WO2023148044A1

WO2023148044A1 - Combustion device comprising an oxygen concentrator

Info

Publication number: WO2023148044A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/051574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno SANGLE-FERRIERE
Original assignee: Sangle Ferriere Bruno
Priority date: 2022-02-03
Filing date: 2023-01-23
Publication date: 2023-08-10
Also published as: FR3132327A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a combustion device (1) comprising: - at least one oxygen concentrator (2) producing a substantially nitrogen-free fuel (6) from a mixture of atmospheric gases; - a fuel source (4); - at least one combustion chamber (5), - an oxidiser tank (90), which is preferably pressurised, the oxidiser tank (90) being, before starting the device (1), filled with dioxygen, dioxygen-enriched air, and/or dioxygen-enriched exhaust gas, the oxidiser tank (90) comprising at most 20% by weight, preferably at most 10% by weight, of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds, an intake system (10) enabling a mixture of fuel (4), oxidiser (6) produced by the oxygen concentrator (2) and gases contained in the oxidiser tank (90) to be introduced into the combustion chamber (5) in predetermined proportions.

Description

Title: Combustion device comprising an oxygen concentrator.

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of combustion engines and other combustion devices, in particular for propulsion, automotive traction or heating. The invention relates in particular to a combustion device and a hybrid motorization system comprising such a device.

Prior technique

Combustion devices work by converting the heat produced by the combustion of a mixture of atmospheric gases and fuel into mechanical and/or heating energy.

Due to the combustion of fuel and oxidizer in the presence of nitrogen contained in the air, nitrogen oxides often called NOx are formed.

In addition, some fuels, such as diesel or fuel oil, also contain nitrogen molecules, which increases the production of nitrogen oxides during combustion. These compounds are particularly polluting and dangerous to health.

To limit the release of nitrogen oxides, it is known to use catalysts or selective catalytic reduction.

These technologies increase the cost of use and restrict the circulation of exhaust gases by introducing pressure drops, reducing the efficiency of the device.

US Pat. No. 6,742,507 describes an internal combustion engine powered by an oxygen-rich oxidant produced with a zeolite oxygen concentrator. The engine can run on gasoline, hydrogen, diesel or even alcohol. The combination of the oxygen concentrator and a nitrogen-free fuel, such as alcohol or hydrogen, greatly limits the production of nitrogen oxides and fine particles. However, the engine does not always allow the necessary oxidizer to be quickly supplied, for example for acceleration, during which the power developed by the engine can be increased tenfold, or even to supply oxidizer during start-up, the engine then not producing any gas. exhaust. The engine then requires either an air supply or an oversized oxygen concentrator capable of supplying oxygen in a quantity equal to the quantity of air required during this start-up phase. Indeed, in the absence of a necessary volume of oxidizer, usually composed of air, the engine risks overheating or the combustion being abnormally violent.

US 2011/023841 describes a combustion unit in which a fuel is burned with a carrier gas comprising a high concentration of argon. Such a carrier gas is however unsuitable because argon is an expensive gas and needs to be stored in a special bottle, which complicates the use of a vehicle using such a device.

There is a need to have a combustion device limiting the production of nitrogen oxides that can be adapted to an existing engine and thus take advantage as far as possible of the current production capacities of manufacturers while maintaining a service life important to the device.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to meet this need and it achieves this in whole or in part thanks to, according to one of its aspects, a combustion device comprising:

- at least one oxygen concentrator producing a substantially nitrogen-free oxidizer from an atmospheric gas mixture,

- a source of fuel,

- at least one combustion chamber,

- an oxidizer tank, preferably under pressure, said oxidizer tank preferably being, before starting the device, filled with dioxygen, oxygen-enriched air, and/or dioxygen-enriched exhaust gas, the tank of oxidizer comprising at most 20%, better still at most 10%, even better still at most 5% by mass of nitrogen and nitrogen compounds,

- an intake system for introducing, in predetermined proportions, a mixture of fuel, oxidizer produced by the oxygen concentrator and gas contained in the oxidizer tank into said at least one combustion chamber.

By "substantially nitrogen-free" it should be understood that the residual content of nitrogen and nitrogen compounds, in particular nitrogen oxides, at atmospheric pressure and at 20° C. is less than or equal to 10% by volume, better still 5% better at 1%. The use of an oxygen concentrator greatly reduces the production of fine particles and nitrogen oxides. Indeed, due to the large amount of oxidizer, the mixture of fuel and oxidizer is slightly lean in fuel, which promotes good combustion. In addition, the amount of nitrogen in the mixture of fuel and oxidizer is greatly reduced, or even zero.

Thus, the need to use particulate filters and catalysts to treat exhaust fumes or gases is limited, if not zero. The circulation of exhaust gases is also facilitated.

In addition, given that on start-up the oxidizer tank contains a gas concentrated in oxygen, or a mixture of substantially non-nitrogenous exhaust gases and oxygen, the first combustions can be carried out by limiting the production of oxides of nitrogen before the oxygen concentrator reaches full charge.

This oxidizer reservoir also allows the device to be more responsive to changes in load and speed, phases in which the quantity of oxidizer produced by the oxygen concentrator may not be sufficient during a short instant of change of speed.

During decreases in RPM and/or device load, the oxygen concentrator may produce excess oxidizer as it adjusts to the changes. This excess quantity can be used to feed the oxidizer tank.

The environmental impact of the device according to the invention is therefore reduced compared to the prior arts mentioned above.

The device can be a combustion engine or a boiler.

The device according to the invention can be used for automobile propulsion or traction, directly or indirectly. The device can also be used as an electrical generator or to produce mechanical energy or heat, for example for industry or individuals.

The device preferably comprises an exhaust gas recirculation system, called “EGR”.

In the case of an engine, said at least one combustion chamber may comprise a hollow cylinder, the engine comprising a piston sliding in said cylinder.

In the case of an engine, the device may include a power transmission shaft. The device may comprise a start-up system configured to start the device, the start-up system supplying the oxidizer tank with air enriched with dioxygen, or with dioxygen using the oxygen concentrator before any combustion.

Sensors

The device may comprise one or more sensors, including: a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the combustion chamber the proportion of dinitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, in particular NOx, contained in the exhaust gas, a sensor making it possible to detect the proportion of dinitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, in particular NOx, contained in the oxidizer tank, a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the combustion chamber the proportion of dioxygen contained in the exhaust gas, a sensor making it possible to detect the proportion of dioxygen contained in the oxidizer tank, a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the oxygen concentrator the proportion of dinitrogen or of nitrogenous compounds, in particular NOx, contained in the oxidizer, a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the oxygen concentrator oxygen the proportion of dioxygen contained in the oxidizer.

The device may comprise a control unit allowing regulation of the device, in particular using information coming from the aforementioned sensor or sensors.

Oxygen concentrator

The oxygen concentrator preferably comprises at least 0.3 L of zeolites per 1 kW of average engine or calorific power, that is to say developed on average by the device, for example an engine or a boiler, during its use.

Oxygen concentration can be done in one or more steps. It is possible to use several oxygen concentrators in parallel or in series in order to distribute the volume of zeolites. Using oxygen concentrators in series results in higher oxygen purity.

For example, a first concentrator can generate a gas concentrated at 95% oxygen and a second concentrator generates a gas concentrated at 99% oxygen from the gas concentrated at 95% oxygen. The oxygen concentrator is advantageously supplied with an atmospheric gas mixture filtered by an Air Purifier by UV Photocatalysis allowing in particular to eliminate the traces of nitrogen oxides present in the air, for example by using a device similar to the " Biotray® UV-C Photocatalysis Air Purifier, the UV-C lamp can also be a UV lamp emitting at wavelengths below 390 nm.

The engine may include a zeolite regeneration system in order to maintain good filtration of nitrogen particles. During regeneration, the device can be supplied with oxidizer thanks to the gases accumulated in the oxidizer tank.

Fuel tank

The tank can be, at least in part, fed and filled by said at least one oxygen concentrator. The oxygen concentrator can be used to fill the tank with oxidizer if it is empty or after it has been emptied following the detection of a rate of presence of nitrogen and/or nitrogen compounds greater than a prefixed threshold, for example 1%.

The oxidizer tank can be emptied following the detection of a rate of presence of nitrogen and/or nitrogenous compounds greater than a prefixed threshold, for example greater than 10% by volume, in particular greater than 5% by volume, of preferably greater than 1% by volume.

The oxidant reservoir, preferably under pressure, can advantageously temporarily supply said at least one combustion chamber with a quantity of oxidant in excess of the production capacity of said at least one oxygen concentrator.

The oxidizer tank can be supplied and filled, at least in part, with air, in particular in the event of increased demand for oxidizer, for example when said tank is empty and the oxidizer requirements are greater than the production capacity of the concentrator. 'oxygen.

The oxidizer tank can be fed and filled, at least in part, with exhaust gas, in particular during operation of the device.

In this case, the device may include a regulating valve making it possible to control the exhaust gas supply flow rate in the oxidizer tank.

Said regulating valve can be controlled so that the mass proportion of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds in said oxidizer tank remains below 20%, better less than 10%, better less than 5%, preferably less than 1%, and the oxygen concentration greater than another predefined threshold, in particular at least 10% by mass, or even at least 20%, better at less than 30% oxygen.

The oxidizer tank can be supplied and filled by said at least one oxygen concentrator and with exhaust gas, in particular during operation of the device, simultaneously or alternately.

The oxidizer tank may be at a pressure greater than 1 bar, in particular greater than 2 bar. The oxidizer tank may comprise a system making it possible to keep it under pressure, for example by dynamically reducing the volume of the tank, and/or by compressors compressing one or more of the gases which fill it.

The oxidizer tank may include a pressure reducer, allowing it to compress the gas beyond its operating pressures, and/or include several enclosures maintained at different pressures, in particular to allow it to accumulate large quantities of oxidizer in the speakers most under pressure.

The device may include an exhaust gas compressor between the combustion chamber and the oxidizer tank. This compressor may be a turbocharger driven by part of the exhaust gases.

The oxidizer tank may comprise at least 50%, better still at least 70%, better still at least 80% exhaust gas at rated speed.

The oxidizer tank is advantageously under pressure when the device is stopped.

The oxidizer tank may have a useful volume of between 1 1 and 201.

Admissions system

The device may comprise a probe, preferably placed at an inlet into the system for admitting oxidizer produced by the oxygen and/or gas concentrator contained in the oxidizer tank, making it possible to measure the oxygen concentration of the oxidizer produced by the oxygen concentrator and/or the gas contained in the oxidizer tank as well as its pressure and its volume flow rate. Such a probe can communicate with a control unit making it possible, depending on the data measured by the probe, to dynamically adjust an automatic pressure regulation valve or the speed of rotation of an oxidizer compressor coming from the oxidizer tank, and optionally from the oxygen and air concentrator captured outside the device, to optimize combustion in said at least one combustion chamber.

The intake system can make it possible to stop or limit the introduction into the combustion chamber of gases contained in the oxidizer tank if the mass proportion of nitrogen and nitrogenous components in said oxidizer tank is greater than a predefined threshold , in particular greater than 20%, better still greater than 10%, even better greater than 5%.

The admission system can make it possible to stop or limit the introduction into the combustion chamber of gases contained in the oxidizer tank if the mass proportion of oxygen in said oxidizer tank is below a predefined threshold, in particular below 10 %, better less than 20%, better less than 30%.

The intake system may comprise a casing for an air filter comprising two partial or total openings respectively for the inlet and the outlet of the air flow. Such an air filter housing can receive an air filter. The flow of air leaving the air filter housing can then be used as oxidizer in said at least one combustion chamber.

The device may comprise an intake connection inserted in the casing for an air filter to replace the air filter. The inlet connection allows a flow of a mixture of oxidizer from said at least one oxygen concentrator and/or gas contained in the oxidizer tank to said at least one combustion chamber through the partial or total opening of the housing forming an outlet. In this case, said at least one oxygen concentrator may include a system for filtering the atmospheric gas mixture.

The device may comprise an exhaust connection connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber. The exhaust connection makes it possible to divide the flow of exhaust gases resulting from combustion in the combustion chamber to supply, at least occasionally, the oxidizer tank with exhaust gases.

The device can be obtained by modifying (retrofitting) a combustion device operating with a mixture of fuel and air, compressed or not. In this case, the air filter of the device is replaced by the aforementioned inlet connection and the outlet of the combustion chamber is connected to the aforementioned exhaust connection. The operation of certain systems of the combustion device, in particular the intake system, can be adapted, for example to manage the supply to the oxidizer tank, to introduce gases contained in the oxidizer tank into the combustion chamber, by modifying the quantity of fuel injected, the quantity of oxidizer injected, the ratio between fuel and oxidizer, and /or, if applicable, the opening of the exhaust gas recirculation system.

The intake system preferably introduces at least 20% by mass, in particular at least 40% by mass, of gases contained in the oxidizer tank into said at least one combustion chamber, these gases forming a so-called carrier gas. In this way, the amount of oxygen in the combustion chamber can be reduced, which allows a better diffusion of the combustion in the chamber. The gases contained in the oxidizer tank comprising at most 20%, better still at most 10%, even better still at most 1% by mass of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds, the production of nitrogen oxides remains greatly limited, despite the use of the carrier gas.

The carrier gas is preferably composed of at least 70% better at least 80% by mass of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Since oxygen and carbon dioxide have similar specific heat capacities, the distribution of heat in the combustion chamber is substantially constant during operation of the device, despite the variations in proportions between oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Advantageously, the carrier gas comprises less than 1% by mass of argon. Indeed, the specific heat capacity of argon is much lower than that of oxygen. Too high a concentration of argon can make the heat distribution in the combustion chamber variable during operation of the device. In addition, argon is an expensive and difficult gas to produce.

