摘要:
A method and apparatus for a multistage plasmatron fuel reformer system having a wide dynamic operational range. In one aspect, the system includes a plasmatron configured for low flow operation followed by a reaction extension cylinder and then by a nozzle section capable of providing additional air and/or fuel inputs. The nozzle section is then followed by another reaction extension region. When high flow rate of the system is needed, the low fuel flow rate provided by the plasmatron followed by the first reaction extension region provides the high temperature used to effectively initiate the partial oxidation reaction in the next section. The initiation of this reaction may also be facilitated by the presence of hydrogen.
摘要:
A novel apparatus and method is disclosed for a plasmatron fuel converter (“plasmatron”) that efficiently uses electrical energy to produce hydrogen rich gas. The volume and shape of the plasma discharge is controlled by a fluid flow established in a plasma discharge volume. A plasmatron according to this invention produces a substantially large effective plasma discharge volume allowing for substantially greater volumetric efficiency in the initiation of chemical reactions within a volume of bulk fluid reactant flowing through the plasmatron.
摘要:
A novel apparatus and method is disclosed for a plasmatron fuel converter (“plasmatron”) that efficiently uses electrical energy to produce hydrogen rich gas. The volume and shape of the plasma discharge is controlled by a fluid flow established in a plasma discharge volume. A plasmatron according to this invention produces a substantially large effective plasma discharge volume allowing for substantially greater volumetric efficiency in the initiation of chemical reactions within a volume of bulk fluid reactant flowing through the plasmatron.
摘要:
A novel apparatus and method is disclosed for a plasmatron fuel converter (“plasmatron”) that efficiently uses electrical energy to produce hydrogen rich gas. The plasmatron has multiple decoupled gas flow apertures or channels for performing multiple functions including fuel atomization, wall protection, plasma shaping, and downstream mixing. In one aspect, the invention is a plasmatron fuel converter comprising a first electrode and a second electrode separated from the first electrode by an electrical insulator and disposed to create a gap with respect to the first electrode so as to form a discharge region adapted to receive a reactive mixture. A power supply is connected to the first and second electrodes and adapted to provide voltage and current sufficient to generate a plasma discharge within the discharge region. Fluid flows are established in the vicinity of the plasma discharge region by multiple decoupled flow establishing means.
摘要:
A plasmatron-catalyst system. The system generates hydrogen-rich gas and comprises a plasmatron and at least one catalyst for receiving an output from the plasmatron to produce hydrogen-rich gas. In a preferred embodiment, the plasmatron receives as an input air, fuel and water/steam for use in the reforming process. The system increases the hydrogen yield and decreases the amount of carbon monoxide.
摘要:
A plasmatron-catalyst system. The system generates hydrogen-rich gas and comprises a plasmatron and at least one catalyst for receiving an output from the plasmatron to produce hydrogen-rich gas. In a preferred embodiment, the plasmatron receives as an input air, fuel and water/steam for use in the reforming process. The system increases the hydrogen yield and decreases the amount of carbon monoxide.
摘要:
The plasma fuel converter includes an electrically conductive structure for forming a first electrode and a second electrode is disposed to create a gap with respect to the first electrode in a reaction chamber. A fuel-air mixture is introduced into the gap and the power supply is connected to the first and second electrodes to provide voltage in the range of approximately 100 volts to 40 kilovolts and current in the range of approximately 10 milliamperes to 1 ampere to generate a glow discharge to reform the fuel. The high voltage low current plasmatron of the invention is low cost, has long electrode life, utilizes a simple power supply and control and eliminates the need for an air compressor.
摘要:
Emission abatement system. The system includes a source of emissions and a catalyst for receiving the emissions. Suitable catalysts are absorber catalysts and selective catalytic reduction catalysts. A plasma fuel converter generates a reducing gas from a fuel source and is connected to deliver the reducing gas into contact with the absorber catalyst for regenerating the catalyst. A preferred reducing gas is a hydrogen rich gas and a preferred plasma fuel converter is a plasmatron. It is also preferred that the absorber catalyst be adapted for absorbing NOx.
摘要:
A hydrogen enhanced gasoline engine system using high compression ratio is optimized to minimize NOx emissions, exhaust aftertreatment catalyst requirements, hydrogen requirements, engine efficiency and cost. In one mode of operation the engine is operated very lean (equivalence ratio ø=0.4 to 0.7) at lower levels of power. Very lean operation reduces NOx to very low levels. A control system is used to increase equivalence ratio at increased torque or power requirements while avoiding the knock that would be produced by high compression ratio operation. The increased equivalence ratio reduces the amount of hydrogen required to extend the lean limit in order to avoid misfire and increases torque and power. The engine may be naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or supercharged.
摘要:
Rotary power system. The system includes a source of hydrocarbon fuel which is supplied to a plasmatron which reforms the fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine is connected to receive the hydrogen-rich gas from the plasmatron. The engine powers an electrical generator and the generated electricity is connected to the plasmatron. In one embodiment, the engine also receives hydrocarbon fuel along with the hydrogen rich gas. The combination of plasmatron and internal combustion engine results in lowered exhaust emissions. The plasmatron may include water plasmatrons and partial oxidation plasmatrons.