Method of operating a reformer and a vehicle

A method for operating a vehicle, comprising:

• introducing an oxidant and fuel to a reformer at greater than or equal to about 25,000/hr space velocity;
• combusting the oxidant and the fuel less than or equal to 10 cm upstream of a reformer catalyst to produce a combustion gas, wherein the reformer catalyst is disposed on a reformer substrate having a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 35 W/m° K;
• extinguishing the combustion;
• and
• introducing additional fuel and oxidant to the reformer at an air to fuel weight ratio appropriate for reforming.

A method of reducing cold start exhaust gas emissions from and internal combustion engine, comprising:

• introducing an oxidant and fuel to a reformer at greater than or equal to about 25,000/hr space velocity;
• combusting the oxidant and the fuel less than or equal to 10 cm upstream of a reformer catalyst to produce a combustion gas, wherein the reformer catalyst is disposed on a reformer substrate having a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 35 W/m° K;
• extinguishing the combustion;
• introducing additional fuel and oxidant to the reformer at an air to fuel weight ratio appropriate for reforming to produce a reformate;
• directing the reformate along with a source of oxygen into an internal combustion engine, an exhaust control device, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing;
• and
• combusting the reformate and source of oxygen for a period of time sufficient to increase a temperature of the internal combustion engine, the exhaust control device, or both.

A method of regenerating an exhaust control device comprising:

• introducing an oxidant and fuel to a reformer at greater than or equal to about 25,000/hr space velocity;
• combusting the oxidant and the fuel less than or equal to 10 cm upstream of a reformer catalyst to produce a combustion gas, wherein the reformer catalyst is disposed on a reformer substrate having a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 35 W/m° K;
• extinguishing the combustion;
• introducing additional fuel and oxidant to the reformer at an air to fuel weight ratio appropriate for reforming to produce a reformate;
• directing the reformate into the exhaust control device in and amount, at a temperature, and for a period of time sufficient to reduce an amount of material being retained by the exhaust control device.