Green Technology

DOD and industry leverage fuel reformer technology to accelerate energy efficiency gains.  ...

...   "DoD is Pursuing Additional Energy Efficiency Technologies:  Diesel fuel reformers are being designed for DoD's future fleet of fuel cell powered trucks. Fuel reformers convert diesel fuel into pure hydrogen gas for fuel cell propulsion systems and help achieve 75 percent reduction in battlefield fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions. "   ...

Energy Efficiency: Diesel Fuel Reformer: Via U.S. Department of Defense: Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, and Ozone Protection ...

Via Delphi: Delphi Reveals Diesel Fuel Reformer Technology at 2005 SAE World Congress: "Delphi's approach utilizes an on-board fuel reformer that converts diesel fuel into hydrogen-rich reformate using air in a catalytic partial oxidation process. The reformate, rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is used to regenerate and desulfate NOx adsorbers. This process is far superior in many respects than using the diesel fuel as a reductant. Reformate also is used for diesel particulate filter regeneration. Delphi's diesel fuel reformer provides flexibility to place a preferred reductant and heat where and when it is needed, regardless of exhaust system architecture.  The reformer system produces reformate on-demand and injects it directly into the exhaust system without requiring the engine to operate at a rich A/F ratio. Thermal management of exhaust components can also be achieved using reformate when injected into exhaust catalysts under lean conditions.

The diesel fuel reformer is an enabler for future stringent emission standards. Reformate-assisted NOx adsorber regeneration has been shown to be especially effective at exhaust temperatures below 250 degrees Celsius, where the use of diesel fuel as a reductant faces serious challenges.  The fuel reformer has the potential to reduce cost due to the reduction of the catalyst volume and PGM loading of a NOx absorber and particulate trap. In addition, the ability for reformate to improve the low temperature performance of the NOx adsorber, and the ability to provide heat, helps reduce the need for costly energy-conserving exhaust system components and engine generated heating strategies. "