JP5531240B2 - Ignition device, internal combustion engine, spark plug, and plasma device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ignition device used in, for example, a heat engine such as a reciprocating engine, a rotary engine, a jet engine, a gas turbine, or a plasma apparatus.

  The present invention also relates to an internal combustion engine suitable for applying the ignition device according to the present invention.

  The present invention also relates to a spark plug suitable for application to the ignition device according to the present invention.

  Furthermore, the present invention can reduce or reduce harmful emissions (CO2, NOX, unburned hydrocarbons), volatile hazardous chemicals (VOC), suspended particulate matter (PM), soot, etc., tar, sludge, The present invention relates to a plasma apparatus used in the environment (implant, end-of-pipe) countermeasure field such as wastewater treatment and reuse, and in medical and hygiene fields such as sterilization, sterilization, and cleaning technology.

  Conventionally, ignition of an air-fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine such as a reciprocating engine or a rotary engine has been performed using an ignition plug that performs spark discharge. However, electromagnetic noise generated by spark discharge may cause malfunction of an electronic device mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, electromagnetic waves having a frequency of several gigahertz (GHz), that is, microwaves, are not used regardless of spark discharge. Conventionally, ignition devices that use and ignite have been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Documents 1 to 4, ignition is configured by connecting a microwave waveguide to a combustion / reaction chamber (inside a cylinder) and providing a discharge electrode for microwave discharge in the combustion / reaction chamber. An apparatus is described.

  In this ignition device, a microwave pulse generated by a microwave generator (magnetron) is transmitted into a combustion / reaction chamber via a microwave waveguide, and a microwave corona discharge is generated at a discharge electrode to generate a combustion / The mixture in the reaction chamber is ignited.

  Further, for example, in Patent Document 5, a high-frequency electric field generator (magnetron) is provided in the combustion / reaction chamber (in the cylinder), and a high-frequency electric field is formed in the combustion chamber by the high-frequency electric field generator during the compression stroke of the engine. A gasoline internal combustion engine is described in which the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is ignited and heated by dielectric heating.

  Conventionally, plasma devices used in the technical field of environmental countermeasures increase the energy input to the plasma generated by discharge under low pressure to generate high-temperature equilibrium plasma, which generates harmful emissions and chemical substances. In most cases, suspended particulate matter, soot, etc. were heated to a high temperature to be oxidized and decomposed.

  In recent years, methods of generating atmospheric pressure and non-equilibrium plasma by microwave discharge (coaxial resonator type plasma generation) have been studied. The generated plasma has an electron temperature of tens of thousands of degrees, and a gas temperature is a normal temperature to 1000 ° C. reactive plasma. In addition, plasma devices for sterilization, sterilization, and deodorization in the medical and hygiene fields have been developed using strong chemical reaction action such as OH radicals generated by plasma and O3 (ozone) (Innovation Japan 2005). Year: http://ccr.ccr.tokushima-u.ac.jp/topic/050927-01.pdf).

  As a plasma apparatus using a microwave, a plasma gas is generated by exciting a gas close to atmospheric pressure with a microwave.

  For example, Patent Document 6 and Patent Document 7 describe a microwave plasma apparatus. In this microwave plasma device, a non-metallic pipe for gas passage is arranged along the center of the central conductor, and the gas injected from one end is excited by microwaves in a gap not covered by the central conductor. From the other end, it is converted into plasma and emitted (coaxial resonator type plasma generation).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-186067 JP-A-3-31579 JP 2000-230426 A JP 2001-73920 A JP 2000-274249 A JP 2001-035692 A JP 2004-172044 A

  By the way, in recent years, in a heat engine such as a reciprocating engine, a rotary engine, a jet engine, a gas turbine, or a plasma apparatus, an improvement in fuel consumption rate is desired. In order to improve the fuel consumption rate, it is conceivable to reduce the proportion of fuel in the air-fuel mixture and to burn and react a thin air-fuel mixture. However, when the ratio of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture is lowered in a conventional internal combustion engine or the like, the stability of the combustion / reaction is impaired, such as cycle fluctuations, resulting in problems such as a decrease in output.

  Therefore, in order to improve the fuel consumption rate in a heat engine or plasma device, even when a thin mixture is burned / reacted by reducing the fuel ratio in the mixture, stable and highly efficient combustion / It is necessary to be able to react.

  And, since the ignition device using the microwave corona discharge as described above cannot improve the fuel consumption rate and the stability of combustion / reaction compared to the ignition method using the conventional spark discharge, It is in the present condition that is not put into practical use.

  In addition, gasoline internal combustion engines using high-frequency electric field generators such as those described above have durability, vibration resistance, restrictions on installation space, ambient temperature (the engine becomes hot), electromagnetic waves generated by attaching a magnetron directly to the engine. Since various troubles such as prevention of malfunction of the control system due to leakage occur, it has hardly been put to practical use.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and in a heat engine such as a reciprocating engine, a rotary engine, a jet engine, a gas turbine, or a plasma device, the ratio of fuel in the air-fuel mixture is reduced. An ignition device that can improve the output, clean the exhaust gas, and improve the fuel consumption rate by enabling stable and highly efficient combustion and reaction even when a thin air-fuel mixture is burned and reacted. Is to provide.

  Furthermore, in a gasoline internal combustion engine, mounting a magnetron directly on the engine has various problems such as durability, vibration resistance, restrictions on installation space, ambient temperature (the engine becomes hot), and prevention of malfunction of the control system due to leakage of electromagnetic waves. It is an object of the present invention to provide an internal combustion engine that can be solved.

  The present invention is also intended to provide an internal combustion engine suitable for applying the ignition device according to the present invention as described above. Further, the present invention provides an ignition device according to the present invention as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a spark plug suitable for application.

  Further, in these conventional plasma generation methods, a large amount of energy is consumed in order to continuously generate high temperature plasma, the device itself is very expensive (3 million yen or more), and the operation cost is high. The device itself was large and difficult to transport. In addition, the atmospheric pressure / non-equilibrium plasma utilization technology has just begun, and the above-described discharge between the central conductors is used for plasma ignition. A large output (several hundred W to 5 kW) is still required. At present, regarding the environmental countermeasure technology using these plasma devices and the technology applied to the medical / hygiene field, the product performance of the same countermeasure technology is, for example, a device cost of 300,000 yen for a VOC small processing device of less than 1 ton per year A low-priced product with a price of about 30,000 yen / month or less is required (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 2004; Chemical Risk Reduction Technology Target).

  The plasma of this system is a microplasma of low temperature, atmospheric pressure, and air, and it does not heat harmful emissions, chemical substances, suspended particulate matter, soot, etc. (O3)) is used to chemically oxidize and react to reduce, reduce, and detoxify harmful substances and the like, and has novelty and effectiveness completely different from conventional high-temperature plasma technology. Conventionally, a large amount of energy and a large-scale apparatus have been required to generate plasma for treating harmful substances. In addition, there are few inexpensive and small devices that can be easily converted to plasma with atmospheric air and generate a large amount of radicals.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to provide an inexpensive and small-sized plasma apparatus that can be easily converted to plasma at atmospheric pressure and generates a large amount of radicals. .

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a plasma apparatus that can be applied not only to these end-of-pipe countermeasure technologies but also to implant countermeasure technologies. Even in various combustors, stable and highly efficient combustion can be performed, and the combustion process can be improved without lowering the output (chemical oxidation and reaction by strong OH radicals, volume ignition, lean fuel combustion) It is an object of the present invention to provide a plasma apparatus suitable for energy saving by expanding the limit) and reducing / reducing harmful emissions by decomposition / complete combustion of unburned fuel.

  Furthermore, the present invention intends to provide an effective exhaust gas decomposition apparatus, ozone generation / sterilization / disinfection apparatus, and deodorization apparatus by generating a large amount of continuously active OH radicals and O3 at low cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the above object, an ignition device according to the present invention has any one of the following configurations.

[Configuration 1 ]
Mixture is present combustion and reaction of the mixture of the oxidizing gas and the reactive gas in a heat engine or a plasma device, or radiating to luma microwave radiating microwaves into the combustion or reaction zone where the plasma reaction is carried out Means for discharging and igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region, and the microwave radiation means and the control means for controlling the ignition means, the microwave radiation means and the ignition means , by being controlled by said control means, after the microwave radiation means has been allowed a plasma discharge in a microwave combustion or reaction area to radiate into the combustion or reaction zone, said ignition means wherein discharge to the air-fuel mixture, ignition, then trough the said microwave radiation means to radiation and plasma discharge combustion or reaction region microwaves into the combustion or reaction zone It is characterized in that the repeated cycle.

  An internal combustion engine according to the present invention has any one of the following configurations.

[Configuration 2 ]
Composed of a cylinder and a piston, a mixture of a reactive gas and an oxidizing gas is supplied, and a combustion / reaction chamber or a plasma reaction is performed on the mixture, and a microwave is applied to the combustion / reaction chamber. A microwave radiating means for radiating and causing plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction chamber, and a concave portion for preventing leakage of the microwave is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston in sliding contact with the cylinder inner wall ; When the wavelength of the microwave is λ, the groove width of the concave portion is λ / 8 or less .

[ Configuration 3 ]
Composed of a cylinder and a piston, a mixture of a reactive gas and an oxidizing gas is supplied, and a combustion / reaction chamber or a plasma reaction is performed on the mixture, and a microwave is applied to the combustion / reaction chamber. A microwave radiating means for radiating and causing plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction chamber, and a concave portion for preventing leakage of the microwave is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston in sliding contact with the cylinder inner wall; An annular groove surrounding the outer peripheral surface is intermittently formed as the concave portion on the outer peripheral surface slidably contacting the cylinder inner wall of the piston.

[Configuration 4 ]
Consists cylinder and the piston, the air-fuel mixture is fed combustion-reaction of the mixture of the reactive gas and the oxidizing gas, or a combustion or reaction chamber in which a plasma reaction is conducted, provided in front Symbol combustion or reaction chamber and a valve for opening and closing the intake port and an exhaust port has, on the surface facing the combustion and reaction chamber of the valve, the periodic structure microwave transmitted through the shaft of the valve to resonate is formed, the When the microwave is transmitted to the surface of the valve facing the combustion / reaction chamber, a spark is generated and the air-fuel mixture is ignited .

  Furthermore, the spark plug according to the present invention has the following configuration.

[Configuration 5 ]
A microwave radiating antenna that emits microwaves in a combustion / reaction area where a mixture of reactive gas and oxidizing gas exists in a heat engine or plasma device and the mixture is burned / reacted, and a voltage is applied A spark discharge between an anode terminal and a ground terminal part, and an ignition / discharge part for igniting an air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region, wherein the microwave radiation antenna and the ignition / discharge part are integrated It is built in the insulator part comprised in this.

  Furthermore, the plasma apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

[Configuration 6 ]
A microwave oscillation device that generates a predetermined microwave band, a microwave resonance cavity that resonates in a predetermined microwave band, a microwave radiating means that radiates a microwave into the microwave resonance cavity, and the microwave resonance A plasma ignition means for converting the gas in the cavity into a plasma by partially discharging the gas, and the microwave radiation means forms an electric field by microwaves in a plasma generation region by the plasma ignition means. It is what.

The ignition device having the configuration 1, after the microwave radiation means raising the temperature of the mixture in the combustion or reaction region by radiating microwaves into the combustion or reaction zone, the plasma discharge in the combustion or reaction region The radical concentration is increased to improve the flame ignition characteristics and promote the flame propagation speed. The ignition means ignites the mixture, and then the microwave radiation means radiates microwaves into the combustion / reaction zone. This facilitates combustion and reaction of the air-fuel mixture, so that stable and highly efficient combustion and reaction can be achieved even when a thin or heterogeneous air-fuel mixture is combusted and reacted by reducing the fuel ratio in the air-fuel mixture. Done .

