Systems and methods for controlling on-board generation and use of hydrogen fuel mixtures

摘要

This is a system for generating hydrogen on-board the vehicle from compressed natural gas (CNG) in select ratios to create hydrogen-enriched CNG (HCNG) fuel for use in internal combustion engines. The on-board generation of hydrogen is comprised of a reforming system of CNG fuel with direct contact with exhaust gases. The reforming system controls for production of HCNG fuel mixtures is based on specific engine operating conditions. The vehicle's engine controls and operating parameters are modified for combustion of selective ratios of HCNG fuel mixtures throughout engine operating cycle. The reforming system controls and engine controls modifications are also used to minimize combustion emissions and optimize engine performance.

主权项

1. An engine system using natural gas as a fuel, the system comprising:
a combustion system for combusting natural gas to produce energy and exhaust gas; a pre-reforming system to receive unreformed natural gas and at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the combustion system, wherein the pre-reforming system is configured to generate a partial oxidation (PDX) reaction between unreformed natural gas and the exhaust gas to provide PDX reaction products; a reforming system for reforming the PDX reaction products from the pre-reforming system to provide reformed natural gas, the reforming system including a steam reformer, a carbon dioxide reformer, and a first water-gas-shift reformer; a mixing system for mixing reformed natural gas from the reforming system and unreformed natural gas to be delivered to the combustion system; and a reforming control system for controlling the delivery of exhaust gas to the pre-forming system, wherein the at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the combustion system is delivered to the pre-reforming system at a first predetermined ratio with unreformed natural gas based on a first engine operating condition and at a second predetermined ratio with unreformed natural gas based on a second engine operating condition.