Stratified Nitrogen Injection in Engine Cylinders for Lower NOx
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines emit significant amounts of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and existing methods to reduce these emissions often compromise engine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Injecting pure nitrogen into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during the compression stroke to create a stratified gas environment, where nitrogen is concentrated in specific regions, thereby reducing NOx emissions while maintaining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If nitrogen is injected into the combustion chamber to reduce NOx emissions, then NOx emissions are reduced, but engine efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a stratified nitrogen distribution where nitrogen concentration varies spatially within the combustion chamber. High nitrogen concentration zones are positioned in specific regions to reduce NOx formation, while other regions maintain lower nitrogen concentrations to preserve combustion efficiency and power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the combustion chamber into different regions with distinct nitrogen concentrations. By dividing the combustion space and applying different nitrogen enrichment levels to different segments, the system achieves simultaneous NOx reduction in high-nitrogen zones and efficiency maintenance in low-nitrogen zones.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If pure nitrogen is injected into the combustion chamber, then NOx emissions are reduced, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of nitrogen concentration from uniform to stratified distribution. By controlling the spatial variation of nitrogen concentration rather than applying uniform enrichment, the system achieves effective NOx reduction with reduced total nitrogen injection, thereby minimizing system weight.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If nitrogen is injected into the combustion chamber, then NOx emissions are reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting nitrogen injection to specific regions within the combustion chamber where it is most effective for NOx reduction. This localized approach minimizes the total amount of nitrogen required, thereby reducing the power consumption associated with nitrogen generation and injection systems.
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 stratified nitrogen environment effectively reduces NOx emissions by up to 50% compared to traditional methods, while requiring less nitrogen and reducing system power consumption and weight.
Implementation Method 1
creating a stratified gas environment within the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
Injecting pure nitrogen into the combustion chamber... to reduce NOx emissions
Implementation Method 3
The fuel in the stratified gas environment is ignited and exhaust emissions are released from combustion of the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A method for injecting nitrogen into an internal combustion engine cylinder includes moving a piston back and forth in a cylinder and injecting pure nitrogen into a combustion chamber during the compression stroke. The method includes injecting the fuel and nitrogen into different regions to create a stratified gas environment, igniting the fuel, and releasing exhaust emissions. An engine system for injecting nitrogen into an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, a first intake line, one or more nitrogen injectors, and a fuel injector. An engine system for injecting nitrogen into an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, an intake line, and a multi-nozzle injector with a fuel nozzle and a nitrogen nozzle.