US 12,692,828 B2 · Fuel reforming system

Abstract

A fuel reforming system for a vehicle on which a reciprocating engine is mounted is provided can comprise a decomposer to decompose hydrocarbon fuel into carbon and hydrogen gas by using heat and a pressure of combustion gas and a catalyst and to hold carbon. The decomposer can communicate with a combustion chamber via an openable/closable third port. A reforming space in which a reforming member including the catalyst is installed can be on the side of a connection portion of the decomposer with the third port. On an opposite side of interior of the connection portion of the decomposer with the third port, an additional space is provided to accommodate residual gas that remains in the third port and the decomposer when combustion gas is introduced into the decomposer through the third port.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fuel reforming system for a vehicle, on which a reciprocating engine is mounted, wherein in the reciprocating engine, a combustion chamber where combustion occurs is partitioned inside a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates, the fuel reforming system comprising:

a decomposer that decomposes hydrocarbon fuel into carbon and hydrogen gas using heat and a pressure of combustion gas produced in the combustion chamber and a catalyst and holds the carbon;
and
a hydrocarbon fuel supply that supplies the hydrocarbon fuel to the decomposer, wherein
the decomposer communicates with the combustion chamber via an openable/closable port,
a reforming space in which a reformer including the catalyst is on a side of a connection portion of the decomposer with the openable/closable port, and
on an opposite side of an interior of the connection portion of the decomposer with the port, an additional space is adjacent to the reforming space, wherein in the additional space, residual gas that remains in the port and the decomposer is accommodated under a condition where the combustion gas is introduced into the decomposer through the openable/closable port.

3 more elements

A method regarding a fuel reforming system for a vehicle, on which a reciprocating engine is mounted, wherein in the reciprocating engine, a combustion chamber where combustion occurs is partitioned inside a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates, the method comprising:

providing a decomposer that decomposes hydrocarbon fuel into carbon and hydrogen gas using heat and a pressure of combustion gas produced in the combustion chamber and a catalyst and holds the carbon;
and
providing a hydrocarbon fuel supply that supplies the hydrocarbon fuel to the decomposer, wherein
the decomposer communicates with the combustion chamber via an openable/closable port,
a reforming space in which a reformer including the catalyst is on a side of a connection portion of the decomposer with the openable/closable port, and
on an opposite side of an interior of the connection portion of the decomposer with the port, an additional space is adjacent to the reforming space, wherein in the additional space, residual gas that remains in the decomposer is accommodated under a condition where the combustion gas is introduced into the decomposer through the openable/closable port.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel reforming system

Life of this patent

Fuel reforming system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20