Zeolite Oxygen Injection for Engine NOx Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in internal combustion engines are inefficient, rely heavily on catalytic converters, and do not effectively prevent nitrogen from entering the combustion chamber, leading to suboptimal performance and emissions control.
Innovation Solution
The Nitrogen Rejection System (NRS) uses a compressor to filter atmospheric air through zeolite tanks to separate nitrogen, storing concentrated oxygen for direct injection into the engine, allowing precise control and high-power production without nitrogen intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a three-way catalytic converter is used to reduce NOx emissions, then NOx reduction is achieved, but the system relies on precise air-fuel ratio control and cannot significantly reduce emissions during cold start
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes nitrogen from the air intake stream using a zeolite-based molecular sieve system, separating nitrogen from oxygen before the air enters the combustion chamber. This extraction approach eliminates nitrogen at the source rather than attempting to control or treat NOx emissions after formation, providing more reliable and consistent emissions reduction across all operating conditions including cold start.
2Ease of operation
If atmospheric air is used directly in the combustion chamber, then simple operation is maintained, but nitrogen enters the combustion chamber causing NOx formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary nitrogen removal from atmospheric air using a zeolite molecular sieve system before the air enters the combustion chamber. The zeolite sieve pre-separates nitrogen from oxygen in the intake air, so that when the air is compressed and delivered to the combustion chamber, nitrogen is already absent, preventing NOx formation without complicating the overall operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If zeolite filters are placed in the intake manifold, then nitrogen separation is achieved, but the system becomes complex and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts nitrogen from the air stream using a zeolite-based molecular sieve system that is integrated into the existing air intake architecture. The zeolite sieve is positioned to process air before compression, and the system uses the engine's own compression mechanism to facilitate nitrogen removal, avoiding the need for separate complex nitrogen separation equipment while maintaining effective nitrogen reduction.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If nitrogen is removed from air intake, then NOx reduction is achieved, but the system requires additional components for nitrogen separation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the air compressor serve multiple functions: it compresses the air for engine operation and simultaneously facilitates nitrogen removal from the air stream through interaction with the zeolite molecular sieve. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate nitrogen separation equipment, reducing the total number of components while achieving effective NOx reduction.
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 NRS achieves efficient NOx reduction and increased power output by eliminating nitrogen from the combustion process, enhancing engine efficiency and performance through direct oxygen injection.
Implementation Method 1
filter atmospheric air through zeolite tanks to separate nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
The Nitrogen Rejection System (NRS) is a component that attaches to an internal combustion engine system to prevent nitrogen from entering the combustion chamber-thus reduce or eliminate NOx emissions and increase power production. A compressor draws in filtered atmospheric air (atmospheric air that has passed through the intake filter) and compresses it into a tank containing zeolite. This results in a tank of compressed concentrated oxygen which is then injected into the engine. In comparison to prior art zeolite systems in the intake manifold, the NRS can: (1) more accurately control the amount of oxygen produced; (2) produce oxygen more efficiently; and (3) produce compressed output-allowing for very high-power production potential.