Exhaust gas fuel reforming - A summary of the research at the University of Birmingham

This paper briefly reviews the theoretical and experimental work, which was performed at the University of Birmingham over the last 7 years. Exhaust gas fuel reforming is the generation of a hydrogen-rich gas from a fossil fuel by directly applying exhaust gases and exhaust energy. If the reformed fuel obtained in such process is added to an internal combustion engine, as an additive or as a complete fossil fuel replacement, reductions in exhaust emissions and an increase in economy can be observed. Reformed fuels were produced in a reactor at conditions, which are typical for an automotive application. The hydrogen yields were up to 23%, with carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, some lower hydrocarbons and nitrogen as balance. Effects of the additive of the reformed fuel on the combustion itself and the exhaust emission formation are presented. Finally, the feasibility of practical application as a supplementary fuel in a diluted charge is outlined.