Onboard implementation of an ultra-compact hydrogen-generator for efficiency and emissions benefits in IC engines

A central tenet of U.S. energy policy is the achievement of high gasoline mileage which would substantially advance the U.S. and DOE missions of improved energy efficiency, increased energy independence, and mitigation of climate change. One promising path forward for increasing mileage is to use reformed fuel to improve engine combustion stability for greater efficiency and lower emissions, including through the use of high levels of EGR and/or operating the engine in a lean burn regime. PCI has identified a compact reformer system that in preliminary testing addressed the key barrier issues. The results indicated improved BSFC, improved BMEP and reduced brake specific emissions. PCI proposes to build on these findings and develop the technology to apply to a range of lean burn gasoline engines being developed by automotive OEMs. PCI will develop and demonstrate a simple, cost-effective, readily- manufactured reformer for high EGR/ ultra-lean operation of SI gasoline engines. PCI will experimentally demonstrate the efficiency and emissions benefits via implementation of the system in a 50 HP engine. In addition, PCI will collaborate with a Tier 1 automotive supplier to use the experimental results to scale and design a system suitable for a full-scale automotive application. The proposed effort will result in the development of a practical, cost-effective and efficient system that could be readily integrated into modern engines and dilute gasoline combustion designs, helping to enable achievement of very high mpg targets. Success in introducing the system into commercial automotive engines would provide a broad base of applications ranging from automotive engines, to portable power, to utility engines helping to reduce fuel usage in a wide range of fields. Partnership with a key Tier 1 automotive supplier during Phase I reduces implementation risk and provides credibility to the approach.