In the internal combustion engine having configurations 2 and 3 , since the concave portion for preventing leakage of the microwave is formed on the outer peripheral surface that is in sliding contact with the cylinder inner wall of the piston, even when the above-described ignition device is used, Microwave leakage can be prevented.

In the spark plug having the configuration 5 , the microwave radiating antenna and the ignition / discharge part are built in the integrally formed insulator part, so that it is compatible with a plasma source such as a conventional spark plug or glow plug. The ignition device described above can be configured while being used.

In the plasma device having the configuration 6 , a microwave oscillation device that generates a predetermined microwave band, a microwave resonance cavity (cavity) that resonates the predetermined microwave band, and a microwave that radiates microwaves into the cavity Efficient low-temperature plasma can be generated by having a microwave radiation antenna with a shape and size that forms a strong electric field by microwaves in the plasma generation region. it can.

The plasma device having the configuration 6 includes a plasma ignition means for partially discharging the gas in the cavity to convert the gas into a plasma, and has a shape and size that form a strong electric field by microwaves in the plasma generation region. Efficient low temperature plasma can be generated by having a microwave radiation antenna.

  That is, the present invention is stable even when a thin air-fuel mixture is burned and reacted in a heat engine such as a reciprocating engine, a rotary engine, a jet engine, or a gas turbine, or a plasma device, by reducing the ratio of fuel in the air-fuel mixture. To provide an ignition device that enables high-efficiency combustion / reaction to be performed, stabilizes ignition, improves combustion speed, promotes combustion of a heterogeneous mixture, and improves fuel consumption rate. It is something that can be done.

  Moreover, the present invention can provide an internal combustion engine suitable for applying the ignition device according to the present invention as described above, and the present invention further provides the ignition device according to the present invention as described above. It is possible to provide a spark plug suitable for application to the above. The spark plug can be used not only as an internal combustion engine but also as an ignition device for combustion / reaction equipment. Thereby, stabilization of a flame, improvement in fuel consumption, and improvement in combustion / reaction efficiency can be achieved.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a processing apparatus for reducing or reducing harmful emissions (CO2, NOX, unburned hydrocarbons), volatile hazardous chemicals (VOC), suspended particulate matter (PM), soot, etc. Plasma equipment and exhaust gas used in electric dust collectors, environmental (implant, end-of-pipe) countermeasure technology fields such as tar, sludge, wastewater treatment and reuse, and medical and hygiene fields such as sterilization, sterilization, and cleaning technologies To provide a low-priced, small-sized apparatus that can be easily converted to plasma at atmospheric pressure and generates a large amount of OH radicals and O3 in decomposition equipment, hazardous substance processing equipment, ozone generation / sterilization / disinfection equipment, and deodorization equipment. It can be done.

  Moreover, it can be applied not only to end-of-pipe countermeasure technology but also to implant countermeasure technology. Even in various combustors such as gas turbines, furnaces, industrial waste incinerators, and pyrolysis furnaces, stable and highly efficient combustion can be performed to improve the combustion process without reducing the output (burning of lean fuel) Thus, it is possible to provide a suitable plasma apparatus that can reduce and reduce harmful emissions by decomposition and complete combustion of unburned fuel.

  Further, it is possible to provide an ozone generating / sterilizing / disinfecting device and a deodorizing device that are inexpensive and easily generate a large amount of O3 with high efficiency and energy saving.

It is a graph which shows the relationship between the temperature of air-fuel | gaseous mixture and a dielectric constant in the internal combustion engine to which the ignition device which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a graph which shows the pulse width of the microwave in the ignition device which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the combustion and reaction chamber in the said internal combustion engine. It is a graph which shows the pulse width of the microwave of the four steps multi ignition which concerns on this invention, and the output of a microwave. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the spark plug which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the spark plug which concerns on this invention. It is the side view and top view which show the structure of the principal part of 1st Embodiment of the internal combustion engine which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of the internal combustion engine which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the other example of a structure of the internal combustion engine which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another example of a structure of the internal combustion engine which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of 1st Embodiment of the plasma apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of the plasma apparatus which concerns on this invention. Moreover, it is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of 1st Embodiment of the waste gas processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of 3rd Embodiment of the plasma apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of 4th Embodiment of the plasma apparatus which concerns on this invention. Moreover, it is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of the waste gas processing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Will be described below with reference to the drawings forms condition for carrying out the present invention.

[First embodiment of ignition device]
In a heat engine or plasma apparatus, a mixture of reactive gas and oxidizing gas exists, and in the combustion / reaction area where the mixture is burned / reacted, for example, in the combustion / reaction chamber of the engine, When the temperature rise or ignition is performed, it is necessary to efficiently transmit the energy required for the temperature rise or ignition into the combustion / reaction chamber. For this reason, it is desirable that the resonance frequency determined by the shape of the combustion / reaction chamber, the dielectric constant (ε) of the air-fuel mixture, and the like match the microwave frequency. On the other hand, as a magnetron for generating microwaves, a large number of magnetrons having an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz resonating with water molecules have already been produced and used for home appliances. In addition, for high frequency fish detectors and radars, higher frequency magnetrons have been put into practical use.

  Therefore, if the resonance frequency of the combustion / reaction chamber can be matched with this frequency (2.45 GHz), for example, a magnetron having an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz that is distributed in large quantities and is inexpensive can be used. It is desirable from the viewpoint of facilitating manufacturing and reducing manufacturing costs.

  However, since the shape of the combustion / reaction chamber determined by the internal shape of the cylinder and the shape of the piston is determined by various factors other than the resonance frequency, it is not possible to set the shape so that the resonance frequency is constant in all engines. Have difficulty.

  Therefore, in the ignition device according to the present invention, by introducing water and / or exhaust gas into the combustion / reaction chamber, the dielectric constant (ε) of the mixture is controlled, and the resonance of the mixture within the combustion / reaction chamber is achieved. The frequency is made to match the frequency of the microwave.

  That is, this ignition device has a dielectric constant control means. This dielectric constant control means is used for a combustion / reaction region (combustion / reaction chamber, etc.) in which a mixture of reactive gas and oxidizing gas exists in a heat engine or plasma apparatus and combustion / reaction of this mixture is performed. The dielectric constant of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction zone is controlled by introducing water and / or exhaust gas exhausted from the combustion / reaction zone.

  The dielectric constant (ε) of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber varies depending on the change of the air-fuel ratio (A / F value) by changing the amount of gasoline injected into the combustion / reaction chamber, but as shown in FIG. In addition to the air-fuel mixture, it can also be changed by introducing water (steam) into the combustion / reaction chamber. Therefore, the dielectric constant of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region can be controlled by introducing water into the combustion / reaction chamber by the dielectric constant control means. The introduction of water into the combustion / reaction chamber can be performed, for example, by sending water stored in a tank into the combustion / reaction chamber using a pump.

  Further, since re-introducing exhaust gas exhausted from the combustion / reaction chamber into the combustion / reaction chamber has been conventionally performed as so-called “EGR” (exhaust gas / returning), A well-known mechanism can be used as a specific mechanism for reintroducing the gas into the combustion / reaction chamber.

  The dielectric constant control means controls the water vapor amount and temperature in the combustion / reaction chamber by introducing these water and / or exhaust gas into the combustion / reaction chamber, thereby controlling the dielectric constant (ε) of the air-fuel mixture. . The dielectric constant control means matches the resonance frequency of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber with the frequency of the microwave emitted by the microwave radiation means described later.

  The ignition device has microwave radiation means for radiating microwaves into the combustion / reaction region and increasing the temperature of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region. As this microwave radiation means, a general magnetron having an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz can be used. A magnetron with an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz is used in a so-called “microwave oven” and is produced and distributed in large quantities. On the other hand, not only a magnetron but also a high-frequency band transmitter used for a mobile phone or the like may be used. In this case, a smaller and portable device can be provided. The microwave radiation means desirably radiates the microwave as a microsecond pulse, or one or two or more intermittently. By making the microwave intermittent, plasma can be generated instantaneously with a high-power microwave without increasing power consumption.

  Furthermore, it is possible to control the object to which the present invention is applied by optimizing the microwave oscillation mode by combining these pulses, intermittent, and continuous.

  Note that the intermittent microwave duration (pulse width) can be optimized as appropriate by the respective heat engine or plasma device. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a microwave oven with an inverter is applied. If so, microwaves with a pulse width of about 3 μsec to 18 μsec can be emitted with a period of about 16 msec. The intermittent microwave amplitude and period can be set arbitrarily.

  In this ignition device, the microwave emitted from the microwave radiation means is transmitted into the combustion / reaction chamber via a coaxial cable.

  Further, this ignition device has ignition means for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber. As the ignition means, a spark plug having an ignition / discharge portion such as a spark plug generally used in a gasoline engine or a glow plug generally used in a diesel engine can be used.

  In this ignition device, the microwave radiation means may also serve as the ignition means without using a spark plug or a glow plug as the ignition means. Furthermore, as an ignition means for facilitating the generation of plasma by microwaves, electrons may be thermally supplied using means such as laser light, flames such as lighters and burners, heater heating, high-temperature metal pieces, and the like.

  In this ignition device, the dielectric constant control means controls the mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber by controlling the dielectric constant (ε) of the mixture before the combustion / reaction of the mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber is performed. The resonance frequency of the gas is matched with the frequency of the microwave radiated by the microwave radiation means. In this state, when microwaves are radiated by the microwave radiating means, the entire combustion / reaction chamber resonates, and the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber is efficiently heated, so that ignition is easy.

  In this way, when the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber is heated, the air-fuel mixture burns and reacts satisfactorily by igniting by the ignition means. In this ignition, so-called “volume ignition” may be performed using resonance by microwaves, or “point ignition” may be performed in a local region, and multistage ignition may be performed. . That is, this ignition device is a system capable of generating plasma by microwaves before ignition, during ignition, and after ignition.

  As for ignition, taking into consideration the “ignition delay time” (ignition delay), ignition is performed a predetermined time before the piston reaches top dead center and the combustion / reaction chamber volume is reduced most. It is desirable. The maximum output can be obtained by optimizing the fuel concentration (air-fuel ratio) and the timing of ignition by each heat engine or plasma device.

  In this ignition device, the dielectric constant of the air-fuel mixture can be accurately controlled by appropriately optimizing the amount of water introduced into the combustion / reaction chamber, the amount of exhaust gas to be recirculated, the amount of fuel, etc. Can do. Note that these optimizations can be appropriately determined in consideration of the influence of the oxygen concentration in the combustion / reaction chamber, the temperature of the air-fuel mixture, the concentration of residual gas, and the like.

  In this way, this ignition device can be used even when the ratio of fuel in the air-fuel mixture is low or the air-fuel mixture concentration is in a non-uniform state as compared with the ignition device in the conventional heat engine or plasma device. Stable combustion / reaction can be realized.

  The ignition device can also be used in a jet engine that does not have a combustion / reaction chamber closed as a combustion / reaction region. In a jet engine or the like, intake, mixing, combustion / reaction, and exhaust are continuously performed in a continuous space in the engine. This ignition device is used in the region where combustion / reaction is performed as described above. Control of the dielectric constant of the air-fuel mixture, microwave radiation and ignition are performed continuously or intermittently.

