Engines using supercritical syngas
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsSage Kokjohn, David Wickman, Flavio Dal Forno Chuahy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A first engine fuel, for example diesel fuel, is reformed (preferably via steam reforming) to produce syngas for use as a second engine fuel, with the fuels then both being used in an internal combustion engine to perform Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI). The syngas is produced and supplied to the engine as a supercritical fluid, thereby avoiding the pumping losses that would occur if syngas was pressurized for supply/injection. The reforming is done by a reformer which is provided as a unit with the engine (e.g., both the engine and reformer are onboard a vehicle), thereby effectively allowing use of a single fuel for RCCI engine operation.
Claims20
A combustion method for an internal combustion engine, the method including the steps of:
- a. producing syngas from hydrocarbons;
- and
- b. supplying the syngas to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, wherein both the producing step and the supplying step are performed at a temperature and pressure at which the produced syngas is a supercritical fluid.
A combustion method for an internal combustion engine, the method including the steps of:
- a. reforming hydrocarbons to produce supercritical syngas;
- and
- b. supplying the supercritical syngas to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
A combustion method for an internal combustion engine, the method including the steps of:
- a. producing syngas from hydrocarbons;
- and
- b. directly injecting the syngas into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.