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US 8,539,914 B2Granted
Method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJames Michael Kerns, Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for operating a flexible fuel engine with a fuel reformer which reforms a fuel into a gaseous fuel reformate are provided. Operating parameters of the fuel reformer and delivery of reformate to the engine are adjusted based on an alcohol content of the fuel.
Claims20
A method for operating an engine with an alcohol reformer, comprising:
- delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer;
- reforming the fuel into a reformate gas including a H2 via a catalyst in the alcohol reformer coupled to an engine exhaust passage;
- delivering the reformate gas from the alcohol reformer to an engine cylinder;
- and
- adjusting an amount of engine exhaust gas in thermal contact with the alcohol reformer based on an alcohol content of the fuel.
2 more elements
A method for operating an engine with an alcohol Reformer which reforms a fuel comprising alcohol into a reformate including H2, comprising:
- delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer;
- activating the alcohol reformer to produce reformate gas, including H2, from the fuel, via endothermic dehydrogenation of alcohol as it passes through a catalyst in the reformer, based on an alcohol content of the fuel;
- delivering the reformate gas to a cylinder of the engine;
- adjusting an operating condition of the alcohol reformer based on an alcohol content of the fuel;
- and
- deactivating the alcohol reformer if a refueling event occurs while the engine is running.
3 more elements
A method for operating an engine, comprising;
- delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer;
- reforming the fuel into a reformate gas, including a H2, when an alcohol content of the fuel is above a threshold, the reforming comprising driving an endothermic dehydrogenation of alcohol via exhaust heat as it passes through a reformer catalyst;
- not reforming a fuel into a reformate gas, including H2, when an alcohol content of the fuel is below the threshold;
- and
- not reforming the fuel into a reformate gas, including H2, if a refueling event occurs while the engine is running.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.