A method of exhaust heat recovery from a spark-ignition internal combustion engine was explored, utilizing a steam reforming thermochemical reactor to produce a hydrogen-rich effluent, which was then consumed in the engine. The effects of hydrogen in the combustion process have been studied extensively, and it has been shown that an extension of the lean stability limit is possible through hydrogen enrichment. The system efficiency and the extension of the operational range of an internal combustion engine were explored through the use of a methane fueled naturally aspirated single cylinder engine co-fueled with syngas produced with an on board methane steam reformer. It was demonstrated that an extension of the lean stability limit is possible using this system.
Dual fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion is a promising method to achieve high efficiency with near zero NOx and soot emissions; however, the requirement to carry two fuels on-board has limited practical applications. Advancements in catalytic reforming have demonstrated the ability to generate syngas (a mixture of CO and hydrogen) from a single hydrocarbon stream. The reformed fuel mixture can then be used as a low reactivity fuel stream to enable RCCI out of a single parent fuel. Beyond enabling dual-fuel combustion strategies out of a single parent fuel, fuel reforming can be endothermic and allow recovery of exhaust heat to drive the reforming reactions, potentially improving overall efficiency of the system. Previous works have focused on using reformed fuel to extend the lean limit of spark ignited engines, and enhancing the control of HCCI type combustion. The strategy pairs naturally with advanced dual-fuel combustion strategies, and the use of dual-fuel strategies in the context of on-board reforming and energy recovery has not been explored. Accordingly, the work presented in this dissertation attempts to fill in the gaps in the current literature and provide a pathway to "single" fuel RCCI combustion through a combination of experiments and computational fluid dynamics modeling. Initially, a system level analysis focusing on three common reforming techniques (i.e., partial oxidation, steam reforming and auto-thermal reforming) was conducted to evaluate the potential of reformed fuel. A system layout was proposed for each reforming technique and a detailed thermodynamic analysis using first- and second-law approaches were used to identify the sources of efficiency improvements. The results showed that reformed fuel combustion with a near TDC injection of diesel fuel can increase engine-only efficiency by 4% absolute when compared to a conventional diesel baseline. The efficiency improvements were a result of reduced heat transfer and shorter, more thermodynamically efficient, combustion process. For exothermic reforming processes, losses in the reformer outweigh the improvements to engine efficiency, while for endothermic processes the recovery of exhaust energy was able to allow the system efficiency to retain a large portion of the benefits to the engine combustion. Energy flow analysis showed that the reformer temperature and availability of high grade exhaust heat were the main limiting factors preventing higher efficiencies. RCCI combustion was explored experimentally for its potential to expand on the optimization results and achieve low soot and NOx emissions. The results showed that reformed fuel can be used with diesel to enable RCCI combustion and resulted in low NOx and soot emissions while achieving efficiencies similar to conventional diesel combustion. Experiments showed that the ratio H2/(H2+CO) is an important parameter for optimal engine operation. Under part-load conditions, fractions of H2/(H2+CO) higher than 60% led to pressure oscillations inside the cylinder that substantially increased heat transfer and negated any efficiency benefits. The system analysis approach was applied to the experimental results and showed that chemical equilibrium limited operation of the engine to sub-optimal operating conditions. RCCI combustion was able to achieve "diesel like" system level efficiencies without optimization of either the engine operating conditions or the combustion system. Reformed fuel RCCI was able to provide a pathway to meeting current and future emission targets with a reduction or complete elimination of aftertreatment costs. Particle size distribution experiments showed that addition of reformed fuel had a significant impact on the shape of the particle size distribution. Addition of reformed fuel reduced accumulation-mode particle concentration while increasing nucleation-mode particles. When considering the full range of particle sizes there was a significant increase in total particle concentration. However, when considering currently regulated (Dm>23nm) particles, total concentration was comparable. To address limitations identified in the system analysis of the RCCI experiments a solid oxide fuel cell was combined with the engine into a hybrid electrochemical combustion system. The addition of the fuel cell addresses the limitations by providing sufficient high grade heat to fully drive the reforming reactions. From a system level perspective, the impact of the high frequency oscillations observed in the experiments are reduced, as the system efficiency is less dependent on the engine efficiency. From an engine perspective, the high operating pressures and low reactivity of the anode gas allow reduction of the likelihood of such events. A 0-D system level code was developed and used to find representative conditions for experimental engine validation. The results showed that the system can achieve system electrical efficiencies higher than 70% at 1 MWe power level. Experimental validation showed that the engine was able to operate under both RCCI and HCCI combustion modes and resulted in low emissions and stable combustion. The potential of a hybrid electrochemical combustion system was demonstrated for high efficiency power generation
Can hydrogen and electricity supply all of the world's energy needs? Handbook of Hydrogen Energy thoroughly explores the notion of a hydrogen economy and addresses this question. The handbook considers hydrogen and electricity as a permanent energy system and provides factual information based on science. The text focuses on a large cross section o
Engineers, applied scientists, students, and individuals working to reduceemissions and advance diesel engine technology will find the secondedition of Diesel Emissions and Their Control to be an indispensablereference. Whether readers are at the outset of their learning journey orseeking to deepen their expertise, this comprehensive reference bookcaters to a wide audience.In this substantial update to the 2006 classic, the authors have expandedthe coverage of the latest emission technologies. With the industryevolving rapidly, the book ensures that readers are well-informed aboutthe most recent advances in commercial diesel engines, providing acompetitive edge in their respective fields. The second edition has alsostreamlined the content to focus on the most promising technologies.This book is rooted in the wealth of information available on DieselNet.com, where the “Technology Guide” papers offer in-depth insights. Eachchapter includes links to relevant online materials, granting readers accessto even more expertise and knowledge.The second edition is organized into six parts, providing a structuredjourney through every aspect of diesel engines and emissions control: Part I: A foundational exploration of the diesel engine, combustion, andessential subsystems. Part II: An in-depth look at emission characterization, health andenvironmental impacts, testing methods, and global regulations. Part III: A comprehensive overview of diesel fuels, covering petroleumdiesel, alternative fuels, and engine lubricants. Part IV: An exploration of engine efficiency and emission controltechnologies, from exhaust gas recirculation to engine control. Part V: The latest developments in diesel exhaust aftertreatment,encompassing catalyst technologies and particulate filters. Part VI: A historical journey through the evolution of dieselengine technology, with a focus on heavy-duty engines in the NorthAmerican market. (ISBN 9781468605693, ISBN 9781468605709, ISBN 9781468605716, DOI: 10.4271/9781468605709)
The thermochemical recuperation process uses endothermic reformation reactions to upgrade a portion of an engine's primary fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas, thereby converting part of the exhaust heat from an internal combustion engine into chemical potential energy. Enriching the primary fuel air mixture of the internal combustion engine with this hydrogen-rich gas potentially enables combustion with very lean or dilute mixtures, resulting in higher efficiency and lower emissions as compared to standard combustion regimes. It may be possible to simplify thermochemical recuperation system architecture by directly mixing exhaust gases with the fuel in the reformation process to supply a significant portion of the heat and water required. To evaluate the effect of direct exhaust gas mixing on ethanol autothermal reformation, this work experimentally and theoretically investigated dilution with a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide to simulate an exhaust composition, in combination with a range of inlet temperatures, to simulate exhaust gas temperatures, at a constant steam to carbon ratio. Parameters such as the chemical coefficient of performance, chemical energy output divided by chemical energy input, are introduced to better enable quantification of thermochemical recuperation. Trends in yield and performance metrics for ethanol autothermal reformation were observed under operating conditions across a range of oxygen to carbon ratio, a range of dilution amount, and a range of inlet temperature. For high inlet temperature cases, dilution increases hydrogen yield and chemical coefficient of performance suggesting that direct exhaust mixing would be beneficial. However, for low inlet temperatures, dilution decreased hydrogen yield and other performance metrics suggesting that direct exhaust mixing would not be beneficial. Dilution decreased methane production for many conditions. High inlet temperature conditions were found to cause homogeneous oxidation and homogenous conversion of ethanol upstream of the catalyst leading to high conversions of ethanol and high methane yields before reaching the catalyst. Coke formation rates varied over two orders of magnitude, with high coke formation rates for the high inlet temperature cases and low coke formation rates for the low inlet temperature cases. Dilution decreased the rate of coke formation. Models of intrinsic rate phenomenon were constructed in this study. The models predict that mass transport rates will be faster than the rate of chemical reaction kinetics over the range of ethanol concentrations and temperatures measured in the catalyst monolith both with and without dilution. Bounding cases for heat generation and transfer rates indicate that these phenomena could be the rate limiting mechanism or could be faster than both chemical kinetics and mass transport rates depending upon the distribution of oxidation heat between the catalyst and gas stream. Based on these results direct exhaust gas mixing is expected to be a practical method for supplying heat and water vapor for ethanol autothermal reformation in thermochemical recuperation systems when exhaust temperatures are above a certain threshold. For low exhaust temperatures direct exhaust gas mixing can supply water vapor but reduces other performance metrics.
An examination was made of the feasibility, practicability, performance, fuel economy, and emissions of the concept of the addition of hydrogen to gasoline for use as an automobile fuel. The specific hydrogen addition concepts evaluated included onboard storage of hydrogen as a bottled gas, as a cryogenic liquid, and as a regenerable gas in a metal hydride storage system, and the onboard generation of hydrogen by the reformation of gasoline in a fuel reformer (or gas generator). Both partial oxidation and steam reforming fuel reformers were considered. For perspective, comparisons were made of the hydrogen addition concept with the conventional spark ignition engine baseline and other lean engine concepts, e.g., advanced lean carbureted engines and stratified charge engines. Hydrogen addition via fuel reformation was found to be a feasible method of achieving ultralean engine operation.
Provides a comprehensive practical review of the new technologies used to obtain hydrogen more efficiently via catalytic, electrochemical, bio- and photohydrogen production. Hydrogen has been gaining more attention in both transportation and stationary power applications. Fuel cell-powered cars are on the roads and the automotive industry is demanding feasible and efficient technologies to produce hydrogen. The principles and methods described herein lead to reasonable mitigation of the great majority of problems associated with hydrogen production technologies. The chapters in this book are written by distinguished authors who have extensive experience in their fields, and readers will have a chance to compare the fundamental production techniques and learn about the pros and cons of these technologies. The book is organized into three parts. Part I shows the catalytic and electrochemical principles involved in hydrogen production technologies. Part II addresses hydrogen production from electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) by decomposing organic compound into hydrogen in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The final part of the book is concerned with photohydrogen generation. Recent developments in the area of semiconductor-based nanomaterials, specifically semiconductor oxides, nitrides and metal free semiconductor-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic hydrogen production are extensively discussed.
