EP3303805A1

EP3303805A1 - Method for operating an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: EP3303805A1
Application number: EP16736758.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ettore Musu; Friedrich Gruber; Nikolaus Spyra; Georg Tinschmann
Original assignee: GE Jenbacher GmbH and Co OHG
Current assignee: Innio Jenbacher GmbH and Co OG
Priority date: 2015-05-29
Filing date: 2016-05-04
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Also published as: US20180163612A1; AT517247B1; WO2016191775A1; AT517247A1; CA2987412A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for operating an internal combustion engine (1), wherein an amount of exhaust gas that remains in combustion chambers (14) of the internal combustion engine (1) is varied, the amount of remaining exhaust gas being varied by controlling or adjusting an exhaust gas counterpressure (p_Auslass) which is applied to discharge valves (16) of the combustion chambers (14) by a turbo compound system (5) located in an exhaust pipe (9) of the internal combustion engine (1).

Description

Method for operating an internal combustion engine

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a dual-fuel internal combustion engine, which is operated according to the Premixed Charge Compression Ignition (PCCI) combustion method, having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine having the features of the preamble of claim 6.

Dual-fuel internal combustion engines are internal combustion engines that typically operate in two modes of operation. A distinction is made between a mode of operation with primarily liquid fuel supply ("liquid operation" for short, "diesel operation" in the case of using diesel as liquid fuel) and a mode of operation with primarily gaseous fuel supply, in which the liquid fuel serves as pilot fuel for starting combustion (briefly referred to as "pilot operation").

In the design of internal combustion engines there is a conflict of interest between the reduction of nitrogen oxides and the reduction of particulate emissions, in gas engines also the reduction of THC (total hydrocarbons - total unburned hydrocarbons).

The PCCI (Premixed Charge Compression Ignition) combustion process is a promising approach to achieving high-efficiency and low-emission combustion. In the PCCI combustion process, a lean mixture of air and an ignitable fuel (eg, gas) is ignited by injecting a small amount of ignitable fuel (eg, diesel). An internal combustion engine operated according to the PCCI method is classified as a special variant of a dual-fuel internal combustion engine.

Such a dual-fuel internal combustion engine thus has a PCCI operating mode. If it is operated according to the PCCI combustion process, this is referred to as the PCCI operating mode. Incineration in the PCCI combustion process runs at lower local temperatures than conventional combustion in diesel or gas engines and is further characterized by the avoidance of locally very rich or lean areas, so that the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOX), soot and THC emissions significantly is reduced.

A determining parameter for the control of combustion is the amount and temperature of the recirculated or retained exhaust gas within the cylinder. It is possible to differentiate between internal and external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

In external exhaust gas recirculation exhaust gas is removed from the exhaust system and fed via a line back to the intake. The external exhaust gas recirculation allows a simple and effective cooling of the exhaust gas via heat exchangers.

With the low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (LP EGR), the removal takes place after the turbocharger's turbine, the intake in the intake tract before the compressor of the turbocharger.

In the high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (HP-EGR) takes place before the turbine of the turbocharger, the intake in the intake after the compressor of the turbocharger.

In the internal exhaust gas recirculation, the combustion gases are either retained in the cylinder or briefly pushed into the inlet channel and sucked back. Also possible is the temporary opening of the exhaust valve (s) during the intake stroke, so that exhaust gas is sucked back into the cylinder.

As a rule, the intake and exhaust valve opening times must be modified for the internal exhaust gas recirculation and for setting the desired residual gas content. The retention of exhaust gas (internal EGR) is an integral part of the PCCI combustion process. The internal EGR and the external HD EGR have in common that the amount of residual gas or recirculated exhaust gas is influenced by the pressure level upstream of the turbine and also upstream of the cylinder. Raising the pressure level upstream of an exhaust gas turbine (ie the exhaust gas back pressure) as well as modified valve opening times, in particular in the four-stroke process, inherently losses in Ausschiebetakt and thus reduces the efficiency. The object of the invention is to provide a control method or an internal combustion engine by which or by which the disadvantages of the prior art are avoided.

The objects are achieved by a method for operating an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 1 and an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 6.

Characterized in that the variation of the amount of the remaining exhaust gas by controlling or regulating one of an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine ine arranged turbo-compound system exerted, applied to exhaust valves of the combustion chambers exhaust backpressure, the exhaust gas recirculation rate can be controlled or controlled elegantly.

If this publication refers to an "exhaust gas recirculation rate", this also includes exhaust gas retention with internal EGR.

The invention is primarily aimed at influencing the internal EGR rate.

As explained above, an internal exhaust gas recirculation takes place by retaining or re-aspirating exhaust gases from the intake or exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine. Controlling the exhaust backpressure directly affects the internal EGR rate, with increased exhaust back pressure resulting in an increased internal EGR rate. Conversely, reduced exhaust back pressure causes a reduced EGR rate. It is preferably provided that the variation of the exhaust gas back pressure exerted by the turbo-compound system takes place by controlling or regulating a braking torque of a generator of the turbo-compound system.

The controlling or regulating the braking torque of the generator can be done for example by influencing the excitation current. It should be understood that an increase in the braking torque exerted by the generator also equals an increase in the power available from the generator.

Increasing the braking torque of the turbo-compound system increases the exhaust back pressure exerted by the turbo-compound system, thereby increasing the amount of recirculated / retained exhaust gas. A particular advantage of the solution is that the increase in the exhaust backpressure means only a small loss of energy, since the turbo compound system generates more electrical power with increased exhaust gas back pressure.

It can be provided that, in the case of a parallel arrangement of the turbo-compound system to a turbocharger, preferably in a PCCI mode, the exhaust counterpressure is additionally controlled or regulated by actuation of a valve arranged downstream of the turbocharger in the exhaust pipe.

Preferably, the internal combustion engine is operated in the PCCI operating mode.

It should be noted that the internal exhaust gas recirculation in the PCCI operating mode is particularly relevant. The retention of exhaust gas by internal EGR ("hot EGR") supports this combustion process, and an external EGR is particularly relevant to the diesel operation mode.

By means of the present invention, an internal combustion engine can be operated particularly favorably in both operating modes (PCCI operating mode and diesel operation). As is known per se, in addition to the measures described above, variable valve timing for the intake and / or exhaust valves of the combustion chambers can also be used to control the internal EGR.

The internal combustion engine is preferably designed as a stationary gas engine, particularly preferably as part of a gene set for decentralized power generation. Also conceivable are applications in the marine and locomotive sector.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. It shows

1 shows the pV diagram of a power stroke of a 4-stroke

Internal combustion engine without internal exhaust gas recirculation and with a

High efficiency turbocharger

2 shows the pV diagram of a power stroke of a 4-stroke internal combustion engine with internal EGR and increased pressure level in front of the exhaust gas turbine (PCCI operating mode),

3 shows the pV diagram of a power stroke of a 2-stroke

Internal combustion engine with internal EGR and elevated pressure level in front of the exhaust gas turbine (PCCI operating mode),

4 shows an arrangement of an internal combustion engine with a turbo

Compound system in a first embodiment,

5 shows an arrangement of an internal combustion engine with a turbo

Compound system

in a further embodiment,

6 shows an arrangement of internal combustion engine and a turbo

Compound system

according to a further embodiment and

Fig. 7 shows an arrangement of an internal combustion engine with two-stage

Charging and a turbo-compound system according to another embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows the power stroke of a 4-stroke internal combustion engine without internal exhaust gas recirculation and with a turbocharger with high efficiency in the pV diagram. The cylinder pressure {"in cylinder pressure") is plotted on the Y-axis, on the X-axis the volume. An internal combustion engine with the characteristic shown here has a positive purging gradient, ie that the pressure level upstream of the cylinder pEiniass is greater than the pressure level downstream of the cylinder, PA _US A _S , ie the exhaust back pressure, which prevails after the exhaust valves and upstream of the exhaust gas turbine. Due to the positive flushing gradient, the loop generated by the push-out and the suction stroke (the so-called low-pressure cycle) also contributes to power generation, as is well known.

2 shows the illustration of a power stroke of an internal combustion engine which is operated in PCCI mode in the pV diagram analogous to the representation of FIG. 1. It can be seen that here the pressure level upstream of the cylinder is lower than the exhaust back pressure p _Au siass pitch, ie the internal combustion engine has a negative purging gradient. This requires work to be done for the intake and exhaust cycle. If one superimposes the representations of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 on top of one another, one recognizes that, compared to the normal operating mode of FIG. 1, on the one hand the power gained therein is lost, and additionally the power shown in FIG. Intake stroke must be provided.

