Natural gas vehicle powertrain with onboard catalytic reformer

Abstract

Catalyst compositions and methods for use of such catalyst composition in the exhaust gas recycle stream of an internal combustion engine for reforming of a methane-containing fuel are provided. A reformer incorporating such a catalyst for use in an exhaust gas recycle portion of an internal combustion engine powertrain is described. A powertrain incorporating such a reformer, a method of increasing the octane rating of an exhaust gas recycle stream, and a method of operating an internal combustion engine for methane combustion are also described.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Application No. 61 / 915,555, filed on Dec. 13, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Embodiments of the invention relate to catalytic reforming of a mixture of a methane-containing fuel and internal combustion engine exhaust gas. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to catalytic reforming of such engine exhaust gas recycle that contains an amount of methane and higher molecular weight organics sufficient to sustain the formation of H2 and CO (and / or CO2) in the reformer.BACKGROUND[0003]Conventional internal combustion engine designs can typically include a single fuel for combustion within the engine cylinders. This can require careful selection of an appropriate fuel, so that the fuel has appropriate combustion properties, such as a suitable Research Octane Number or a suitable flame speed. This can limit the selecti...

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