System and controls for near zero cold start tailpipe emissions in internal combustion engines
US6655130B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S123/12
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An integrated fuel reformer-engine system and method provides an on-board fuel reformer for preparing a hydrogen-rich reformate; an engine operating on one or a combination of reformate and liquid fuel, in combination with an exhaust catalyst for treating engine exhaust. The supply of air, reformate, and liquid fuel to the engine and exhaust catalyst is metered so as to provide low hydrocarbon and NOx emissions over a range of operating conditions from cold-start and idle through vehicle road-loads. In one embodiment, the system provides near-zero cold start hydrocarbon and NOx emissions with ultra-lean start using substantially 100% reformate fueling. In another embodiment, accelerated catalyst heating is provided by supplying reformate mixed with engine exhaust to the catalyst. Alternately, an ignition source is employed to ignite the engine exhaust or reformate-exhaust mixture. In another embodiment, the present system provides ultra-low NOx emissions at light and mid loads using extreme dilution and partial reformate fueling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.