Manufacturing

Plasma Reforming and Partial Oxidation of Hydrocarbon Fuel

Related Patents:  6606855

Contact: David R. Anderson

Phone: (208) 526-0837

E-mail:  Send E-mail

Optimizing fuel efficiency and pollutant reduction are difficult tasks for internal combustion engines. Engine efficiency and fuel utilization increase with excess oxygen in the combustion chamber. At the same time however, production of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and other pollutants also increase under fuel lean conditions. Conventional attempts at decreasing pollutant emissions typically focus on improving the quality of the hydrocarbon fuel or removing pollutants from the exhaust gases. INL researchers have developed a method that replaces conventional methods and decreases the cost and complexity of the combustion systems without decreasing the overall efficiency, power or fuel utilization.