  In this ignition device, the microwave radiation means is not limited to a magnetron having an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz, but uses a magnetron that oscillates at a frequency that resonates with hydrocarbon molecules, carbon molecules, hydrogen molecules, or the like in the fuel. May be. In this case, it is not necessary to introduce water into the combustion / reaction zone.

[Second Embodiment of Ignition Device]
The ignition device in this embodiment has a microwave radiation means and an ignition means, similarly to the ignition device in the first embodiment described above. The ignition device includes control means for controlling the microwave radiation means and the ignition means.

  The control means controls the microwave radiating means and the ignition means, and radiates microwaves into the combustion / reaction chamber 8 by the microwave radiating means as shown in FIG. Or after generating radicals, the mixture is ignited by the ignition means, and then microwaves are radiated into the combustion / reaction chamber by the microwave radiating means, and the mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber is radiated. Repeat the cycle of promoting combustion and reaction.

  That is, in this ignition device, by controlling the microwave generation timing and the microwave output (input energy), a combustion / reaction cycle such as temperature rise of the air-fuel mixture, radical generation, ignition, and flame propagation promotion is realized. At this time, water and / or exhaust gas may be introduced into the air-fuel mixture before combustion / reaction as in the first embodiment.

  In this ignition device, for example, four-stage multi-ignition can be performed. In the first stage, the temperature of water in the mixture is raised by radiating microwaves to the mixture before ignition. In the second stage, microwaves are radiated to the air-fuel mixture before ignition, thereby causing plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction region and increasing the radical concentration. By these first stage and second stage, the ignition characteristic of the air-fuel mixture is improved and the ignition is made easy. In the third stage, the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region is discharged and ignited. At this time, ignition using an existing spark plug may be used. In the fourth stage, microwaves are radiated to the air-fuel mixture after ignition to cause plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction region, and the radical concentration is increased, or microwaves are radiated, so that the microwaves are resident. Promotes flame propagation by generating waves.

  Note that the microwave pulse width and microwave output (input energy) in the multi-stage multi-ignition are shown in FIG. 4, and the microwave output and pulse width at each stage are the same for each heat engine or plasma device. By optimizing the output, the maximum output can be obtained. In addition, by controlling the microwave output and the amplitude and period of the intermittent wave, this microwave radiation can be used to raise the temperature of the air-fuel mixture, generate radicals such as OH radicals, ignite, and promote flame propagation. Can do.

  In this ignition device, combustion and reaction are promoted in this way, so that even a lean mixture of fuel that could not be burned and reacted when using a conventional ignition device is efficiently burned. It can be reacted, and while maintaining the output, the combustion / reaction consumption rate can be improved, the combustion / reaction chamber can be downsized, the output can be improved, and the exhaust gas can be purified. Further, in this ignition device, incomplete combustion / reaction is prevented and complete combustion / reaction is realized. Therefore, generation of air pollutants can be suppressed, which can contribute to environmental protection.

[Embodiment of spark plug]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the spark plug according to the present invention includes a microwave radiation antenna 1 serving as microwave radiation means and an ignition / discharge unit 2 serving as ignition means. The wave radiation antenna and the ignition / discharge part are built in an integrally formed insulator part. This spark plug can constitute the above-described ignition device according to the present invention by being used interchangeably with a spark plug or a glow plug generally used in a conventional gasoline engine or diesel engine. is there.

  In this spark plug, microwaves are transmitted to the microwave radiation antenna 1 via a coaxial cable 3 from a magnetron (not shown). The spark plug has a cylindrical ground terminal portion 4 so as to surround the microwave radiation antenna 1. The ignition / discharge unit 2 is formed between the tip of the anode terminal 5 to which a voltage is applied from a power source (not shown) and the tip of the cylindrical ground terminal 4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, this spark plug may be configured by forming the microwave radiation antenna 1 in a cylindrical shape and disposing the anode terminal 5 in the microwave radiation antenna 1. Good. In this case, the ground terminal portion 4 is formed in a rod shape and disposed outside the microwave radiation antenna 1. Even in this case, the ignition / discharge portion 2 is formed between the tip portion of the anode terminal 5 and the tip portion of the ground terminal portion 4.

In this spark plug, as shown in FIG. 6, the microwave radiation antenna 1 and the ignition / discharge unit 2 are integrally configured as a shape compatible with a conventional general spark plug. In this spark plug, spark (discharge) as ignition means and microwave radiation as microwave radiation means are possible, and the above-described ignition device can be easily configured.
Each of the spark plugs shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a structure capable of performing the four-stage multi-ignition which is the second embodiment of the ignition device described above.

[First Embodiment of Internal Combustion Engine]
As shown in FIG. 7, the internal combustion engine according to the present invention comprises a cylinder 6 and a piston 7 and has a combustion / reaction chamber 8 in which a mixture of fuel and air is supplied and combustion / reaction of the mixture is performed. Moreover, the microwave radiation antenna 1 in the above-described embodiment is provided as an ignition device. In this internal combustion engine, a concave portion 9 for preventing leakage of microwaves is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 that is in sliding contact with the inner wall of the cylinder 6.

  The recess 9 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical piston 7 in a shape in which an annular groove surrounding the outer peripheral surface is intermittent. The width (groove width) L of the recess 9 is preferably 8D or more and λ / 8 or less, where D is the gap between the inner wall of the cylinder 6 and the piston and λ is the wavelength of the microwave. The depth (groove depth) of the recess 9 is λ / 4.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the concave portion 9 is formed in a range of about 80% with respect to the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the outer peripheral surface of the piston 7 when there is no disturbance in the wavelength of the microwave. Thus, this microwave can be prevented from leaking from the cylinder 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the concave portion 9 allows the microwave to pass when there is a disturbance in the wavelength of the microwave, so that the microwave of a specific frequency is selectively trapped to stabilize the inside of the chamber. be able to.

