Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Reduction of NOx Using On-Board Plasma Generated Hydrogen
EPA Contract Number: EPD07035Title: Reduction of NOx Using On-Board Plasma Generated Hydrogen
Investigators: Hennings, Brian
Small Business: Lynntech Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Emission Reductions and Biofuels , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
During the project, Lynntech carried out work in an initial design, which resulted in testing the concept with real hardware under conditions approximating those relevant for popular sized off-road diesel engines. To accomplish this, Lynntech experimented with a number of different design iterations. These different designs encompassed three distinct chamber designs, three different power sources with different voltage, current, and frequency responses, as well as general experimental system adaptations.
These experiments have yielded a specific hydrogen production rate: (a) high enough to be feasible for use in off-road diesel equipment without affecting engine performance adversely, and (b) in a package that could easily be installed during routine maintenance simply by adding a flow-through device in-line with the fuel line currently going to the engine; this has never been accomplished before. For the system to be suitable for deployment into the field, it must be extraordinarily simple to install and maintain. Lynntech’s system offers these benefits.
Additional research will improve specific hydrogen production further while verifying and quantifying the levels of emissions reduction expected for specific applications and the long-term effects operating diesel engines under these conditions will have on longevity and maintenance of the equipment.
Conclusions:
Lynntech has demonstrated significant innovation and proof of concept in the Phase I effort. Additional research needs to be performed to verify and optimize certain parameters, but the underlying proof of concept has been demonstrated in Phase I. The Phase II effort will consider optimization, but will focus primarily on developing the system into a prototype kit that could be mass manufactured and installed in the field on off-road diesel equipment. Phase II also will quantify the specific emissions reduction under a variety of typical operation modes as well as some longevity/maintenance testing on a test engine. The target outcome of Phase II is to further advance the technology readiness level to a point where commercial activities (i.e., sales) will sustain the manufacturing, distribution, and additional research and development of a business focused on emissions reduction technology.
Foresight Science & Technology has performed an initial market analysis on this technology that is very promising. The market size for this product currently is estimated at $80 million, with a projected growth rate of 8.4 percent. Research has indicated that customers in the industry will be willing to pay nearly $10,000/unit for this technology. Lynntech estimates that, because of the simplicity and effectiveness of the design, the product could be manufactured for a cost of less than $200/unit. This would allow an exceptionally strong business to be developed around the technology.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, off-road diesel, emissions reduction, PM, hydrogen, diesel engines, EPA, engine and vehicle emissions, plasma-generated hydrogen, air, scientific discipline, environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, mobile sources, automotive exhaust, engine exhaust, plasma reformer, alternative motor fuels, diesel exhaust, NOX, atmospheric plasma filter, automotive emissions, hydrocarbon, HC,, Scientific Discipline, Air, Environmental Chemistry, mobile sources, Environmental Engineering, engine exhaust, Nox, automotive emissions, atmospheric plasma filter, automotive exhaust, diesel exhaust, hydrocarbon (HC), plasma reformer, alternative motor fuelsThe 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.