Apparatus and method for operating a fuel reformer to provide reformate gas to both a fuel cell and an emission abatement device
AssigneeArvin Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Daniel, Rudolf M. Smaling, Kurt S. Tyler, Shawn D. Bauer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power system has a fuel reformer, an emission abatement device, and a fuel cell. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. A method of operating a fuel reformer so as to generate and supply a reformate gas to both an emission abatement device and a fuel cell is also disclosed.
Claims21
A vehicle system for an on-highway truck, comprising:
- a fuel cell for producing electrical power,
- an emission abatement device for treating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, and
- a fuel reformer fluidly coupled to both the fuel cell and the emission abatement device.
A method of operating a vehicle system of an on-highway truck, comprising the steps of:
- operating a fuel reformer so as to produce a reformate gas,
- advancing the reformate gas from the fuel reformer to an emission abatement device during operation of an internal combustion engine, and
- advancing the reformate gas from the fuel reformer to a fuel cell during inoperation of the internal combustion engine.
A method of operating an engine system, comprising the steps of:
- operating a fuel reformer so as to reform a hydrocarbon fuel into a reformate gas,
- advancing the reformate gas to an emission abatement device during a first period of time, and
- advancing the reformate gas to a fuel cell during a second period of time.
An on-highway truck, comprising:
- a diesel engine,
- an emission abatement device for treating exhaust gases from the diesel engine,
- an electrically-powered cab heating and cooling system,
- a fuel cell electrically coupled to the cab heating and cooling system, and
- a plasma fuel reformer fluidly coupled to both a reformate gas inlet of the emission abatement device and a reformate gas inlet of the fuel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.