Combustion

The oxidant injected into the combustion chamber, originating from the oxidant produced by the oxygen concentrator and/or from gases contained in the oxidizer tank and/or from the air, may advantageously comprise at least 20% by volume of oxygen. The oxidizer may also include argon or other rare gases present in the atmosphere.

Combustion advantageously takes place with a ratio between the quantity of oxygen and the quantity of fuel higher, in particular by 15%, than the ratio between the quantity of oxygen and the quantity of fuel for stoichiometric combustion. This Oxygen boost helps improve the quality of combustion, reducing the production of fine particles.

The device can operate with fuels of fossil or vegetable origin, or mixtures of fuels of fossil origin and of vegetable origin, or in certain situations, in degraded mode, without using the oxygen concentrator or not using it. using only partially.

The device can also work with synthetic fuels, for example with hydrogen.

Said fuel can be diesel, in particular biodiesel, ethanol, gasoline, hydrogen or a mixture thereof.

For example, the device can operate with biodiesel or biofuel. In this case the fuel, in particular biodiesel or bio-fuel oil, may comprise a methyl ester.

“Biodiesel” means diesel of plant origin, in particular produced from rapeseed or sunflower seeds.

“Bio-fuel oil” means fuel oil of vegetable origin, in particular produced from rapeseed or sunflower seeds.

The device may comprise a system for ozonizing the oxidizer produced by the oxygen concentrator and/or the gas contained in the oxidizer tank.

Kit for combustion device

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, is a modification kit (retrofit) to be installed on an existing combustion device comprising:

- at least one combustion chamber for a mixture of fuel and oxidizer, and

- an intake system for introducing a fuel and an oxidizer into said at least one combustion chamber.

The kit includes:

- at least one oxygen concentrator making it possible to produce a substantially nitrogen-free oxidizer from an atmospheric gaseous mixture,

- an oxidizer tank, - an inlet link making it possible to connect said at least one oxygen concentrator and said oxidizer tank to the inlet system of the combustion device,

- an exhaust connection connecting the outlet of the combustion chamber to the oxidizer tank.

When the combustion device comprises an air filter casing, comprising two air flow inlet and outlet openings respectively, the intake connection can be inserted into the air filter casing to replace a filter air.

Hybrid drive system

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, in combination with the foregoing, is a hybrid or rechargeable hybrid motorization system comprising at least one device according to the invention, as defined previously, said at least one device being a motor, and at least one additional electric motor.

Such a hybrid engine system makes it possible to combine the advantages of the engine according to the invention, that is to say with little or no production of fine particles and nitrogen oxides, while optimizing the specific consumption.

Specific fuel consumption is the amount of fuel needed to produce a given amount of energy. Specific fuel consumption varies with engine speed and load.

By optimizing the specific consumption, the production of carbon dioxide is minimized.

Boilers

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, in combination with the foregoing, is a boiler comprising a device according to the invention, as defined previously.

The boiler can be used, for example, for heating industrial or heating units or for regenerating oxidizers or fuels from fuel cells.

Brief description of the drawings The invention can be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which

[Fig 1] Figure 1 schematically shows a device forming a heat engine according to the invention,

[Fig 2] Figure 2 schematically shows a device forming a boiler according to the invention,

[Fig 3] Figure 3 recalls the chemical reaction for the production of biodiesel,

[Fig 4] Figure 4 shows, schematically and partially, a device similar to that of Figure 1, and

[Fig 5] Figure 5 schematically shows an example of a hybrid motorization system according to the invention.

detailed description

In the remainder of the description, identical elements or identical functions bear the same reference sign. For the purpose of conciseness of the present description, they are not described with regard to each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described.

In the figures, the actual proportions have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

There is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 two combustion devices 1 according to the invention. The example in Figure 1 corresponds to a 60 four-stroke engine and the example in Figure 2 to a 70 oil-fired boiler.

Each device 1 comprises a zeolite oxygen concentrator 2, producing a nitrogen-free oxidant 6 from an atmospheric gas mixture. The oxidant 6 produced comprises for example at least 99% oxygen.

In the example of Figure 1, the oxygen concentrator 2 is supplied with an atmospheric gas mixture filtered by an Air Purifier by UV Photocatalysis.

For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the oxygen concentrator 2 is supplied with compressed atmospheric gas mixture using a compressor 363. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the oxidant 6 produced by the oxygen concentrator 2 is compressed using a compressor 364, for example a turbo-compressor, at the outlet of the oxygen concentrator 2.

The oxygen concentrator 2 comprises, for example, a zeolite regeneration system.

