Fuel efficient, continuously regenerating diesel particulate filter with on-board hydrogen production: Towards a fuel reformer – Diesel engine aftertreatment system

Theinnoi, K; Tsolakis, A; Megaritis, Thanos; Yang, Changho

Abstract

The major long term challenge for the automotive industry is the substantial
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with a simultaneous reduction in all other regulated
emissions. Although local pollutant emissions (specifically NOx, CO, HC and soot) are
already being addressed through the use of aftertreatment systems and higher quality fuels,
new emission standards that will be enforced in the next few years will be more stringent,
especially on NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions. The diesel particulate filter
technology has been established as a favourable method and a necessity for the control of
diesel PM emissions.

The ongoing research by the authors have aimed to develop a diesel emissions reduction
system with enhanced performance by utilising hydrogen produced on-board in a exhaust gas
assisted diesel fuel reformer. This type of fuel reforming process involves the on-board
generation of hydrogen-containing gas by direct catalytic interaction of hydrocarbon fuels
with engine exhaust gases.

The aim of this work is to design a fuel reformer-CRT-DPF system. The reformate (i.e. H2-
rich gas) will be produced and introduced continuously into the DOC part of the CRT-DPF or
directly to the catalyst coated DPF, when required (i.e. low load, low exhaust temperatures) in
small concentrations (i.e. below 2000 ppm H2) in order to enhance NO to and NO2 oxidation.
Initial results using a CRT-DPF aftertreatment system showed the NO to NO2 oxidation over
the DOC enhancing as the hydrogen addition was increased from 500 – 2000 ppm; however it
was found to be dependent on the engine operation (i.e. use of EGR), exhaust gas conditions
and composition. The increased NO2 concentration in the exhaust improved the soot oxidation
at low temperatures and helped in maintaining a soot free DPF, as seen from the temperature
changes and pressure drop trends along the filter.

Citation

Theinnoi, K., Tsolakis, A., Megaritis, T., & Yang, C. (2010, May). Fuel efficient, continuously regenerating diesel particulate filter with on-board hydrogen production: Towards a fuel reformer – Diesel engine aftertreatment system. Paper presented at FISITA 2010 World Automotive Congress, Budapest, Hungary

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: FISITA 2010 World Automotive Congress
• Conference Location: Budapest, Hungary
• Start Date: May 30, 2010
• End Date: Jun 4, 2010
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2010
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: diesel particulate filter, regeneration, hydrogen
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/988722
• Publisher URL: http://www.fisita2010.com/programme/programme/pdf/F2010A125.pdf
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : FISITA 2010 World Automotive Congress