The present invention relates to a manifold placed in the fuel line of a diesel or a gas-fed combustion engine which operates as an electromagnetic heat induction fuel line manifold to both ionize the fuel passing there through and to heat the fuel bu induction heating.
Over the years, diesel engines are preferred by manufacturers for their high power output and thermal efficiency as well as lower carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emissions compared to gasoline engines. They are common in buses, heavy-duty trucks and generators. However, the emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SOx), unregulated pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) carbonyls and halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from diesel engines are a major concern, since they are toxic to the human health. Several techniques to reduce diesel engine emissions have been suggested, including improving the mechanical design of the engine, but the diesel engine has been developed over the century and the technology has matured. Other techniques include altering the characteristics of the diesel fuels by lowering the lower sulfur content to decrease SOx and adding additives such as alcohols, water containing acetone and dimethyl ethers. Alternative fuels such as biodiesel and biodiesel-diesel blends have as also been considered biodiesel can reduce some of the pollutants like PM, CO, HC and POPs, because of its higher oxygen content, it results in a more complete combustion.
On the other hand, the cost of production, higher viscosity and lower heating value are the main shortcomings of using biodiesel in the diesel engine. Apart from changing the quality of diesel fuel, other methods include application of after-treatment devices such as such as diesel particulate filter (DPF), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR). However, these technologies are not without drawbacks. For example, the DPF may results in PCDD/Fs enhancement (see Heeb et al., 2007; Heeb et al., 2008; Chen et al., 2017), while the EGR may create more incomplete combustion, which lead to increased emission of HC and CO (see Maiboom et al., 2008). The use of SCR has the potential to emit secondary pollutant (see Koebel et al., 2000). Therefore, as a result of shortcomings experienced when using conventional emission control technologies, some researchers have focused their attention and efforts in application of magnetic field in diesel engines to achieve pollutant reduction as well as fuel saving.
Previously, few studies have evaluated the impact of magnetic field on the diesel engine and diesel fuel as well as gasoline engines in terms of pollutant emissions and energy performance (see Govindasamy and Dhandapani, 2007b; El Fatih and Saber, 2010; Faris et al., 2012; Jain and Deshmukh, 2012; Patel et al., 2014; Chaware and Basavaraj, 2015). It is worth noting that while other pollution control devices are placed at post-combustion zones, the devices using magnetic field are applied on the fuel line prior to combustion in most cases. See Patel et al. (2014). Patel has reported 8%, 27.7%, 30% and 9.72% reduction in fuel consumption, NOx, HC and CO2 respectively when using a 2000 gauss magnet on a single cylinder four stroke diesel engine.
Another study used a 5000 gauss magnet and achieved 12%, 22% and 7% reduction in fuel consumption, HC and CO emissions, respectively, but reported 19% and 7% increase in NOx and CO2 respectively. See Ugare et al. (2014). Similarly, a different study applied a range of 2000-9000 gauss magnets and achieved a 9-14% reduction in fuel consumption, which was proportional to magnetic strength, while the reduction of CO and HC were 30 and 40%, respectively, and CO2 increased by up to 10%. See Faris et al. (2012). In this study, a electro magnetic heat induction mahifuld fitted on the fuel line was used to evaluate the impact of magnetic field on the energy performance of a diesel engine in terms of the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake thermal efficiency (BTE). See Faris et al. (2012). Additionally, the effects of magnetic field on the emissions of PM, CO, HC, NOx as well as PAHs were also studied.
While most studies place permanent magnet on the fuel line, the inventive manifold uses a electromagnetic heat induction which alters the ionic condition of the fuel and heats the fuel by the application of inductive heat. The fuel passing though a magnetic field alters the hydrocarbon bonds of the fuel.
It is an object of the invention to alter hydrocarbon bonds of fuel passing through a magnetically induced heat field and a magnetic field.
It is another object of the invention to increase the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine by supplying the engine with treated fuel.
It is a further object of the invention to reduce pollution of an internal combustion engine by supplying the engine with treated fuel.
The present invention uses an electromagnetic heat induction manifold in the fuel line of a diesel or gas combustion engine and tests the operational characteristics of the engine during certain driving cycles. A diesel engine with a maximum speed of 2000 rpm was used with the powered manifold.