[Second Embodiment of Internal Combustion Engine]
As shown in FIG. 8, the internal combustion engine according to the present invention includes a combustion / reaction chamber 8 which is composed of a cylinder and a piston, is supplied with a mixture of fuel and air, and combustion / reaction of the mixture is performed. A valve 12 that opens and closes an intake port 10 and an exhaust port 11 provided in the combustion / reaction chamber 8 is provided, and the microwave radiation means in the above-described embodiment is provided as an ignition device. As described above, this microwave radiation means radiates microwaves into the combustion / reaction chamber 8 and at least raises the temperature of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction chamber 8.

  In this internal combustion engine, the surface of each valve 12 facing the combustion / reaction chamber 8 resonates with microwaves, and the microwaves are directed to the bottom surface of one or more valves, that is, to the engine combustion chamber side. A periodic structure (for example, rimbone, vane strap, corrugate) 13 to be concentrated is formed. The periodic structure 13 is formed as a protrusion having the same shape as the resonator in the magnetron, using nitride or the like. In addition, the part used as the recessed part between the protrusions which make this periodic structure 13 is filled with insulating materials, such as a ceramic, The surface which faces the combustion and reaction chamber 8 of each valve | bulb 12 is made into a flat shape. Yes.

  In this internal combustion engine, the microwave from the magnetron is transmitted to the surface of each valve 12 facing the combustion / reaction chamber 8 via the shaft portion 14 of each valve 12. And this microwave resonates in the periodic structure 13 of each valve | bulb 12, and is converted into an electric current. Therefore, when a microwave is transmitted to the periodic structure 13 of each valve 12, a spark is generated in the periodic structure 13. That is, in this internal combustion engine, ignition of the air-fuel mixture can be performed without using a spark plug. The shaft portion 14 of each valve 12 preferably has a diameter of 8 mm or less in order to prevent microwave leakage.

  In this internal combustion engine, it is not necessary to provide a spark plug as in the prior art, and a space can be afforded. Therefore, the intake port 10 and the exhaust port 11 can be enlarged to improve the combustion and reaction efficiency. Further, in the internal combustion engine, multipoint ignition can be performed on substantially the entire surface of each valve 12 facing the combustion / reaction chamber 8, and stable combustion / reaction can be realized.

  In this internal combustion engine as well, not all energy of the microwave is consumed by the spark, but is consumed as a spark of the microwave by appropriately optimizing the output, pulse width, etc. of the microwave. The ratio between the energy and the energy radiated as microwaves into the combustion / reaction chamber 8 can be adjusted, and the ignition device as described above can be configured.

  In this internal combustion engine, as shown in FIG. 9, a magnet 15 is provided around the shaft portion 14 of the valve 12 through which microwaves are transmitted to generate a magnetic field and an electric field, thereby generating plasma and flame propagation. It is possible to promote combustion and reaction by promotion.

  Furthermore, in this internal combustion engine, as shown in FIG. 10, a periodic structure 13 that resonates with microwaves is formed on the inner wall portion of the combustion / reaction chamber 8 as a protrusion having the same shape as a resonator in a magnetron by nitride or the like. The microwave may be generated in the periodic structure 13 by supplying a current to the periodic structure 13.

[First Embodiment of Plasma Device]
As shown in FIG. 11, the plasma device according to the present invention includes a microwave oscillation device 17, a microwave resonance cavity (cavity) 18 that resonates in a predetermined microwave band, and a microwave that radiates microwaves into the cavity. A radiation means (microwave radiation antenna) 19 and a plasma ignition means 20 that partially discharges the gas in the cavity to turn the gas into plasma, the microwave radiation antenna 19 includes a plasma generation region 21 by the plasma ignition means 20. A strong electric field is generated by microwaves.

  Microwave resonance cavity to chemically oxidize and react harmful emissions, chemical substances, suspended particulate matter, soot, etc. using plasma products (OH radicals, ozone (O3)) and make them harmless A non-equilibrium plasma in a high-pressure field (atmospheric pressure or 0.2 MPa or more) is generated in the (cavity) internal fluid 22. The greatest merit of atmospheric pressure and non-equilibrium plasma is that it can control the reaction rate and the raw material conversion rate almost independently of the temperature and pressure, avoiding the restriction of thermal and chemical equilibrium. A reactor (reactor) to be reacted with the generated plasma has a high degree of freedom in design, and a lightweight, compact, and responsive reactor can be constructed. The atmospheric pressure / non-equilibrium plasma is also considered to be used for direct synthesis of methanol from methane, steam reforming of natural gas, acetylene synthesis, liquefaction of natural gas, and the like.

  At this time, the pressure of the generated plasma is set by the line pressure of the processing fluid such as harmful discharge, chemical substance, suspended particulate matter, soot, etc. to be rendered harmless. The processing amount is determined by the flow rate flowing through the line.

  In order to generate high-pressure field plasma, the inventors have conducted various basic studies. From the research results, it became clear that stable plasma can be sustained by igniting plasma seeds by some method and applying energy to it. Therefore, with respect to the plasma ignition means 4, any one of barrier discharge for inserting an insulator such as a dielectric between electrodes, corona discharge for forming an unequal electric field, and pulse discharge for applying a short pulse voltage of less than 1 μs is used. Ignite non-equilibrium plasma. For example, a local plasma is ignited by using a spark plug or a glow plug for a gasoline vehicle. In order to grow the generated plasma, a strong electric field is formed in the plasma generation region 21 in the vicinity of the discharge location of the spark plug or the glow plug using a microwave transmitted from the microwave transmission device 1. Thereby, the energy of the microwave is absorbed by the non-equilibrium plasma, and the plasma grows (volume ignition). In this process, OH radicals that cause an active chemical reaction and O3 having a strong oxidizing power increase in a large amount on the order of several hundred times. In order to promote this reaction, it is advisable to add moisture that is the basis of OH radicals and O3. Moreover, in order to promote this reaction, it is effective to apply a microwave of 1 GHz or more at which water molecules resonate. As a magnetron that generates microwaves, it is easy to manufacture and manufacture equipment for home appliances that are already produced in large quantities all over the world (for example, those with an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz for microwave ovens). It is desirable from the viewpoint of cost reduction.

