PLASMATRON REFORMER IN I.

C ENGINES
Improvements in internal combustion engine and after treatment technologies are needed to meet future environmental quality goals. Systems using recently developed compact plasmatron fuel converters in conjunction with state-of-the-art engines and after treatment catalysts could provide new opportunities for obtaining substantial emissions reductions. Plasmatron fuel converters provide a rapid response, compact means to transform a wide range of hydrocarbon fuels (including gasoline, natural gas and diesel fuel) into hydrogenrich gas. Hydrogen-rich gas can be used as an additive to provide NOx reductions of more than 80% in spark ignition gasoline engine vehicles by enabling very lean operation or heavy exhaust engine recirculation. It may also be employed for cold start hydrocarbon reduction. If certain requirements are met, it may also be possible to achieve higher spark ignition engine efficiencies (e.g., up to 95% of those of diesel engines). These requirements include the attainment of ultra lean, high compression ratio, open throttle operation using only a modest amount of hydrogen addition. For diesel engines, use of compact plasmatron reformers to produce hydrogen-rich gas for the regeneration of NOx absorber and particulate traps for diesel engine exhaust after treatment could provide significant advantages. Recent tests of conversion of diesel fuel to hydrogen-rich gas using a low current plasmatron fuel converter with non-equilibrium plasma features are described.

ADVANTAGES:
Hydrogen rich gas could provide important advantages for controlled regeneration of DPF Provide clean burning fuel to initiate and control burnup of soot in trap during regeneration Regeneration at lower soot levels (more frequent regenerations with decreased chance of large uncontrolled burning) Increased reliability and longevity possible

APPLICATIONS:
Reforming facilitates increased use of biofuels Bio-oil fueled CI engines with H2 regeneration of NOx traps and DPF traps Facilitates engine use of minimally refined bio-oils Facilitate increase use of ethanol Maximize the use of high hydrogen to carbon ratio in ethanol Uses in both SI and CI engine

REFERENCES:
[1] Bromberg L, Cohn DR, Rabinovich A, Alexeev N. Plasma catalytic reforming of methane. Int J Hydrogen Energy 1999;24:1131. [2] Green JB, Bromberg L, Cohn DR, et al., Experimental evaluation of SI engine operation supplemented by hydrogen rich gas from a compact plasma boosted reformer. Presented at the Government=Industry Meeting, June 2000, Washington, DC, USA; SAE-2000-01-2206; also PSFC Report JA-99-32. [3] Bromberg L, Rabinovich A, Alexeev N, Cohn DR. Plasma reforming of diesel fuel, plasma science and fusion center report PSFC=JA-99-4. Presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Annaheim, CA, March 1999.

Compiled by: CHARAN.B (1SG10ME010)