Syngas Engine Control for Tar Breakdown and Load Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biomass gasification systems face high tar content issues leading to fouling and high purification costs, limiting the commercial utilization of syngas, and existing tar purification technologies are expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system comprising a syngas generator, cleanup engine, and power producing engine, controlled by a controller that adjusts air-to-fuel ratio, spark timing, and recirculation to manage tar breakdown and power output, using rich combustion to prevent autoignition and fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If expensive tar purification technologies are used, then tar content is reduced to acceptable levels, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of tar into a beneficial process by using hot, rich combustion to break down tar molecules into smaller, less harmful species. The tar that would normally cause fouling is instead utilized as fuel for the combustion process that performs the purification function, eliminating the need for separate expensive purification equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the power generation function with the tar purification function into a single integrated system. The combustion engine simultaneously produces power and breaks down tars through hot, rich combustion, eliminating the need for separate purification equipment and reducing overall system cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If hot combustion is used to break down tars, then tar content is reduced, but engine damage may occur due to autoignition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the combustion parameters by operating in a rich fuel-air mixture condition rather than stoichiometric or lean combustion. This parameter change reduces the temperature and prevents autoignition while maintaining sufficient heat to break down tar molecules, thus protecting the engine while achieving purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different combustion characteristics to different aspects of the process: the rich combustion provides controlled heat for tar breakdown without the excessive temperatures that cause autoignition and engine damage. The local combustion zone maintains optimal conditions for both purification and engine protection.
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
Reduces tar purification costs and enables efficient use of syngas for power generation or chemical synthesis by maintaining tar-laden gas temperature above the dew point, preventing fouling, and optimizing engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
The idea of using hot, rich combustion in an internal combustion engine as a cleanup system to break down tar into small molecule hydrocarbons was proposed
Implementation Method 2
The purpose of hot combustion (above the tar dew point) is to break down the tars while they are still in the gaseous phase
Implementation Method 3
a power producing engine in communication with an outlet of the cleanup engine to generate power
Data Source
AI summary
A biomass conversion system is disclosed. The system comprises a syngas generator, a cleanup engine and a power producing engine. The power producing engine is coupled to a load, such as an electrical generator. Methods of controlling the power producing engine in response to changes in load are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the air-to-fuel ratio, spark timing, and/or recirculation gases are varied to change the power of the power producing engine. In other embodiments, the power producing engine is throttled by limiting the amount of clean syngas that enters the engine.