Abstract:
A method of operating an engine, comprising of performing homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion during a first operating condition, and performing spark ignition combustion during a second operating condition, where an amount of directly injected alcohol in at least one of said homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion and said spark ignition combustion is varied in response to at least an operating parameter.
Abstract:
Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
Abstract:
The system includes a source of solid, liquid or sludge waste and a source of waste gas. A waste conversion device receives the solid, liquid or sludge waste and converts it into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine receives as fuel the hydrogen-rich gas and the waste gas and burns them to produce mechanical work. A generator is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine to generate electricity. Some of the generated electricity may be used to power the waste conversion device. The system allows for high-efficiency, lean-burn operation while reducing the amount of waste converted to hydrogen-rich gas.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for high efficiency generation of electricity and low oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions are provided. The electricity is generated from combustion of hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion units using ultra lean fuel to air ratios in the range of 0.4-0.7 relative to stoichiometric operation in internal combustion engine-generators or ultra lean operation in gas turbines to ensure minimal production of pollutants such as NO.sub.x. The ultra lean operation also increases the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. High compression ratios (r=12 to 15) can also be employed to further increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Supplemental fuel, such as natural gas or diesel oil, may be added directly to the internal combustion engine-generator or gas turbine for combustion with the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit. In addition, supplemental fuel may be reformed into a hydrogen-rich gas in a plasma fuel converter and then introduced into the internal combustion engine-generator or a gas turbine for combustion along with supplemental fuel and the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit. The preferred embodiment of the waste conversion unit is a fully integrated tunable arc plasma-joule heated melter with a common molten pool and power supply circuits which can be operated simultaneously without detrimental interaction with one another. In this embodiment, the joule heated melter is capable of maintaining the material in a molten state with sufficient electrical conductivity to allow rapid restart of a transferred arc plasma.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another. The apparatus may additionally be employed with reduced or without further use of the gases generated by the conversion process. The apparatus may be employed as a self-powered or net electricity producing unit where use of an auxiliary fuel provides the required level of electricity production.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for high efficiency generation of electricity and low oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) emissions are provided. The electricity is generated from combustion of hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion units using ultra lean fuel to air ratios in the range of 0.4-0.7 relative to stoichiometric operation in internal combustion engine-generators or ultra lean operation in gas turbines to ensure minimal production of pollutants such as NO.sub.x. The ultra lean operation also increases the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. High compression ratios (r=12 to 15) can also be employed to further increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Supplemental fuel, such as natural gas or diesel oil, may be added directly to the internal combustion engine-generator or gas turbine for combustion with the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit. In addition, supplemental fuel may be reformed into a hydrogen-rich gas in a plasma fuel converter and then introduced into the internal combustion engine-generator or a gas turbine for combustion along with supplemental fuel and the hydrogen-rich gases produced in waste conversion unit. The preferred embodiment of the waste conversion unit is a fully integrated tunable arc plasma-joule heated melter with a common molten pool and power supply circuits which can be operated simultaneously without detrimental interaction with one another. In this embodiment, the joule heated melter is capable of maintaining the material in a molten state with sufficient electrical conductivity to allow rapid restart of a transferred arc plasma.
Abstract:
Rotary power system. The system includes a source of hydrocarbon fuel which is supplied to a plasmatron which reforms the fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine is connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron. The engine powers an electrical generator and the generated electricity is connected to the plasmatron. In one embodiment, the engine also receives hydrocarbon fuel along with the hydrogen rich gas. The combination of plasmatron and internal combustion engine results in lowered exhaust emissions.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the pyrolytic destruction or synthesis of gases via a highly tunable combination of radio frequency heating and electron beam irradiation is disclosed. The method is appropriate for destroying toxic gases emanating from hazardous wastes and for synthesizing new molecules from the molecules of a gas. The method is also appropriate for creating scavenger gases and hot gases with large enthalpy for use in sterilization procedures, for example. Embodiments are disclosed employing inductive or direct waveguide/cavity coupling of radio frequency power to the gas. In embodiments of the invention, magnetic fields are used to modify the paths of the electrons in the beam to facilitate tuning and improve the energy efficiency of the system. In a two-stage system, solid and/or liquid wastes are first heated in order to vaporize the toxic materials. Then, the gases produced in the first stage are destroyed by the combination of radio frequency heating and electron beam irradiation of the invention.
Abstract:
The structures for confining or guiding high frequency electromagnetic radiation have surfaces facing the radiation constructed of high temperature superconducting materials, that is, materials having critical temperatures greater than approximately 35.degree. K. The use of high temperature superconductors removes the constraint of the relatively low energy gaps of conventional, low temperature superconductors which precluded their use at higher frequencies. The high temperature superconductors also provide larger thermal margins and more effective cooling. Devices which will benefit from the structures of the invention include microwave cavities, millimeter-wave/far infrared cavities, gyrotron cavities, mode converters, accelerators and free electron lasers, and waveguides.
Abstract:
Modular electricity generation systems that use large numbers of low-cost Multiplexed Automotive Engines (MAE) to provide dispatchable electricity for decarbonized grid reliability or for non-grid backup power are disclosed. The engines may be disposed in power modules that are readily transportable containers that house several engine-generator units and typically produce 1 to 2 MW of maximum power. The MAE-based generation approach could provide greater flexibility in fuel use; power rating; transportability and location, along with faster startup time and very low air pollution. MAE electricity generation systems can be fueled with natural gas, low-carbon hydrogen and/or various liquids that may or may not be produced by grid electricity. The MAE generation systems can be employed in an energy storage process that uses surplus grid generated electricity from wind or solar energy to produce a fuel that is stored and later converted back into electricity when needed.