Engine fuel-reforming reactors, systems, and methods

An engine system for internal combustion and reformation of a fuel, the engine system comprising:

• an engine comprising an intake manifold for receiving a first fuel and an exhaust manifold for releasing an exhaust gas;
• and
• a reforming reactor comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongate body defined by a longitudinal axis and a wall forming an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an interior cavity, the reforming reactor having an inlet for receiving the first fuel, a second fuel, reactants for the first fuel, or combinations thereof, the reforming reactor comprising an internal reactor structure within at least a portion of the interior cavity,
• wherein the internal reactor structure comprises a honeycomb shaped structure that extends continuously from the inlet to an outlet of the reforming reactor;
• wherein the outer surface of the reforming reactor comprises a heat exchange structure selected from the group consisting of a monolith catalyst, a reticulated foam, a plurality of fins, and combinations thereof, wherein exterior surfaces of the heat exchange structure are configured to be exposed to the exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust manifold;
• wherein the exhaust manifold has a housing wall that includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and lateral walls extending along the longitudinal axis from the first side wall to the second side wall, the housing wall defining an inlet for receiving the exhaust gas and an outlet for removing the exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold;
• wherein the reforming reactor extends from the first side wall of the exhaust manifold to the second side wall of the exhaust manifold;
• wherein an annular region formed between the outer surface of the wall of the reforming reactor and the housing wall of the exhaust manifold defines an interior of the exhaust manifold;
• and
• wherein the housing wall of the exhaust manifold forms the first end portion and the second end portion of the reforming reactor, wherein the first end portion is formed by the first side wall and the second end portion is formed by the second side wall of the exhaust manifold.