Each device 1 comprises a fuel source 4 in a tank 3. In the example of figure 1, the tank 3 is filled with a biodiesel and in the example of figure 2 with bio-fuel oil. The devices 1 can also operate if necessary with fuels of fossil origin, or with mixtures of fuels of fossil origin and of vegetable origin, or with synthetic fuels, for example hydrogen.

As illustrated in Figure 3, biodiesel is obtained, in a manner known per se, by a chemical reaction between triglyceride 100, originating from rapeseed or sunflower seeds for example, with methanol 101. This reaction produces glycerol 102 ( alcohol) and methyl esters 103 (biodiesel).

Each device 1 also comprises a combustion chamber 5 for a mixture of fuel 4 and a mixture of oxidant 390 formed from a mixture of oxidant 6 produced by the oxygen concentrator 2 and/or of gases contained in the tank 90 and/or, in some cases, outside air.

In the example of Figure 1, the combustion chamber 5 comprises a hollow cylinder 15 in which a piston 21 slides to transmit part of the combustion energy to a power transmission shaft 22, using connecting rods 23.

In the example of Figure 2, the combustion chamber 5 includes a heat exchanger 30, for example with a heating water circuit.

Each device 1 comprises a reservoir 90 of pressurized oxidizer, the useful volume of which is between 1 1 and 20 1. Said reservoir 90 is, before the start-up of the device 1, filled with dioxygen, air enriched with dioxygen, and/ or exhaust gas enriched in dioxygen. The tank 90 comprises, for example, at most 10% by mass of nitrogen and nitrogen compounds and at least 20% of dioxygen.

The tank 90 is, for example, partially fed and filled with exhaust gas. The device 1 comprises a regulating valve 300 making it possible to control the exhaust gas supply flow rate in the tank 90, the valve 300 being controlled so that the proportion by mass of nitrogen and of nitrogenous compounds in said reservoir 90 remains below 10%, and the oxygen concentration above another predefined threshold, for example above 20%.

Device 1 comprises an exhaust gas compressor 302 between combustion chamber 5 and reservoir 90.

This compressor 302 is, in the device la of FIG. 1, a turbocharger positioned downstream of the valve 300.

In the device 1b of figure 2, the compressor is positioned upstream of the valve 300.

For example, the reservoir 90 includes at its outlet a replenishment loop 360 allowing the gases leaving the reservoir 90 to be reintroduced into the reservoir 90. This replenishment loop 360 may include a valve 361 which makes it possible to regulate from 0% to 100% its opening. Such a replenishment loop 360 makes it possible to homogenize the gases extracted from the tank 90 which are sent to the combustion chamber 5.

Reservoir 90 is, for example, also partially supplied and filled by said at least one oxygen concentrator 2.

Reservoir 90 can temporarily supply said combustion chamber 5 with a quantity of oxidant in excess of the production capacity of oxygen concentrator 2 via line 308.

In the example of FIG. 1, the device la comprises a valve 301 which, in certain configurations, makes it possible to fill the tank 90 with oxidizer 6 produced by the oxygen concentrator 2.

In the example of Figure 2, the reservoir 90 includes an inlet valve 91 directly connected to the oxygen concentrator 2 and allowing the reservoir 90 to be filled.

Reservoir 90 is, for example, at a pressure of 2 bar. The tank 90 comprises for example a system making it possible to maintain it under pressure, for example by dynamically reducing the volume of the tank 90, for example using a sliding piston in a cylinder or with an inflatable bladder.

Reservoir 90 is maintained at a pressure of 2 bar when device 1 is stopped.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tank 90 comprises several enclosures 370, for example three, maintained at different pressures in particular to allow it to accumulate large quantities of oxidizer in the enclosures 370 more under pressure, while the exhaust gas used directly as oxidizer does not need to be compressed as much. The most pressurized enclosure 370 is the one at the inlet of the tank 90, the least pressurized is the one at the outlet and the intermediate enclosure is at an intermediate pressure.

Reservoir 90 may include regulators 371 between enclosures 370.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a pipe 500 can go from the compressor 364 to each of the enclosures 370 of the tank 90. This pipe 500 comprises a series of valves 501, for example three, each allowing the supply of oxygen in a respective enclosure 370. In this case, a fine control of the quantity of oxygen supplied to the tank 90 can be achieved.

Each device 1 also comprises an intake system 10 making it possible to introduce in predetermined proportions a mixture of fuel 4 and mixture of oxidizers 390 into the combustion chamber 5.

The intake system 10 typically comprises a fuel injector 11 4, an intake butterfly valve 12 and an exhaust butterfly valve 13.

The intake system 10 makes it possible to carry out different stages of the cycle of each device 1, namely the injection of the fuel 4 and of the mixture of oxidizers 390 into the combustion chamber 5 and, after combustion, the exhaust of the combustion gases. 'exhaust.