The manifold is disposed in the fuel line of a diesel or gas fueled engine. An induction controller or module controls the electrical power applied to the manifold. The electromagnetic heat induction manifold includes a single layer wrap or coil of copper tubing or wire over a steel tube through which flows the engine fuel. The single layer wrap coil encased by an aluminum tube. Thermal insulation first covers the steel tube, then covers the single layer of CU tubing or wire, then covers the Cu return line (resulting in three thermal insulating layers). Electrical power is supplied to the cooper wire coil by an induction heating control board module. A magnetic field causes induction heating of the steel and Cu and fuel flowing through the manifold, the field and induction heater region alters the fuel's characteristics in terms of forces that hold the hydrocarbons together.
In more detail, the electromagnetic heat induction manifold includes an elongated cylindrical steel tube, covered by insulation, and wrapped by a 15 turn Cu winding, which is further covered by thermal insulation. These components are disposed in an elongated cylindrical aluminum cover tube. The Cu coil is powered by an induction heating control board or module with a regulated output of 1000 to 1800 watts. Male and female threads on the steel tube attach the manifold to the fuel line.
The invention is also a method of treating a fuel flow supplied to a diesel engine to reduce emissions. The fuel flow is passed through a magnetic field and heating the fuel flow with induction heat such that when the diesel engine is at idle, 25% load and 50% load, wherein said magnetic field and heat reduces emissions as follows: particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon (HC) and CO2 emissions were reduced by about 20-33%, 5-11%, 30-65% and 3-4%, respectively.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, charts, graphs and tables.
Control circuit 25 measures and regulates the current and voltage supplied to the manifold 22, that is, mainly the power supplied to the inductor coil in the manifold. Control circuit 25 is generally an off-the-shelf controller having the following specifications. Power circuit specifications: 1 KW DC 12-40V ZVS Low Voltage High Frequency 1000 W High Voltage Generator with Coil; 50 A 1 KW ZVS Low Voltage Induction Heating Board High Frequency 1000 W High Voltage Generator. Further specifications include: (a) Input voltage: DC 12V to 40V; (b) Maximum input current: 50 A (short time); (c) Recommended input voltage range: DC 24V to 36V; (d) the power required for heating must be large enough for the coil in the manifold; (e) 12V power supply, current to more than 20 A; and (f) 24V power supply, 36V power supply current is greater than or equal to 30 A; when the current exceeds 50 A.
A ⅜ by 5 inch steel tube 1 (a cylindrical hollow steel tube, through which flows the fuel) is first wrapped with a titanium fiberglass heat wrap 4 (a first layer of insulation) to separate the 3 mm copper tubing or wire 3 from the steel tube 1. The copper tubing or wire 3 is wound fifteen times around the ⅜ steel tube 1. A second layer of titanium fiberglass heat wrap is wrapped around the cooper tube or wire. The return line of the copper tube is shown on the left side of the manifold in
A magnetic field is applied to fuel flowing through the manifold 22 and the field alters the fuel's iconic characteristics in terms of forces that hold the hydrocarbons together. Tests using the inventive manifold investigated the impact of incorporating a electromagnetic heat induction manifold in the fuel intake line in a diesel engine and, more specifically, the energy performance and pollutant emissions of the combustion engine.
A diesel engine was fitted with the electromagnetic heat induction manifold in the fuel intake line, with an ON/OFF switch. The diesel engine was operated at constant speed of 2000 rpm at idle condition, 25% and 50% loads, respectively. Additionally, two real diesel semi-trucks were outfitted with the electromagnetic heat induction manifold and their fuel consumption computed with the inventive fuel manifold and a second truck without the inventive manifold. The break specific fuel consumption and fuel consumption were decreased by an average of 7.5% and 30%, respectively, while the brake thermal efficiency was improved by approximately 7.5%.
The particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide emissions were reduced in the range of 21.9-33.3%, 5.4-11.3%, 29.4-64.7% and 2.68-4.18%, respectively. Both the total PAH concentrations (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)) and total BaPeq concentrations (benzo[tf]pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) associated with PAHs from gasoline-powered engines) were reduced by about 63%, 45% and 51%, respectively for idle condition, 25% and 50% loads, respectively.
