Reducing emissions from future vehicles with fuel cell auxiliary power units, supplies hydrogen-rich synthesis gas to exhaust gases during engine cold-starting phase

摘要

Hydrogen-rich synthesis gas is produced using an electric arc process. This gas is supplied to the exhaust gases, at least during the cold starting phase of the engine (10). During normal operation, hydrogen from an on-board fuel cell system (15) is supplied to the internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The hydrogen-rich synthesis gas is generated and/or supplied to the exhaust gases, until a reformer of the fuel cell system has reached its operational temperature. Once this temperature has been reached, at least a fraction of the synthesis gas is supplied to the fuel cell (18). An independent claim is included for corresponding equipment.