VOLUMETRIC FLUID EXPANDER WITH WATER INJECTION

摘要

An exhaust gas energy recovery system includes an internal combustion engine, a volumetric fluid expander, and a water injection mechanism. The internal combustion engine includes an air inlet, at least one cylinder, and an exhaust gas outlet for conveying an exhaust gas stream at a first pressure. The volumetric fluid expander generates useful work at an output shaft by expanding the exhaust gas stream to a second pressure lower than the first pressure as the exhaust gas stream moves through the volumetric fluid expander. The water injection mechanism injects water into the system at a location between the air inlet of the engine and the expander to increase the volume of the exhaust received by the expander for increased power output at the expander.

主权项

1. An exhaust gas energy recovery system for an internal combustion engine having an air intake and an exhaust outlet, the energy recovery system comprising:
(a) a volumetric fluid expander in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold, the volumetric fluid expander being configured to receive and expand exhaust from the exhaust manifold to a lower pressure, the volumetric fluid expander including first and second twisted meshed rotors rotatably disposed in a housing, wherein the rotors have an equal number of lobes, and wherein the lobes of the first rotor do not contact the lobes of the second rotor; and (b) a water injection mechanism including a water injector and a pump for providing pressurized water to the water injector, the water injector being positioned to inject water at a location between the air intake and the volumetric fluid expander to cause a volumetric expansion.