The admission system 10 makes it possible, for example, to stop or limit the introduction into the combustion chamber 5 of gases contained in the tank 90 if the mass proportion of nitrogen and nitrogenous components in the mixture of oxidizers 390 and /or the tank 90 is greater than a predefined threshold, for example is greater than 10%.

The admission system 10 makes it possible, for example, to stop or limit the introduction into the combustion chamber 5 of gases contained in the tank 90 if the proportion by mass of oxygen in said tank 90 or in the mixture of oxidants 390 is below a predefined threshold, for example below 20%.

In each example, the intake system 10 comprises a casing 40 for an air filter comprising two openings respectively for the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 of the air flow. The opening 41 is preferably closed but can be opened in particular in the event of failure of the device supplying the mixture of oxidizers 390. Each device 1 comprises an inlet connection 45 inserted in the casing 40 for the air filter. The link admission 45 allows a flow of the mixture of oxidizers 390 of oxidizer 6 of said at least one oxygen concentrator 2 and/or of gas contained in the tank 90 towards the combustion chamber 5 through the opening 42 of the casing forming an exit. The oxygen concentrator 2 includes a system for filtering the atmospheric gas mixture.

The device 1 also comprises an exhaust connection 305 connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber 5. The exhaust connection 305, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, makes it possible to divide the flow of exhaust gases, coming combustion in the combustion chamber 5, to supply, at least occasionally, the tank 90 with exhaust gas.

For example, the flow of exhaust gases is divided into two in a main pipe 306, in which the exhaust gases will be evacuated to the outside, and in an auxiliary pipe 307, to feed the tank 90, when necessary. .

For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the tank 90 may include an air inlet 366 compressed with a compressor 367. The tank 90 can thus be supplied and filled, at least in part, with air, in particular in the event of demand. increased in oxidant, for example when said tank 90 is empty and the oxidant requirements are greater than the production capacity of the oxygen concentrator 2.

For example, the compressor 367 is reversible which can make it possible to empty the tank 90, in particular following the detection of a rate of presence of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds greater than a prefixed threshold, for example greater than 10% by volume , in particular greater than 5% by volume, preferably greater than 1% by volume.

In the example of FIG. 1, the valve 301 allows the reservoir 90 to be supplied by the oxygen concentrator 2 or to supply the intake system 10 with a mixture of oxidant 6 produced by the oxygen concentrator. oxygen 2 and gas contained in tank 90. Valve 301 can allow oxygen concentrator 2 to supply intake system 10 and tank 90 in parallel.

In the example of Figure 2, the tank 90 includes a supply valve 92 for supplying gases contained in the tank 90 to the intake system 10.

For example, as shown in Figure 2, intake system 10 may include an additional air inlet 365, independent of oxygen concentrator 2 and reservoir 90. In the example of FIG. 2, the oxidant which enters the combustion chamber 5 can come only from the reservoir 90 or only from the oxygen concentrator 2 or only from the air inlet 365. Thus, in the event of a breakdown of the tank 90 and/or of the oxygen concentrator 2 or when the tank 90 is not very full, it is always possible to use the device 1, in degraded mode, by supplying the combustion chamber 5 directly with air.

The tank 90 comprises, for example, at least 80% of exhaust gases at nominal speed.

The intake system introduces, for example, at least 20% by mass of the gas contained in the reservoir 90 into the combustion chamber 5, these gases forming a so-called carrier gas.

The carrier gas is, for example, composed of at least 80% by mass of oxygen and carbon dioxide and comprises less than 1% by mass of argon.

For example, the carrier gas comprises, in nominal conditions, at least 70% by mass of carbon dioxide.

The device 1 of FIG. 1 comprises a probe 80, preferably placed at an inlet 81 of the mixture of oxidizers 390 in the admission system 10. The probe 80 makes it possible to measure the oxygen concentration of the mixture as well as its pressure and its volume flow rate.

In this example, the probe 80 communicates with a control unit 82 making it possible, depending on the data measured by the probe 80, to dynamically adjust the speed of rotation of an oxidizer compressor 85 arranged after the oxygen concentrator 2 and tank 90, to optimize combustion in said at least one combustion chamber 5.

The device 1 can also comprise one or more sensors, among which: a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the combustion chamber 5 the proportion of dinitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, in particular of NOx, contained in the exhaust gas, a sensor making it possible to detect the proportion of dinitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, in particular NOx, contained in the mixture of oxidizers 390 at the inlet of the admission system 10, a sensor making it possible to detect the proportion of dinitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, in particular NOx, contained in the reservoir 90, a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the combustion chamber 5 the proportion of dioxygen contained in the exhaust gas, a sensor making it possible to detect the proportion of dioxygen contained in the tank 90, a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the oxygen concentrator 2 the proportion of dinitrogen or nitrogenous compounds, in particular NOx, contained in the oxidizer 6, a sensor making it possible to detect at the outlet of the oxygen concentrator 2 the proportion of dioxygen contained in the oxidizer 6.

Device 1 can be regulated by control unit 82 using information from the aforementioned sensor(s) and probe 80.

Device 1b in FIG. 2 comprises an ozonation system 310 for oxidizer 6 and/or gas contained in reservoir 90 upstream of intake butterfly valve 12 and downstream of supply valve 92.

Each device 1 of Figures 1 and 2 comprises an exhaust gas recirculation system 20, called EGR system. This system 20 makes it possible to inject gases from a previous combustion into the combustion chamber 5, for example to optimize combustion in the combustion chamber 5.

The device 1b of FIG. 2 comprises a start-up system 350 configured to start the device 1. The start-up system 350 supplies, before or during start-up, the reservoir 90 with air enriched with oxygen, or with oxygen using the concentrator of oxygen 2 before any combustion in the combustion chamber 5.

In the example of figure 1, the device la is obtained by modifying a combustion device operating with a mixture of fuel and air, compressed or not, in this example a diesel engine of a production car. In this example, the diesel engine air filter from a production car has been replaced with intake link 45.

Additionally, the combustion chamber outlet is modified to add the 305 exhaust link.

For example, the operation of certain systems of the combustion device 1, in particular the intake system 10, can be adapted, for example to manage supplying tank 90, to introduce gases contained in tank 90 into combustion chamber 5, by modifying the quantity of fuel 4 injected, the quantity of oxidant mixture 390 injected, the ratio between fuel 4 and the mixture of oxidizers 390, and/or, if necessary, the opening of the exhaust gas recirculation system.

For example, the modification is obtained by using a kit 50 according to the invention comprising the oxygen concentrator 2, the reservoir 90, the intake link 45 and the exhaust link 305.

For example, as in device la in Figure 1, the original air intake 510 is retained.

In the example of Figure 1, motor 60 produces an average power of 73 kW, or about 100 horsepower. Assuming the chemical formula of biodiesel is C12H24 and its lower calorific value, or LCV, is 37.8 MJ/kg, its molar calorific value is 6.38 MJ/mol. Thus, the engine 60 in this example consumes approximately 11.4 mmol/s of fuel 4. Assuming that the combustion reaction is written C12H24 + 6O2 = 12C + I2H2O, the engine 60 consumes approximately 68.6 mmol/s of dioxygen, i.e. approximately 1.521/s at atmospheric pressure.

Knowing that with 0.55 1 of zeolites it is possible to produce approximately 0.033 1/s of oxygen at atmospheric pressure, it is sufficient for the concentrator to contain at least approximately 25 1 of zeolites, i.e. 0.34 L of zeolites for 1 kW of engine power.

In the same example, if it is desired that the engine 60 of FIG. 1 be supercharged with oxygen by 15%, that is to say that combustion takes place with a ratio between the quantity of oxidizer 6 and the quantity of fuel 4 15% greater than the ratio between the quantity of oxidant 6 and the quantity of fuel 4 for stoichiometric combustion, the oxygen concentrator 2 preferably comprises 30L of zeolites.

It is possible to use several oxygen concentrators 2 in parallel in order to distribute the volume of zeolites. The use of concentrators in series makes it possible to obtain greater oxygen purity.

It is also possible to use the device 1 according to the invention in a hybrid motorization system 200 as for example represented in FIG. 5, the device 1 being, for example, a hydrogen engine 60 .

In this example, the engine 60 transmits its power to an electric generator

201 connected to a battery 202. The battery powers an electric motor 203 which transmits mechanical power to a wheel 205 using a shaft 204.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

In particular, the operation of the engine may be different, for example two-stroke. Mechanical power can be transmitted directly from the connected drive shaft to a generating electromechanical device or motor to generate electricity and fill a battery or alternatively use battery electricity to propel or help propel a vehicle .

The number of combustion chambers can be different, for example be between 2 and 10.

The device can operate with another fuel, for example a non-nitrogen gas, gasoline, ethanol or fuel oil.

The hybrid motorization system can be different, for example include other electric motors or operate in series. The device may comprise a plurality of reservoirs 90, for example between 2 and 5 reservoirs 90.

Claims

1. Combustion device (1) comprising: at least one oxygen concentrator (2) producing a substantially nitrogen-free oxidizer (6) from an atmospheric gaseous mixture, a fuel source (4), at least one combustion chamber (5), a tank (90) of oxidant, preferably under pressure, said tank (90) of oxidant being, before starting the device (1), filled with dioxygen, air enriched in dioxygen, and /or exhaust gas enriched in dioxygen, the tank (90) of oxidizer comprising at most 20%, better still at most 10% by mass of nitrogen and nitrogen compounds, an admission system (10) making it possible to introducing, in predetermined proportions, a mixture of fuel (4), oxidizer (6) produced by the oxygen concentrator (2) and gases contained in the oxidizer tank (90) into said at least one combustion chamber (5).

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, the tank (90) of oxidizer being able to be supplied and filled, at least in part, with exhaust gas, the device (1) comprising a valve (300) for regulating controlling the exhaust gas feed rate in the oxidizer tank (90), the regulating valve (300) being controlled so that the mass proportion of nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds in said tank (90 ) of oxidant remains less than 20%, better still less than 10%, and the oxygen concentration above another predefined threshold, in particular at least 10% by mass, better still at least 20%.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the intake system (10) making it possible to stop or limit the introduction into the combustion chamber (5) of gases contained in the tank (90) of oxidizer if the mass proportion of nitrogen and nitrogenous components in said oxidizer tank is greater than a predefined threshold, in particular greater than 20%, better still greater than 10%.

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the intake system (10) making it possible to stop or limit the introduction into the combustion chamber (5) of gases contained in the tank (90) of oxidizer if the proportion in mass of oxygen in said oxidizer tank (90) is less than a predefined threshold, in particular less than 10%, better still less than 20%.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (90) of oxidizer is pressurized when the device (1) is stopped.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a starting system (350) configured to start the device (1), the starting system (350) supplying the tank (90) of oxidizer with enriched air in oxygen, or in oxygen using the oxygen concentrator (2) before any combustion.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tank (90) of oxidant comprises at least 50%, better still at least 70%, even better still at least 80% of exhaust gas at nominal speed. .

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the oxygen concentrator (2) comprising at least 0.3 L of zeolites for 1 kW of motor or calorific power.

9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an exhaust gas recirculation system (20), called “EGR”.

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the combustion takes place with a ratio between the mass quantity of oxygen and the quantity of fuel (4) greater, in particular by 15%, than the ratio between the quantity of oxygen and the amount of fuel (4) for stoichiometric combustion.

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a zeolite oxygen concentrator 2 and a zeolite regeneration system.

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the intake system (10) comprising a casing (40) for the air filter comprising two partial or total openings respectively inlet (41) and outlet ( 42) of air flow, the device (1) comprising an inlet connection (45) inserted in the casing (40) for the air filter, the inlet connection (45) allowing a flow of a mixture of oxidizer (6) from said at least one oxygen (2) and/or gas concentrator contained in the oxidizer tank (90) towards said at least one combustion chamber (5) through the partial or total opening of the housing (40) forming an outlet (42).

13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an exhaust connection (305) connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber (5), the exhaust connection (305) making it possible to divide the flow of exhaust gas resulting from the combustion in the combustion chamber (5) to supply, at least occasionally, the tank (90) of oxidizer with exhaust gas.

14. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the oxygen concentrator (2) being supplied with an atmospheric gas mixture filtered by an Air Purifier by UV Photocatalysis.

15. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a probe (80), preferably disposed at an inlet (81) in the admission system (10) of oxidant (6) produced by the concentrator of oxygen (2) and/or gas contained in the oxidant reservoir (90), making it possible to measure the oxygen concentration of the oxidant (6) produced by the oxygen concentrator (2) and/or of the gas contained in the tank (90) of oxidant as well as its pressure and its volume flow, the probe (80) being able to communicate with a control unit (82) making it possible, according to the data measured by the probe (80), to dynamically adjust a valve automatic pressure regulation or the speed of rotation of an oxidizer compressor (85) coming from the oxidizer reservoir (90) and, optionally, from the oxygen concentrator (2) and air captured outside the device ( 1), to optimize combustion in said at least one combustion chamber (5).

16. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reservoir (90) of oxidizer is, at least in part, fed and filled by said at least one oxygen concentrator (2), preferably the oxidizer tank (90) momentarily supplying said at least one combustion chamber (5) with a quantity of oxidant in excess of the production capacity of said at least one oxygen concentrator (2).

17. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said fuel (4) being diesel, in particular biodiesel, ethanol, gasoline, hydrogen or a mixture thereof.

18. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an ozonation system (310) for the oxidant (6) produced by the oxygen concentrator (2) and/or gas contained in the reservoir (90 ) of oxidizer.

19. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the device (1) being a combustion engine or a boiler.

20. Hybrid or rechargeable hybrid motorization system (200) comprising at least one device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, said at least one device (1) being a motor, and at least one electric motor (203 ).