  Further, the microwave radiation means is not limited to a magnetron having an oscillation frequency of 2.45 GHz, depending on the object to be treated such as a harmful substance, but a frequency that resonates with hydrocarbon molecules, carbon molecules, hydrogen molecules, or the like in the fuel. A magnetron that oscillates in the above may be used. In this case, it is not necessary to introduce water into the combustion region.

[Second Embodiment of Plasma Device]
As shown in FIG. 12, the plasma device according to the present invention includes a microwave oscillation device 17, a microwave resonance cavity (cavity) 18 that resonates in a predetermined microwave band, and a microwave in the plasma generation region 21 in the cavity. The microwave radiation means (microwave radiation antenna) 19 that radiates the gas, the plasma ignition means 20 that turns the gas into the plasma by partial discharge with respect to the gas 22 in the cavity, and the generation of OH radicals and O3 generated by plasma generation A measuring unit 23 for measuring the quantity or emission intensity and a control means 24 for controlling the input energy pattern of the microwave radiation means and the plasma ignition means are provided. The arrows shown in the figure indicate the flow direction of the fluid 25 to be processed or burned by plasma.

  As described in the first embodiment, the components of the fluid detoxified by the generation of plasma or oxidized and chemically reacted by OH radicals are measured by the OH sensor and the O3 sensor in the measurement unit 23 provided on the downstream side. Measure OH radicals, O3 generation, or emission intensity in real time. The measurement result is calculated, and the processing amount of harmful substances flowing through the plasma apparatus is controlled by controlling the microwave radiation means 19 and the plasma ignition means 20 to arbitrary values within a certain control range.

[Third Embodiment of Plasma Device]
As shown in FIG. 13, the plasma apparatus according to the present invention is performed in order to make the microwave radiating means 19 small, compact, and inexpensive in the first or second embodiment of the present invention. This can be achieved by incorporating the antenna 19 into a conventionally used spark plug or glow plug. In this case, a strong electric field is formed by branching the tip of the antenna 19 so as to surround the ignition / discharge portion.

[Fourth Embodiment of Plasma Apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 14, in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the plasma apparatus according to the present invention has a coaxial cable 26 for transmitting microwaves and a directionality for branching, isolating and coupling the microwaves. A coupler 27 and an adjuster (stub) 28 for adjusting the impedance of the entire transmission system are provided. For example, when the present invention is applied to an automobile engine, the microwave transmission device 17 is not installed in a portion where vibration or temperature does not fluctuate, instead of installing the microwave transmission device 17 in an engine portion where vibration is large. Durability and reliability can be improved. In addition, by providing a directional coupler, the energy from the microwave transmission device is branched into multiple points in the combustion chamber and on-line reactor (where the harmful substances are detoxified by plasma) and processing unevenness occurs. No device can be realized.

[Fourth Embodiment of Plasma Apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 13, in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the plasma apparatus according to the present invention has a coaxial cable 26 for transmitting microwaves and a directionality for branching, isolating and coupling the microwaves. A coupler 27 and an adjuster (stub) 28 for adjusting the impedance of the entire transmission system are provided. For example, when the present invention is applied to an automobile engine, the microwave transmission device 17 is not installed in a portion where vibration or temperature does not fluctuate, instead of installing the microwave transmission device 17 in an engine portion where vibration is large. Durability and reliability can be improved. In addition, by providing a directional coupler, the energy from the microwave transmission device is branched into multiple points in the combustion chamber and on-line reactor (where the harmful substances are detoxified by plasma) and processing unevenness occurs. No device can be realized.

[First embodiment of exhaust gas decomposition apparatus]
The exhaust gas decomposition apparatus according to the present invention has the same basic configuration as FIG. 12 or FIG. As shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 14, a microwave oscillation device 17, a microwave resonance cavity (cavity) 18 that resonates in a predetermined microwave band, and microwave radiation that radiates microwaves to the plasma generation region in the cavity. Means (microwave radiation antenna) 19, plasma ignition means 20 for partial discharge of gas 22 in the cavity to turn the gas into plasma, OH radicals generated by plasma generation, generation amount of O3, or emission intensity A measuring unit 23 for measuring, and a control unit 24 for controlling the input energy pattern of the microwave radiation unit and the plasma ignition unit are provided. The arrows shown in the figure indicate the flow direction of the exhaust gas fluid 25 to be processed or burned by plasma.

  As described in the first embodiment, the unburned gas, soot, NOX and other exhaust gases in the combustion / reaction chamber are generated by the carbon-carbon bond, carbon- The hydrogen bond is broken, and exhaust gas components are detoxified into stable harmless oxides such as NO 2 and CO 2 and carbon by chemical reaction by oxidation and OH radicals. In the measurement unit 6 provided on the downstream side, the OH radical, the amount of O3 generated, or the emission intensity is measured in real time by the OH sensor and the O3 sensor. By calculating this measurement result and controlling the microwave radiation means 19 and the plasma ignition means 20 to arbitrary values within a certain control range, the amount of harmful substances flowing through the plasma apparatus is controlled. Can do.

[Usage generation / sterilization / disinfection device, deodorization device usage example]
For example, when the present invention is applied to an aircraft jet engine, a large amount of OH radicals are generated by non-equilibrium plasma generated in the apparatus by generating high-pressure steam containing moisture by installing the apparatus in the vicinity of the jet engine exhaust cone. Can be converted to O3. In the past, air pollution was caused by exhaust gas in flight, but the exhaust gas was decomposed into harmless gas with a large amount of OH radicals and the strong oxidizing power of O3, and ozone in the stratosphere destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons. Large amounts of O3 can be generated for layer repair.