Copper compositions in the cooper tubing maybe: copper alloys (C10200, C10300, C10800, C12000, C12200) that all conform to the chemical composition requirements of alloys containing a minimum of 99.9% Copper (Cu) and a maximum of 0.04% Phosphorous (P). The steel tube 1 can have a steel composition of 0.05%-0.25% carbon and up to 0.4% manganese.
Tests results show that application of electromagnetic heat induction manifold in the diesel engine reduces pollutants and provides fuel efficiency and energy saving.
The manifold was tested by diesel engine runs. The diesel engine was fitted with a electromagnetic heat induction manifold and between experiments, a electrical switch was used to switch the electromagnetic heat induction manifold ON or OFF. The tests on the diesel engine were carried at three (3) different loads at constant speed of 2000 rpm. Each test was run with the electromagnetic heat induction manifold ON and then OFF for an average of 20 minutes. Finally, the sampled fuel gas-volumes were normalized to the condition of 760 mm Hg and 273 K, and denoted as a “Nm3 Impact of Regulated Pollutants” which shows the emissions of the regulated pollutants from the diesel engine. The electromagnetic heat induction was turned ON and OFF for the at idle state and for two loads (25% and 50%). In the presence of an electromagnetic field, the PM, CO, HC and CO2 emissions were reduced by about 21.9-33.3%, 5.4-11.3%, 29.4-64.7% and 2.68-4.18%, respectively. For these pollutants, the highest emissions were registered during idle state due to low combustion efficiency and decreased with increasing engine loads.
On the other hand, the NOx emissions increased by about 1.24-13.4% when the electromagnetic heat induction was used. Additionally, the highest NOx emissions were at higher loads as a result of better combustion achieved at higher loads as the engine performance approaches optimal conditions.
The prior art study of Ugare et al. (2014) using a single cylinder four stroke diesel engine reported reductions in CO (11%) and HC (27%) and an increase in NOx by 19% when they applied 5000 gauss magnet and the Faris et al. (2012) study found out that CO and HC reduced by 30% and 40%, respectively. In the study by Habbo et al. (2011), the HC and CO decreased by 80% and 44% for 1000 gauss magnet and 90% and 58% for 2000 gauss magnet, respectively.
Contrary to these studies, the CO2 increased by 7% (Ugare et al., 2014) and 10% (Faris et al., 2012). The study by Patel et al. (2014) noted 30%, 27% and 9.72% reduction in HC, NOx and CO2, respectively, with respect to the magnetic field.
The reduction of PM, HC, CO and CO2 bby the use of to inventive manifold can be attributed to better combustion efficiency, which is induced by the electromagnetic field that converts para hydrogen into more reactive ortho configuration and weakens the bonds in fuel hydrocarbons making them easy to atomize, mix and react with oxygen in the air. On the other hand, the NOx emission increased with application of magnetic field in the fuel intake.
In the diesel engine, the major NOx source is the thermal NOx, which is controlled by combustion temperatures. Application of magnetic field improves combustion efficiency, which results in higher in cylinder temperatures, which encourage thermal-NOx formation. Impact of electromagnetic heat induction on Total PAH and Total BaPeq concentrations in the exhaust of diesel engine. No study has been located that focuses on the effect of electromagnetic field on organic pollutants such as PAH emissions from the diesel engine.
Upon application of magnetic field, the total PAH concentrations were reduced by 62%, 44% and 51% at idle condition, 25% and 50% loads, respectively. Similarly, the total BaPeq concentrations were reduced by 63%, 46% and 51%, respectively. These observations can be attributed to the fact that, when fuel is subjected to magnetic field, which realigns the para hydrogen to more reactive ortho states and weakens the intermolecular forces, allowing better atomization and opens up the hydrocarbons to be more receptive to oxygen resulting in better and more efficient combustion.
