilitate the desorption of adsorbed fuel components. The solvent interacts with the adsorbent material, selectively desorbing cetane-rich components while leaving octane-rich components on the adsorbent. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient separation without requiring complex thermal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/thermal separation systems (distillation, membrane permeation) with a chemical-based adsorption-desorption system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical infrastructure and high heat requirements, achieving fuel separation through chemical interactions between the solvent, adsorbent, and fuel components.
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 system effectively separates fuel components, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling equipment and minimizing complexity, while enabling efficient operation with lower emissions and improved engine efficiency by providing customizable fuel injection strategies for various engine modes.
Implementation Method 1
The separation unit includes one or more adsorbent-based reaction chambers that can selectively receive and separate at least a portion of the onboard fuel into an adsorbate and a remainder
Implementation Method 2
one or more solvents contained within the solvent supply may be brought into contact with the adsorbate that forms in the reaction chambers such that the solvent acts to convert at least a portion of the adsorbate into a desorbate
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular propulsion system, a vehicular fuel system and a method of producing fuel for an internal combustion engine. A separation unit that makes up a part of the fuel system includes one or more adsorbent-based reaction chambers to selectively receive and separate at least a portion of onboard fuel into octane-enhanced and cetane-enhanced components. Regeneration of an adsorbate takes place through interaction with a solvent, while subsequent separation allows the solvent to be reused. A controller may be used to determine a particular operational condition of the internal combustion engine such that the onboard fuel can be sent to one or more combustion chambers within the internal combustion engine without first passing through the separation unit, or instead to the separation unit in situations where the internal combustion engine may require an octane-rich or cetane-rich mixture.