  Further, by installing this apparatus in the combustion chamber located at the rear stage of the jet engine high-pressure compressor, it becomes possible to promote the combustion of the compressed mixed fuel by a strong radical reaction. Thereby, it can contribute to environmental protection by releasing clean exhaust gas instead of air pollution exhaust gas. In the measurement unit 6 provided on the downstream side, the OH radical, the amount of O3 generated, or the emission intensity is measured in real time by the OH sensor and the O3 sensor. By calculating this measurement result and controlling the microwave radiation means and the plasma ignition means to arbitrary values within a certain control range, it is possible to control the amount of harmful substances generated by combustion control in the combustion chamber. it can.

[Usage example of internal combustion engine and plasma apparatus according to the present invention]
Even when biogas, ultra-diluted methane gas, ultra-low calorie gas, or the like is used as the fuel for the internal combustion engine or plasma apparatus according to the present invention, the chemical reaction is performed using the strong oxidizing power of OH radicals and O3 generated by plasma generation It can be promoted, and not only can a portion that can be burned only with an additional gas in a normal gas engine be burned, but also an improvement in output and power generation efficiency can be expected.

[Usage example of plasma apparatus according to the present invention]
By using the plasma apparatus of the present invention at atmospheric pressure and in the air, a large amount of spectrum light can be generated from N2 contained in the air. By condensing this spectrum and deriving it with a fiber or the like, it is possible to provide an inexpensive and compact N2 spectrum light source and pulse light source instead of the expensive laser light source conventionally used.
[Usage generation / sterilization / disinfection device and deodorization device according to the present invention]

  By installing the device of the present invention in a corner of the building at the building site and operating the building in a sealed state, removal of sick house materials, deodorization of various odors such as painting, adhesive paste, preservatives, It can disinfect and disinfect bacteria, germs, and allergens. In this case, the harmless air after-treatment can be discharged by installing the device of the present invention after the simple exhaust device at a building site or the like. Alternatively, by incorporating this device into a vacuum cleaner, which is a general household appliance, it is possible to decompose harmful substances on the cleaning surface with OH radicals and O3 generated by this device while cleaning. Here, the target object has been described as a building (public facility, building, gymnasium, auditorium, shopping mall, etc.), but the same effect can be obtained with any seal such as a car, train, cargo, airplane, ship, submarine, tank, etc. This effect can be utilized to the maximum extent by applying it to sterilization, deodorization, and disinfection of an object having a space. Furthermore, by adding H2O (moisture) at the time of plasma generation, more OH radicals can be generated and the effect can be increased.

  Furthermore, it can be applied to prevention of poisoning by carbon monoxide and air purification in public facilities, buildings, gymnasiums, auditoriums, shopping malls, tunnels, and other facilities, and by conversion from carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. It can contribute to lifesaving such as detoxification and smoke extinguishing effect.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microwave radiation antenna 2 Ignition / discharge part 3 Coaxial cable 4 Ground terminal part 5 Anode terminal 6 Cylinder 7 Piston 8 Combustion / reaction chamber 9 Recessed part 10 Intake port 11 Exhaust port 12 Valve 13 Periodic structure 14 Shaft part 15 Magnet 16 Insulating material 17 Microwave Oscillator 18 Microwave Resonance Cavity
19 Microwave radiation means (microwave radiation antenna)
20 Plasma ignition means 21 Plasma generation region 22 Fluid in cavity 23 Measuring section 24 Control means 25 Coaxial cable

Claims (6)

Microwave radiation means for radiating microwaves in a combustion / reaction region where a mixture of a reactive gas and an oxidizing gas exists in a heat engine or plasma apparatus, and the combustion / reaction of this mixture or a plasma reaction takes place When,
Ignition means for discharging and igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region;
Control means for controlling the microwave radiation means and the ignition means,
The microwave radiation means and the ignition means are controlled by the control means,
(1) a step in which the microwave radiation means radiates microwaves into the combustion / reaction region to cause plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction region;
(2) After the step (1), the ignition means discharges and ignites the air-fuel mixture, and (3) After the step (2), the microwave radiating means is in flame propagation. Repeating a cycle including a step of radiating a microwave to the mixture after ignition in the combustion / reaction region to cause plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction region ;
The microwave radiation means comprises a microwave radiation antenna;
The ignition means includes an ignition / discharge unit,
An ignition device characterized in that the microwave radiating antenna and the ignition / discharge unit are incorporated in an integrally formed insulator . 2. The ignition / discharge section performs spark discharge between an anode terminal to which a voltage is applied and a ground terminal section, and ignites an air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region. Ignition device. The ignition device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the plasma discharge is performed with an intensity equal to or lower than an ignition energy. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder and a piston,
A mixture of a reactive gas and an oxidizing gas is supplied, and a combustion / reaction chamber in which combustion / reaction of this mixture or plasma reaction is performed;
Microwave radiation means for radiating microwaves in a combustion / reaction region where a mixture of a reactive gas and an oxidizing gas exists in a heat engine or plasma apparatus, and the combustion / reaction of this mixture or a plasma reaction takes place ,
Ignition means for discharging and igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion / reaction region; and
Control means for controlling the microwave radiation means and the ignition means,
The microwave radiation means and the ignition means are controlled by the control means,
(1) a step in which the microwave radiation means radiates microwaves into the combustion / reaction region to cause plasma discharge in the combustion / reaction region;
(2) After the step (1), the ignition means discharges and ignites the mixture, and
(3) After the step (2), during the propagation of flame, the microwave radiating means radiates microwaves to the mixture after ignition in the combustion / reaction region, and in the combustion / reaction region An ignition device that repeats a cycle including a step of causing plasma discharge ,
A concave portion for preventing leakage of the microwave is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the piston in sliding contact with the inner wall of the cylinder. The internal combustion engine according to claim 4 , wherein the recess is a groove having a groove width of λ / 8 or less. The internal combustion engine according to claim 5 , wherein the recess is an intermittent annular groove surrounding the outer peripheral surface.

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