FIG. 3 shows the pV diagram of a working cycle of a 2-stroke internal combustion engine with internal EGR and increased pressure level upstream of the exhaust gas turbine (PCCI operating mode). It can be seen immediately the inherent advantages of the 2-stroke process with respect to the work to be applied in the intake and Ausschiebezyklus. A charge cycle as in the 4-stroke is missing, so the charge cycle is much smaller.

The illustrations in Figures 1 to 3 are in themselves textbook knowledge and serve to better understand the motivation of the present invention, namely to reduce the losses in the intake or Ausschiebetakt, also called low-pressure cycle. The invention relates equally to 2-stroke as 4-stroke internal combustion engines.

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement according to a first embodiment. The arrangement shows an internal combustion engine 1, a turbocharger 2 and a turbo-compound system 5 in an arrangement parallel to the turbocharger 2. The internal combustion engine 1 generally has a plurality of combustion chambers 14, of which only one is shown for the sake of clarity.

The combustion chambers 14 are connected to the supply line 11 via at least one inlet valve 15 and to the exhaust line 9 via at least one outlet valve 16.

Turbo-compound systems are basically known from the prior art. This exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are relaxed in a power turbine and the enthalpy of the exhaust gas into mechanical or when coupling the power turbine with a generator converted into electrical energy.

The turbocharger 2 consists of the exhaust gas turbine 3 and the coupled via a shaft with the exhaust gas turbine 3 compressor 4. On the supply line 1 1 incoming air or incoming mixture is compressed by the compressor 4 and on the

Heat exchanger 13 of the internal combustion engine 1 is supplied. The exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine 1 are passed to the exhaust gas turbine 3, where they are relaxed and flow with reduced pressure. Shown further is a high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 6, which is arranged upstream of the exhaust gas turbine 3. From the high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 6, exhaust gas can be branched off from the exhaust gas line 9 in order to be supplied to the internal combustion engine 1 on the inlet side. The high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 6 consists of a controllable valve and a heat exchanger, so that the recirculated exhaust gases can be supplied to the inlet of the internal combustion engine 1 cooled.

Further, a second exhaust gas recirculation, the optional low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 7 is arranged. This is located downstream of the exhaust gas turbine 3 and can remove the exhaust gas present there at a lower pressure level than upstream of the exhaust gas turbine 3 and feed it to the mixture or air supply line upstream of the compressor 4 , In order to influence the amount of exhaust gas recirculated via the low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 7 into the supply line 11, two shut-off valves are provided. Valve 17 connects the outlet of the exhaust gas turbine 3 with the exit of the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe 9 (such as a chimney or a A further valve is provided in the connection to the supply line 1 1, whereby the amount of recirculated via the low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 7 exhaust gas can be regulated in the interaction of the valve positions.

The latter valve also allows complete shut-off of the flow path to the supply line 1 1 and can be provided in all embodiments.

The same applies mutatis mutandis to high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 6. The dotted boxes around internal combustion engine 1, turbocharger 2, high pressure exhaust gas recirculation 6 and low pressure exhaust gas recirculation 7 express that these are functional units.

Parallel to the exhaust gas turbine 3, an electric turbo-compound system 5 is arranged. Upstream of the turbo-compound system 5 is the valve 1 0. The turbo-compound system 5, consisting of a turbine 1 2 and a generator G, is controlled by the control unit 8. The control unit 8 can now control the electric turbo-compound system 5 (hereinafter referred to as "control") so that the turbo-compound system 5 is operated, for example, at a constant rotational speed via the generator G. It would also be conceivable to adjust the flow of the turbine 1 2.

Furthermore, the pressure level prevailing immediately before the turbine of the turbo-compound system 5 or the exhaust gas mass flow flowing through the turbine 1 2 of the turbo-compound system 5 can be controlled via the control / regulating device 8 by means of engagement with the valve 10.

In this way, the exhaust back pressure PA _US A _S exerted by the turbo-compound system 5 can be controlled or regulated. By controlling or regulating the exhaust back pressure pAusiass, the internal EGR rate is directly affected, with increased exhaust back pressure resulting in an increased internal EGR rate. Conversely, reduced exhaust back pressure causes a reduced EGR rate. In this way, the EGR rate can be controlled elegantly by means of turbo-compound system 5. If, for example, the valve 10 is opened, not all of the exhaust gas coming from the internal combustion engine 1 flows to the exhaust gas turbine 3, but also a subset thereof to the turbo-compound system 5. By varying the subset of exhaust gas flowing through the turbo-compound system 5 the pressure level in front of the exhaust gas turbine 3 can be influenced. Thus, increasing the amount of exhaust gas flowing through the turbo-compound system 5 causes lowering of the pressure level in front of the exhaust turbine 3.

