Low temperature exhaust gas fuel reforming of diesel fuel

The application of exhaust gas assisted fuel reforming in diesel engines has been investigated. The process involves hydrogen generation by direct catalytic interaction of diesel fuel with engine exhaust gas. Using a laboratory reforming mini reactor incorporated in the exhaust system of a diesel engine, up to 16% hydrogen in the reactor product gas was achieved at a reactor inlet temperature of 290 degreesC. The results showed that such levels of hydrogen can be produced with appropriate control of the reaction parameters at temperatures typical of exhaust gas temperatures of diesel engines operating at part load without any requirement for external heat source or air and steam supply. The use of simulated reformed fuel was shown to be beneficial in terms of engine exhaust emissions and resulted in reduction of NOX and smoke emissions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.