Apparatus and method for operating an internal combustion engine to reduce free oxygen contained within engine exhaust gas
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine to reduce the presence of free oxygen in the exhaust gas of the engine, the method comprising operating the internal combustion engine with a fuel-to-air ratio in excess of the stoichiometric ratio such that the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is devoid or substantially devoid of all free oxygen and excess unburned hydrocarbon fuel is expelled with the exhaust gas from the engine, the method including monitoring engine temperature and, while maintaining the fuel-to-air ratio in excess of the stoichiometric ratio, adjusting the fuel-to-air ratio of the intake of the internal combustion engine to maintain the engine temperature below a predetermined value.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine to reduce the presence of free oxygen in the exhaust gas of the engine. The method and apparatus provides for the internal combustion engine to be operated with a fuel-to-air ratio in excess of the stoichiometric ratio such that the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is devoid or substantially devoid of all free oxygen and excess unburned hydrocarbon fuel is expelled with the exhaust gas from the engine.
104 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A method of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine to reduce the presence of free oxygen in the exhaust gas of the engine, the method comprising operating the internal combustion engine with a fuel-to-air ratio in excess of the stoichiometric ratio such that the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is devoid or substantially devoid of all free oxygen and excess unburned hydrocarbon fuel is expelled with the exhaust gas from the engine, the method including monitoring engine temperature and, while maintaining the fuel-to-air ratio in excess of the stoichiometric ratio, adjusting the fuel-to-air ratio of the intake of the internal combustion engine to maintain the engine temperature below a predetermined value.
- 7. An apparatus for controlling the performance and operation of an internal combustion engine to reduce the presence of free oxygen within the exhaust of the engine, the apparatus comprising a fuel-to-air ratio controller, said fuel-to-air ratio controller regulating the fuel-to-air mixture within the intake of the internal combustion engine such that the fuel-to-air ratio is maintained in excess of the stoichiometric ratio with the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine devoid or substantially devoid of all free oxygen and excess unburned hydrocarbon fuel expelled with the exhaust gas from the engine, the apparatus including an engine temperature sensor, said temperature sensor operatively connected to said fuel-to-air ratio controller and causing said controller to adjust the fuel-to-air ratio of the intake of the internal combustion engine to maintain the engine temperature below a predetermined value.
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11. A method for providing a stream of substantially oxygen free gas for use as a drilling fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) operating an internal combustion engine with a fuel-to-air ratio in excess of the stoichiometric ratio such that the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is devoid or substantially devoid of all free oxygen content;
(ii) monitoring engine temperature and adjusting the fuel-to-air ratio of the intake of the internal combustion engine to maintain the engine temperature below a predetermined value;
(iii) collecting the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and directing the exhaust gas to a compression stage where the exhaust gas is compressed to a desired pressure; and
(iv) directing said pressurized exhaust gas that is devoid or substantially devoid of any free oxygen to a drilling operation for use as a drilling fluid. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification