Plasma reforming and partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel vapor to produce synthesis gas and/or hydrogen gas

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to methods of using hydrocarbon fuel vapor or hydrocarbon fuel vapor mixed with engine exhaust and/or air to form hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide. In particular, the present invention provides plasma-assisted reactions to produce hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide gases which can then be consumed in an internal combustion engine to enhance engine performance and reduce engine pollution.

#2. Relevant Technology

#In order to more fully understand the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered as limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system and method according to the present invention, wherein fuel vapor and engine exhaust gases are reformed to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a system and method according to the present invention, wherein fuel vapor is partially oxidized with air to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas; and

#The present invention is directed to methods of treating vapors from fuels such as gasoline or diesel fuel in an internal combustion engine, to form hydrogen gas or synthesis gas, which can then be burned in the engine to produce more power. Fuel vapor, or a mixture of fuel vapor and exhaust gas and/or air, is contacted with a plasma, to promote reforming reactions between the fuel vapor and exhaust gas to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, partial oxidation reactions between the fuel vapor and air to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, or direct hydrogen and carbon particle production from the fuel vapor. The plasma can be a thermal plasma or a non-thermal plasma. Preferably, the plasma is produced and contained in a plasma generating device which can be preheated by contact with at least a portion of the hot exhaust gas stream, thereby decreasing the power requirements of the plasma generating device.

#In one method of the present invention, fuel vapor in an internal combustion engine is reformed to produce synthesis gas, i.e., carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of a system and method of the present invention is shown. An internal combustion engine 10 includes a combustion chamber 12 adapted to combust a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and a fuel tank 14 adapted to deliver liquid hydrocarbon fuel 16 to combustion chamber 12. The internal combustion engine 10 can be a conventional internal combustion engine, such as is found in cars, buses, trucks, boats, ships, trains, electrical power generators, and the like. The engine can be adapted to burn any conventional liquid hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline or diesel fuel.

#The liquid hydrocarbon fuel 16 is combusted in combustion chamber 12, thereby forming a hot exhaust gas stream 18. The exhaust gas stream 18, which includes carbon dioxide and water, is directed to exit the combustion chamber. A first portion of the exhaust gas stream 18a and a stream of hydrocarbon fuel vapor 20 are mixed together and introduced into a plasma generating device 22. The hydrocarbon fuel vapor 20 can be taken from fuel tank 14, where the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is present at an equilibrium vapor pressure above the liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Alternatively, a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel can be taken from fuel tank 14 and vaporized by heating, to produce a hydrocarbon fuel vapor.