COMBUSTION ENGINE EXHAUST ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM

摘要

This invention maximizes the energy potential for fossil fuel burning combustion engines. It does this by recovering the heat from the exhaust and turning it into mechanical or electrical energy through the use of steam technology. In addition, the residual heat can be recovered for hot water applications. This invention merges the 120 odd years of combustion engine technology (fossil fuelled, hydrogen, piston and/or gas turbine) with the 400 years of steam technology (steam turbine and steam engine). Passing the engine exhaust gasses through a single tube heat exchanger, cools them by transferring heat to the water in the water jacket. The water will flash to steam which powers a steam turbine or engine connected to an electrical generator. For vehicle applications, power is now provided from two sources, the vehicle engine itself plus the electrical energy produced by the heat recovered from its exhaust. Cooling exhaust gasses will produce deposit of particulates that would otherwise be expelled into the atmosphere, to build up inside the Heat Exchanger. Use of a single tube with a clean out cap allows periodic cleaning using a simple brush system similar to a chimney sweep or gun barrel. The particulates can be swept up and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Today, the technology and materials are available to emplace this system on ships and motor vehicles of all sizes. In addition, generator applications can replace fossil fuel furnaces for building applications to provide both electrical power and heat. In addition to maximizing energy potential of fossil fuels, this invention will: a. Reduce particulate and green house gas emissions into the atmosphere by cooling exhaust gas and cleaning the deposits from the Heat Exchanger. b. Reduce the Infra-Red (Heat) signature of applications, of particular interest for war ships, by cooling the engine exhaust and dumping it into the water vice the air making it harder to detect. c. Reduce combustion engine size requirements while improving fuel economy by capturing energy that was otherwise wasted. This translates into longer range, reduced fuel loads and/or increased cargo area. d. Provide electrical power, hot water and building heat for all manner of structures from factories to cottages by replacing fossil fuelled furnaces with an electrical generator/heating system. Recovered heat could even be used to provide the heat for a clothes dryer while surplus electrical energy is fed to the power grid. e. Provide a means to purify or desalinate water by vaporizing impure water, sterilization through heat and then condensing and capturing it.