Method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer
First Claim
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1. A method for operating an engine with an alcohol reformer, comprising:
- delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer;
reforming the fuel into a reformate gas including a H2 via a catalyst in the alcohol reformer coupled to an engine exhaust passage;
delivering the reformate gas from the alcohol reformer to an engine cylinder; and
adjusting an amount of engine exhaust gas in thermal contact with the alcohol reformer based on an alcohol content of the fuel.
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Abstract
Methods for operating a flexible fuel engine with a fuel reformer which reforms a fuel into a gaseous fuel reformate are provided. Operating parameters of the fuel reformer and delivery of reformate to the engine are adjusted based on an alcohol content of the fuel.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for operating an engine with an alcohol reformer, comprising:
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delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer; reforming the fuel into a reformate gas including a H2 via a catalyst in the alcohol reformer coupled to an engine exhaust passage; delivering the reformate gas from the alcohol reformer to an engine cylinder; and adjusting an amount of engine exhaust gas in thermal contact with the alcohol reformer based on an alcohol content of the fuel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for operating an engine with an alcohol Reformer which reforms a fuel comprising alcohol into a reformate including H2, comprising:
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delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer; activating the alcohol reformer to produce reformate gas, including H2, from the fuel, via endothermic dehydrogenation of alcohol as it passes through a catalyst in the reformer, based on an alcohol content of the fuel; delivering the reformate gas to a cylinder of the engine; adjusting an operating condition of the alcohol reformer based on an alcohol content of the fuel; and deactivating the alcohol reformer if a refueling event occurs while the engine is running. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating an engine, comprising;
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delivering a fuel comprising alcohol to the alcohol reformer; reforming the fuel into a reformate gas, including a H2, when an alcohol content of the fuel is above a threshold, the reforming comprising driving an endothermic dehydrogenation of alcohol via exhaust heat as it passes through a reformer catalyst; not reforming a fuel into a reformate gas, including H2, when an alcohol content of the fuel is below the threshold; and not reforming the fuel into a reformate gas, including H2, if a refueling event occurs while the engine is running. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification