Abstract: The present invention improves the operation of an exhaust gas recirculation system having a recirculation combustion chamber or group of combustion chambers dedicated to supplying recirculated gas. Once a sensed engine load is within a predefined range, a controller advances fuel injection into the recirculation combustion chamber to reduce formation of particulates. The reduction in particulates reduces fouling of an exhaust gas recirculation system.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines produce a number of emissions including oxides of nitrogen, NOx. One manner of reducing NOx production used in gas turbine engines is through the use of catalytic reactors. Catalytic reactors reduce the ignition temperatures required for complete combustion of a fuel air mixture. However, high temperatures present in catalytic reactors cause sintering of the substrate, vaporization of the catalyst, and sintering of catalyst and metal substrate. The present invention is directed at controlling the temperature of a catalytic reactor in an internal combustion engine. An exothermic catalyst coats a first side of a substrate in the catalytic reactor. An endothermic catalyst coats a second side of the substrate.

Abstract: Many government entities regulated emission from gas turbine engines including CO. CO production is generally reduced when CO reacts with excess oxygen at elevated temperatures to form CO2. Many manufactures use film cooling of a combustor liner adjacent to a combustion zone to increase durability of the combustion liner. Film cooling quenches reactions of CO with excess oxygen to form CO2. Cooling the combustor liner on a cold side (backside) away from the combustion zone reduces quenching. Furthermore, placing a plurality of concavities on the cold side enhances the cooling of the combustor liner. Concavities result in very little pressure reduction such that air used to cool the combustor liner may also be used in the combustion zone. An expandable combustor housing maintains a predetermined distance between the combustor housing and combustor liner.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a pressure-charged internal engine for use in a high load condition is presented. The disclosed EGR system includes one or more exhaust combustion chambers attached to a recirculation manifold. A pressure sensor is located in an inlet air manifold. Where the pressure in the inlet manifold is above a predetermined level, a flow control device directs recirculation flow through a supply conduit into the inlet manifold. The disclosed embodiment includes an EGR cooling system where cool air in a bleed conduit connecting an inlet conduit to the exhaust manifold exchanges heat with exhaust gas in the supply. A bleed valve in the bleed conduit moves in response to temperature in the supply duct along with the position of the flow control device to prevent condensation in the combustion chambers. The invention also includes methods for controlling EGR system and EGR cooling system.