In practice, the turbo-compound 5 and the turbocharger 3 will be tuned so that there is a control reserve in both directions, i. in the direction of an increase of the exhaust gas mass flow flowing through the turbo-compound system 5 and in the direction of a reduction of the same. About the braking torque of the generator G and valve 10, the back pressure of the turbo-compound system 5 can be controlled or regulated.

By means of the valve 10, which can be regulated in a variant, the turbo-compound system 5 can be regulated to a constant speed. The controllable valve 10 thus allows the operation of the electric turbo-compound system 5 at a constant speed and the regulation of the pressure in front of the exhaust gas turbine third

In a variant of the embodiment, the valve 10 upstream of the turbo compound 5 is designed as a non-controllable valve. In the variant with the valve 10 designed, for example, as a simple flap valve, the turbo-compound 5 has a variable speed during operation.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the arrangement of an internal combustion engine with turbo-compound for implementing the method according to the invention. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the turbo-compound system 5 and the turbocharger 2 are combined:

the turbine 12 of the turbo-compound system 5 replaces the exhaust gas turbine 3 of the turbocharger 2. The turbine 12 together with the coupled generator G, the turbo-compound system 5; At the same time, the turbine 12 is coupled to the compressor 4 via a shaft and forms the turbocharger 2 together with the compressor 4.

In the present embodiment, therefore, the turbo-compound system 5 is coupled on the one hand via a shaft to the compressor 4 and on the other hand with the generator G. Also shown is the high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation 6 and an optional low-pressure exhaust system 7. To control this applies to Figure 4 said.

According to this embodiment, the exhaust gas back pressure (and thus the EGR rate) exerted by the turbo-compound system 5 is varied by varying the resistance acting on the turbo-compound system 5 from the generator G. If a high braking torque from the generator G acts on the turbo-compound system 5, a higher pressure level prevails in the exhaust gas line 9 than at a lower applied braking torque by the generator G.

Thus, it is also possible with the arrangement of Fig. 5, the pressure level in the exhaust pipe 9 and thus control the exhaust gas recirculation rate.

5, the pressure level in the exhaust pipe 9 and thus the exhaust gas recirculation rate vary in the embodiment of FIG. 5, when the generator G is designed as a controllable generator. This means that, for example, by controlling the exciter current, the braking torque exerted by the generator G can be varied. FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment in which the turbo-compound system 5 is arranged in series with the exhaust gas turbine 3 downstream of the exhaust gas turbine 3. In this case, an actuation of the turbo-compound system 5 acts on the pressure level between the exhaust turbine 3 and turbo-compound system 5 but also to the pressure level upstream of the exhaust turbine 3 and thus changes the exhaust back pressure pAusiass and thus the level of internal EGR.

The turbo-compound system 5 has a controllable bypass. With a controllable valve, the bypass can be fully opened as needed, completely close or take intermediate positions. In the fully open position of the bypass, the exhaust gas will largely bypass the turbo-compound system 5. The bypass creates a possibility to react quickly especially during transient operation (ie during rapid load fluctuations).

For example, as load demand increases, the bypass would be fully opened to provide all exhaust energy to generate boost pressure.

In a variant, the embodiment can be designed with two-stage supercharging (two turbochargers in series).

Fig. 7 shows an arrangement with two-stage supercharging, wherein two turbochargers 2, 2 'are arranged in series. According to this embodiment, the turbo-compound system 5 is arranged between the input side of the turbine 3 of the turbocharger 2 (acting here as a high-pressure charger) and the output side of the turbine 3 'of the turbocharger 2' (low-pressure charger). Alternatively, the turbo-compound system 5 can also be arranged between the inlet and outlet sides of the turbine 3 (high-pressure loader).

As explained with reference to the preceding embodiments, the braking torque of the turbo-compound system 5 can also be varied via the control / regulating device 8 here. Thus, the pressure level in the exhaust pipe 9 upstream of the Hochdruckabgasturbine 3 and consequently the recirculated / retained exhaust gas amount can be varied.

As a possible variant, a flow path downstream of the turbo-compound system 5 is still dashed, which connects the outflow side of the turbo-compound system 5 with the inlet of the turbine 3 'of the turbocharger 2' (low-pressure loader). In other words, the turbo-compound system 5 in this variant bridges only the high-pressure charger. This creates the opportunity to process exhaust gas from the turbo-compound system 5 still in the low-pressure loader. For all embodiments, it is also true that the turbine 12 of the turbo-compound system 5 itself can be designed in two stages.

The dotted box around the internal combustion engine 1 is the functional unit again. Constructively, it is of course so that the supply line 1 1 leads to the intake valves 15 and the exhaust valves 16 are connected to the exhaust pipe 9. The exhaust back pressure PAusiass is located between the exhaust valves 16 and the exhaust gas turbine 3 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) and the exhaust gas turbine 12 (FIG. 5).

List of reference numbers used

1 internal combustion engine

2 turbochargers

3 exhaust gas turbine

4 compressors

5 turbo-compound system

6 high pressure exhaust gas recirculation

7 low pressure exhaust system

8 control device

9 exhaust pipe

10 valve

1 1 supply line

12 turbine

13 heat exchangers

14 combustion chamber

15 inlet valve

16 exhaust valve

17 valve

PAC exhaust back pressure (pressure at exhaust upstream of exhaust gas turbine)

PEinlass pressure level in front of the cylinder inlet side

EVc exhaust valve closing

EVo outlet valve opening

IVc inlet valve closing

IVo inlet valve opening

Claims

claims:

1 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine (1) wherein an amount of exhaust gas remaining in combustion chambers (14) of the internal combustion engine (1) is varied, characterized in that the variation of the amount of remaining exhaust gas is controlled by controlling one of an exhaust pipe (9) ) of the internal combustion engine (1) arranged turbo-compound system (5) exerted on exhaust valves (16) of the combustion chambers (14) applied exhaust backpressure (pAusiass) takes place.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the variation of the turbo-compound system (5) exerted exhaust back pressure (PAusiass) by controlling or regulating a braking torque of a generator (G) of the turbo-compound system (5).

3. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount of one of the exhaust pipe (9) in the combustion chambers (14) recirculated exhaust gas by varying the exhaust gas exerted by the turbo-compound system (5) exhaust back pressure (PAusiass) or is regulated.

4. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in parallel arrangement of the turbo-compound system (5) to a turbocharger (3, 3 '), preferably in a PCCI mode, the exhaust back pressure (pAusiass) additionally by Actuation of a in the exhaust pipe (9) downstream of the turbocharger (3, 3 ') arranged valve (17) is controlled or regulated.

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal combustion engine (1) is operated in the PCCI operating mode.

6. Internal combustion engine (1) with

a supply line (1 1) for air or mixture,

an exhaust pipe (9) for discharging exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, wherein exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe (9) in the supply line (1 1) is feasible,

a turbo-compound system (5) arranged in the exhaust pipe (9),

Combustion chambers (14) for combustion of the fuel-air mixture supplied via the supply line (1 1),

a control device (8),

characterized in that the control / regulating device (8) is configured in such a way that, by engagement of the control / regulating device (8) on the turbo-compound system (5), the quantity of the exhaust gas line (9) into the combustion chambers (9). 14) of the internal combustion engine (1) recirculated exhaust gas is controlled or regulated.

7. Internal combustion engine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one turbocharger (2, 2 ') is provided, the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine (1) can be fed and from the compressed mixture or air of the internal combustion engine (1) can be fed wherein the turbo-compound system (5) is arranged parallel to the at least one turbocharger (2, 2 ').

8. Internal combustion engine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that two series-connected turbocharger (2, 2 ') are provided, which exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine (1) can be fed and of which compressed mixture or air of the internal combustion engine (1). can be fed, wherein the turbo-compound system (5) connects the input of the first turbocharger (2) with the output of the second turbocharger (2 ') or the input of the first turbocharger (2) with the output of the first turbocharger (2) ,

9. Internal combustion engine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one turbocharger (2, 2 ') is provided, the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine (1) can be fed and from the compressed mixture or air of the internal combustion engine (1) can be fed wherein the turbo-compound system (5) is arranged in series with the at least one turbocharger (2, 2 ').

10. Internal combustion engine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one turbocharger (2, 2 ') is provided, the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine (1) can be supplied and from the compressed mixture or air of the internal combustion engine (1) can be fed , wherein the turbine (12) of the turbo

Compound system (5) instead of the turbine (3) of the at least one turbocharger (2, 2 ') is arranged.