Multi-fuel co-injection system and method for internal combustion and turbine engines

Abstract

An improved multi-fuel supply and co-injection system and method for powering internal combustion and turbine engines, whereby various combinations of fuels, both liquid and gaseous, may be mixed together and fed into the system, under the real-time control of a microprocessor responding to a variety of sensors and acting on a variety of control devices, all working together in a manner designed to enhance the utilization of the thermal content of the various fuels, and in particular to enhance the combustion efficiency and increase the power output while decreasing the consumption of fuel, calculated both by quantity and by cost and whereby the liquid fuel lubricates the moving parts of the injection system.

1 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system for utilizing several different types of fuel at the same time in an engine, comprising:
 a multiplicity of tanks to hold and supply two or more different types of combustible fuel;   means to alter and control the rate of flow and pressure of the various types of fuel at various places as they move through the system;   means to mix the various types of fuel at any ratio relative to each other into a common stream;   means to maintain the consistency of the fuel mixture pending injection into the combustion chamber or chambers; and   means to inject the fuel mixture at high pressure into the combustion chamber or chambers;   whereby the mixture of the various types of fuel provides a more efficient burn characteristic and the ratio of fuel types relative to each other may be altered in real time to provide for an improved synergistic utilization of the thermal potential of each fuel so that the power extracted from the fuel mixture is greater than the sum of the power available from each fuel burned separately.   
     
     
         2 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , wherein gaseous fuels may be mixed into a liquid fuel stream at a pressure, which will prevent the gaseous and liquid fuel types from separating from one another. 
     
     
         3 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , wherein gaseous fuels may be mixed into a liquid fuel stream under pressure and circulated to maintain homogeneity. 
     
     
         4 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , wherein an effective ratio of fuel types to one another may he maintained and adjusted in real time to achieve an improved utilization of the thermal potential of the fuel mixture in all operating conditions. 
     
     
         5 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , wherein simple operator controls may provide transparent control of the various aspects of the operation of the system. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 4 , further comprising an array of dials and knobs and switches on an operator's control panel which are coupled to a micro-processor control unit which provides for complete and effective control of the complex system by use of simple and transparent means of adjustment. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means to sense, adjust and regulate the temperature of various fuel types whereby the flow and mix characteristics of the various fuel types may be altered prior to mixing with other fuel types in order to achieve improved characteristics of the combined fuel mix. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means to regulate the pressure of the fuel mix to provide for an improved dispersal of the fuel in the combustion chamber and thereby to provide for an optimum rate of fuel burn. 
     
     
         9 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means to generate hydrogen and oxygen in conjunction with the operation of the engine at a rate, which will contribute effectively to the fuel mix. 
     
     
         10 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a means to apply the oxygen generated to at least one of the liquid fuel stream and the intake airflow at the option of the operator. 
     
     
         11 . A multi-fuel, co-injection system according to  claim 1 , wherein gaseous fuels may be mixed into a liquid fuel stream under pressure and circulated to maintain homogeneity, wherein the liquid fuel being diesel, vegetable oil, motor oil etc. acts as a lubricating component for the moving parts in the injection system.