Efficient combustion means most of the PAHs in the fuels and PAH precursors are destroyed at high temperatures, leading to decreased PAH emissions. The results shown in
Engine Operations
Basic parameters are commonly used to characterize engine operations. These include the mechanical output parameters of work, torque and power, the input requirement of air, fuel and combustion; efficiencies; and emission measurement of engine exhaust. Volumetric efficiency is used as an overall measure of the effectiveness of a four stroke cycle engine and its intake and exhaust system as an air pumping device. It is calculated as in Eq. (1): Nu=Mu divided by PaV disp N/2. Where Pa=the inlet air density; Ma=the steady-state flow of air into the engine. Vdisp=displacement volume.
Engine Brake Torque is a good indicator or an engine's ability to work. It is defined as force acting at a moment distance and has units of N-m or lb-ft torque (r) is related to work by Eq. 2: 2rt=Wb=(bmep)Vd/n. Where Wb=brake work of one revolution; Vd=displacement volume; and n=number of revolutions per cycle. For a four-stroke cycle engine that takes two revolutions per cycle, Eq. 3 applies: r=(bmep)Vd/4n.
Brake Power is defined as the rate of work of the engine (Eq. 4). n=number of revolutions per cycle and N=engine speed, then brake is expressed as Eq. (4): W=WN/n; W=2nNr; W=(½n)(mep)ApUp; W=(mep)ApUp/4. Where W=work per cycle; Ap=piston face area of all pistons; and u=average piston speed.
Brake thermal efficiency (Nbth) is the ratio of energy in the brake power (bp), to the input fuel energy in appropriate units. Solving for thermal efficiency as per Eq. 5: Nbth=bp divided by Mass of fuels times calorific value of fuel.
Brake Mass Effective Pressure in the mean effective pressure is a good parameter for comparing engine with regard to desing or output because it is independent of both engine size and speed if brake work is used, brake mean effective pressure is obtained per Eq. 6: Bmep=Wb/Av; and bmep=2rnt/Vd. Where Av=vbdc−vtdc.
Brake Specific Fuel Consumption is when brake power gives the brake specific fuel consumption (Eq. 7): bsfc=m′/Wb. Where m′=rate of fuel flow into the engine.
These factors comprise brake power, brake thermal efficiency, brake engine torque, brake mean effective pressure and brake specific fuel consumption. The trend output for fuel temperature gives the reason for their circumstance.
Prior art references state that the higher fuel temperatures tend to produce higher in injection pressure. The highest injection pressure causes the lowest ignition delay, thus resulting in the increase of brake power. The shorter ignition delay causes the early start of combustion. A close resemblance occurred at low speed representing small discrepancy in output between the fuel temperatures. The maximum reduction brake power recorded was about 1.39% at the highest speed. It is well known that the heating value of the fuel affects the power of an engine. As the fuel temperature is decreased, the energy level also decreased. Some reduction will occur in the engine power if the lower calorific value of biodiesel used in diesel engine without modification.
Using the inventive electromagnetic heat induction manifold in the fuel intake, there was a reduction in BSFC and fuel consumption by an average of 7.5% and 30%, respectively while the BTE was improved by approximately 7.5%. In terms of pollutant control, the PM, CO, HC and CO2 emissions reduced by about 21.9-33.3%, 5.4-11.3%, 29.4-64.7% and 2.68-4.18%, respectively while NOx emissions were increased by about 1.24-13.4%. A magnetic field on PAH emissions shows that in an idle condition, at 25% and 50% loads, both the total PAH and total BaPeq concentrations in the exhaust of diesel engine can be reduced by about 63%, 45% and 51%, respectively. These results show that the use of the electromagnetic heat induction manifold in the diesel engine fuel line saves fuel and reduces pollutant emissions. The effect of fuel temperatures on at various engine speeds and their impact on the engine performance of a four stroke diesel engine is documented by these test results. Further, the results show: the highest fuel temperature causes the highest injection pressure thus resulting in shorter ignition delay. The shorter ignition delay attributed to the early start of combustion thus lead to the higher in-cylinder pressure. The increasing of fuel temperature representing the highest energy content thus resulted in lower BSFC, which is a desired result.
The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
This is a regular patent application based upon and claiming the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/822,694, filed Mar. 22, 2019, now pending, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62822694 | Mar 2019 | US |