Grantee Research Project Results
A High Efficiency, Extremely Low Emission Internal Combustion Engine With On-Demand Generation of Hydrogen-Rich Gas by a Plasmatron
EPA Contract Number: 68D00247Title: A High Efficiency, Extremely Low Emission Internal Combustion Engine With On-Demand Generation of Hydrogen-Rich Gas by a Plasmatron
Investigators: Andrews, Craig C.
Small Business: Lynntech Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through March 1, 2001
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The Phase I objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of the on-board generation of hydrogen on demand from hydrocarbon fuels by a plasmatron to increase the efficiency of internal combustion engines and significantly reduce emissions. It is proposed to make the plasmatron an integral part of the engine, thus recovering nearly all of the energy released during the thermally initiated conversion of a hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen in utilizing a partial oxidation process. The integrated plasmatron approach to obtaining hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuel has a number of advantages when compared to the more conventional catalytic partial oxidation and steam reforming processes. The proposed concept will be tested by incorporating a suitable plasmatron into the small diesel engine. Engine emissions and system efficiency will be measured before and after the modification. Data will be collected to determine the best system parameters to achieve maximum pollutant reduction at the highest engine efficiency possible.Increased fuel efficiency directly benefits engine operators and the national economy. The automobile industry could meet future U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clean air standards. Reduced environmental pollution levels translate into economic and societal benefits to the Nation; such as lower incidence of diseases in humans and slower deterioration of buildings and other infrastructures.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, air emissions, mobile sources, engineering, engine efficiency, pollution prevention, chemistry, EPA., Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Air, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Toxics, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, HAPS, mobile sources, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Incineration/Combustion, Market mechanisms, cleaner production/pollution prevention, air toxics, New/Innovative technologies, Environmental Engineering, catalysts, hydrocarbons, vehicle emissions, novel catalyst systems, catalytic combustion, alternative energy source, auto emissions, hydrocarbon, automotive combustion, automotive emission controls, innovative technologies, Sulfur Oxides (SO2), Nitrogen Oxides, catalyst formulations, air emissions, automotive emissions, Plasmatron, carbon monoxide, combustion, cost effective, alternative fuel technology, automobile combustion process design, nitrogen oxides (Nox), motor vehicles, combustion technology, air pollutants, innovative technology, internal combustion engine, engine efficiency, automobiles, automotive exhaust, carbon dioxide, Sulfur dioxide, air pollution controlProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.