Exhaust gas reforming of gasoline at moderate temperatures

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 1996, Vol.21 (6), p.507-519
• Main Authors: Jamal, Y., Wagner, T., Wyszynski, M.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Gasoline; Hydrogen; Q1
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/0360-3199(95)00103-4

This paper presents theoretical and experimental results of exhaust gas reforming of gasoline at lower reformer temperatures (650 and 600 °C). The reformed fuel, containing some quantities of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, was fed at a constant rate to the intake manifold of a single cylinder Ricardo E6 engine as an additive to gasoline. The study of the effects of reformed gas addition on engine performance at extreme lean burn conditions was performed at fixed conditions of speed, load and throttle setting, for different ignition timing settings. Results are encouraging in terms of improved engine efficiency and extended lean burn operation for most ignition timings, despite quite low hydrogen content in the reformed fuel which resulted in low proportions of energy input to the engine from the reformed fuel. Also the levels of pollutant exhaust contents (NO x and HC) were lower and cycle-to-cycle variations of cylinder pressure were reduced.