Intake air separation system for an internal combustion engine

摘要

A method and system for the intake air separation within an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the intake air separation system includes an intake air separation device adapted for separating the intake air into a flow of the oxygen enriched air and a flow of nitrogen enriched air; an intake air circuit adapted to deliver intake air to the air separation device, and a purge air circuit adapted to deliver a flow of sweep air or purge air to the intake air separation device to increase the effectiveness of the air separation. The intake air separation device includes a first outlet in fluid communication with the intake air separation device and adapted to receive a flow of the oxygen enriched air and purge air as well as a second outlet also in fluid communication with the intake air separation device and adapted to provide the glow of nitrogen enriched air to the intake manifold for use in the combustion process. Controlling the flow and/or temperature of the purge air through the air separation device controls the air intake system.