Combustion System Development for the Ramgen Engine

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 885-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Kendrick ◽  
B. C. Chenevert ◽  
B. Trueblood ◽  
J. Tonouchi ◽  
S. P. Lawlor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bluff Body ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
System Development ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Successful Operation ◽  
Injection Methods ◽  
The Individual

The research and development of a unique combustion engine is presented. The engine converts the thrust from ramjet modules located on the rim of a disk into shaft torque, which in turn can be used for electrical power generation or mechanical drive applications. A test program was undertaken that included evaluation of the pre-prototype engine and incorporation of improvements to the thrust modules and supporting systems. Fuel mixing studies with vortex generators and bluff-body flame holders demonstrated the importance of increasing the shear-layer area and spreading angle to augment flame volume. Evaluation of flame-holding configurations (with variable fuel injection methods) concluded that the heat release zone, and therefore combustion efficiency, could be manipulated by judicious selection of bluff-body geometry, and is less influenced by fuel injection distribution. Finally, successful operation of novel fuel and cooling air delivery systems have resolved issues of gas (fuel and air) delivery to the individual rotor segments. The lessons learned from the pre-prototype engine are currently being applied to the development of a 2.8MW engine.

The Development of the Ramgen Engine Combustion System

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake C. Chenevert ◽  
Donald W. Kendrick ◽  
Ben Trueblood ◽  
Jon Tonouchi ◽  
Shawn P. Lawlor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bluff Body ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Successful Operation ◽  
Injection Methods ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Cooling Air

The research and development of a unique combustion engine is presented. The engine converts the thrust from ramjet modules located on the rim of a disk into shaft torque, which in turn can be used for electrical power generation or mechanical drive applications. A test program was undertaken that included evaluation of the pre-prototype engine and incorporation of improvements to the thrust modules and supporting systems. Fuel mixing studies with vortex generators and bluff body flame holders demonstrated the importance of increasing the shear-layer area and spreading angle to augment flame volume. Evaluation of flame-holding configurations (with variable fuel injection methods) concluded that the heat release zone, and therefore combustion efficiency, could be manipulated by judicious selection of bluff body geometry, and is less influenced by fuel injection distribution. Finally, successful operation of novel fuel and cooling air delivery systems have resolved issues of gas (fuel and air) delivery to the individual rotor segments. The lessons learned from the pre-prototype engine are currently being applied to the development of a 2.8MW engine.

Modeling Balance of Plant Components for a PEM Fuel Cell

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. Rocheleau ◽  
John F. Sagona
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
System Development ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Balance Of Plant ◽  
Air Supply ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Plant Components

To integrate a fuel cell into a vehicle platform many subsystems must be engineered to support the electrical power production of the fuel cell plant. These subsystems include the control of fuel and air supply as well as managing thermal and water throughput in the fuel cell stack. For the fuel cell plant to operate at optimum performance, one must examine the individual components that make up the “balance of plant” of the fuel cell system. Specifically, the power used to run the system must be scrutinized with the power produced by the system. Knowing how individual balance of plant components perform is the first step in design and optimization studies, as well as automated control system development. To address these issues, this paper examines how balance of plant components and subsystems affect parasitic power consumption, fuel cell power production, membrane hydration, hydrogen usage, and water production.

Powerful, Clean Yet Silent

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Alt ◽  
Hans-Dieter Sonntag ◽  
Stefan Heuer ◽  
Michael Schlitzer
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
System Development ◽  
Combustion Noise ◽  
Injection System ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Vehicle Interior ◽  
Subjective Impression ◽  
Simple Description

Internal combustion engine development nowadays is characterized by decrease of exhaust gas emissions and increase of specific power and torque. Combustion noise excitation and fuel consumption have to be decreased in parallel. All these goals can be met today due to the development of advanced combustion systems and the increased flexibility of fuel injection system and ECU. But hereby, combustion system development and vehicle application have become more complex in recent times. A precise and simple description of ‘combustion noise’ is not trivial in this context. The customer subjective impression of e.g. diesel knock intensity, at vehicle interior and exterior, is the relevant value for this. Combustion noise excitation today is described by using the in-cylinder pressure based FEV CSL. Full calibration NVH potential is explored hereby, while meeting the emission and fuel consumption targets. FEV CSL-CAL is the in-house developed tool for NVH related vehicle calibration. All important ECU parameters are optimized simultaneous under the customer-relevant driving conditions hereby. Additionally, sound quality objective parameters for judgment of subjective combustion noise impression — FEV SQO — are used to find the optimal calibration map, for steady state as well as for cold start and during acceleration. By all this, combustion noise is described well and can be optimized toward customer expectation.

Investigating anode off-gas under spark-ignition combustion for SOFC-ICE hybrid systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 146808742110169
Author(s):  
Zhongnan Ran ◽  
Jon Longtin ◽  
Dimitris Assanis
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Systems ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Fuel Conversion ◽  
Generation Plant ◽  
Complementary Role ◽  
Power Generation Plant

Solid oxide fuel cell – internal combustion engine (SOFC-ICE) hybrid systems are an attractive solution for electricity generation. The system can achieve up to 70% theoretical electric power conversion efficiency through energy cascading enabled by utilizing the anode off-gas from the SOFC as the fuel source for the ICE. Experimental investigations were conducted with a single cylinder Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine by altering fuel-air equivalence ratio (ϕ), and compression ratio (CR) to study the engine load, combustion characteristics, and emissions levels of dry SOFC anode off-gas consisting of 33.9% H2, 15.6% CO, and 50.5% CO2. The combustion efficiency of the anode off-gas was directly evaluated by measuring the engine-out CO emissions. The highest net-indicated fuel conversion efficiency of 31.3% occurred at ϕ  = 0.90 and CR = 13:1. These results demonstrate that the anode off-gas can be successfully oxidized using a spark ignition combustion mode. The fuel conversion efficiency of the anode tail gas is expected to further increase in a more modern engine architecture that can achieve increased burn rates in comparison to the CFR engine. NOx emissions from the combustion of anode off-gas were minimal as the cylinder peak temperatures never exceeded 1800 K. This experimental study ultimately demonstrates the viability of an ICE to operate using an anode off-gas, thus creating a complementary role for an ICE to be paired with a SOFC in a hybrid power generation plant.

scholarly journals A comprehensive review of the influences of nanoparticles as a fuel additive in an internal combustion engine (ICE)

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1326-1349
Author(s):  
Siti Nurul Akmal Yusof ◽  
Nor Azwadi Che Sidik ◽  
Yutaka Asako ◽  
Wan Mohd. Arif Aziz Japar ◽  
Saiful Bahri Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Fuel Properties ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Biodiesel Fuel ◽  
Fuel Additive ◽  
Engine Combustion ◽  
Research Findings

Abstract Nanofluid is a colloidal mixture consisting of nano-sized particles dispersed in a liquid medium. It improves heat transfer properties and promotes high energy efficiency in a wide spectrum of engineering applications. In recent years, particularly in the automotive industry, the addition of nanofluid in diesel/biodiesel as an additive for ICE has become an attractive approach to promote enhanced combustion efficiency and emission reduction due to their superior thermophysical properties. Many researchers have previously demonstrated that the addition of nanoparticles in diesel/biodiesel fuel improved the overall engine combustion characteristics. As a whole, this study aims to summarize the recent research findings related to the effect of nanoparticles on the fuel properties and engine combustion efficiency. Furthermore, different types of additive blended with varying fuel properties are also compared and discussed. Lastly, the advantages and prospects of using nanofluid as an additive fuel are summarized for future research opportunities.

scholarly journals Preliminary Analysis of a New Power Train Concept for a City Hybrid Vehicle

Designs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Roberto Capata
Keyword(s):  
Gate Valve ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Power Train ◽  
Hybrid Propulsion ◽  
Performance Point ◽  
Combustible Gases ◽  
Mechanical Decoupling

This research aims to test the feasibility of a prototype of a newly designed thermal engine for a hybrid propulsion vehicle. This study consists of the implementation of an innovative supercharger for city car internal combustion engine ICE (900 cc). The preliminary proposal presented here is to mechanically disconnect the compressor/turbine device, supporting the rotation of the compressor with a dedicated electric motor and connecting a turbine to a generator. Mechanical decoupling will allow both machines to be designed for operating closer to their maximum performance point, for most of the expected real field of operation. Specifically, the turbine is likely to have a lower rotation speed than the original group and will, therefore, be slightly larger. The advantage is that, while in the current supercharger groups the surplus at high regimes is discharged through the waste-gate valve without expanding in a turbine, in the configuration proposed, all the energy of the combustible gases is used by the turbine to generate electrical power that can be used where required. Once the motorization of the vehicle (999 cc) has been fixed, the two turbomachines will have to be studied and designed, looking where possible, for commercial components. Finally, a computational fluid dynamic CFD will be needed to verify the validity of the choice, followed by careful experimentation campaigns.

Fuel Efficiency – Challenges and Innovations in Emulsified Fuel Technology

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Ng ◽  
Kaisa Honkanen
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Engines ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Secondary Atomization ◽  
Emulsified Fuel ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Marine Diesel ◽  
Initial Fuel ◽  
Fuel Technology

Emulsified fuel technology has been developed since the early 1980’s to the improve combustion efficiency of marine diesel engines by creating a secondary atomization effect after the initial fuel injection. The main challenge is to measure the improved sfoc of ships accurately and reliably. This paper presents a proposed method to measure the sfoc accurately and reliably to the order of 1%. Electronic governor also poses new challenge to measuring the sfoc of ships burning emulsified fuel. Meanwhile, fuel types supplied to ship owners are of increased varying properties although still complying to ISO8217 standard. This paper describes the innovations in emulsified fuel technology that were developed to meet these challenges.

scholarly journals Dynamic Analysis of Electrical Power Grid Delivery: Using Prime Mover Engines to Balance Dynamic Wind Turbine Output

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana K. Grauer ◽  
Michael E. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Electrical Transmission ◽  
Reciprocating Engine ◽  
Electrical Generation

This paper presents an investigation into integrated wind + combustion engine high penetration electrical generation systems. Renewable generation systems are now a reality of electrical transmission. Unfortunately, many of these renewable energy supplies are stochastic and highly dynamic. Conversely, the existing national grid has been designed for steady state operation. The research team has developed an algorithm to investigate the feasibility and relative capability of a reciprocating internal combustion engine to directly integrate with wind generation in a tightly coupled Hybrid Energy System. Utilizing the Idaho National Laboratory developed Phoenix Model Integration Platform, the research team has coupled demand data with wind turbine generation data and the Aspen Custom Modeler reciprocating engine electrical generator model to investigate the capability of reciprocating engine electrical generation to balance stochastic renewable energy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document