Abstract: An Anode Protection Systems for a SOFC system, having a Reductant Supply and safety subsystem, a SOFC anode protection subsystem, and a Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem. The Reductant Supply and safety subsystem includes means for generating a reducing gas or vapor to prevent re-oxidation of the Ni in the anode layer during the course of shut down of the SOFC stack. The underlying ammonia or hydrogen based material used to generate a reducing gas or vapor to prevent the re-oxidation of the Ni can be in either a solid or liquid stored inside a portable container. The SOFC anode protection subsystem provides an internal pressure of 0.2 to 10 kPa to prevent air from entering into the SOFC system. The Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem provides a catalyst converter configured to treat any residual reducing gas in the slip stream gas exiting from SOFC stack.

Abstract: An Anode Protection Systems for a SOFC system, having a Reductant Supply and safety subsystem, a SOFC anode protection subsystem, and a Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem. The Reductant Supply and safety subsystem includes means for generating a reducing gas or vapor to prevent re-oxidation of the Ni in the anode layer during the course of shut down of the SOFC stack. The underlying ammonia or hydrogen based material used to generate a reducing gas or vapor to prevent the re-oxidation of the Ni can be in either a solid or liquid stored inside a portable container. The SOFC anode protection subsystem provides an internal pressure of 0.2 to 10 kPa to prevent air from entering into the SOFC system. The Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem provides a catalyst converter configured to treat any residual reducing gas in the slip stream gas exiting from SOFC stack.

Abstract: A method for controlling a glow plug at a desired temperature. In a glow plug off state, the glow plug temperature status is monitored to prepare for the next combustion event. When ignition is requested, a determination is made as to how long full voltage can be applied to bring the glow plug to ignition temperature. A resistance/temperature map is provided to determine the resistance as a function of temperature. Another map is provided of temperature as a function of powering time at a full battery voltage in a First Heating Phase to ensure that the surface temperature of the glow plug will reach a predetermined temperature required to start combustion of an air/fuel mixture. A third map is provided of a PWM duty cycle for a Second Heating Phase to maintain the temperature of the glow plug to ensure flame propagation without damage to the glow plug.

Abstract: A liquid reductant dosing module for a combustion exhaust system is disclosed comprising an enclosed reservoir comprising a top, a bottom, one or more sides, an inlet, and an outlet. A resistive wire rod heater is disposed in that reservoir, comprising a hollow member extending along a first axis between the bottom of the reservoir and the top of the reservoir. Along that member there is disposed resistive metal wire such that when electric current is applied to the resistive metal wire, a greater portion of electric power is distributed as heat proximate to the bottom of the reservoir than is distributed as heat proximate to the top of the reservoir.

Abstract: A system for keeping a reservoir solution of urea in a liquid state at normally sub-freezing temperatures comprising a reservoir tank module having a heater and disposed in a solution storage tank. Solution in the storage tank is heated by passage of heat through the walls of the reservoir tank module which are formed of a hybrid of plastic polymer and metal, preferably a urea-resistant stainless steel, such that the thermal conductivity of the walls is sufficient to liquefy frozen solution in the storage tank in a practical time frame at an acceptable net manufacturing cost for the tank module. The hybrid combination may be formed in any of various arrangements such as, but not limited to, a lower portion formed of metal and an upper portion formed of plastic, or alternating bands and/or strips of metal and plastic. The optimum thicknesses of metal and plastic may be determined conventionally.

Abstract: A system for keeping a reservoir solution of urea in a liquid state at normally sub-freezing temperatures comprising a reservoir tank module disposed in a solution storage tank. Solution in the storage tank is heated partially by passage of heat through the walls of the reservoir tank module. Additional heat is derived from waste heat in engine exhaust gas and is added to the system either by passing a portion of the exhaust gas stream directly onto or through the solution or by passing air heated by the exhaust gas stream directly onto or through the solution. Alternatively, the hot gas may be impinged onto an outer surface of the storage tank.

Abstract: A system for keeping a reservoir solution of urea in a liquid state at normally sub-freezing temperatures comprising a reservoir tank module disposed in a solution storage tank. Solution in the storage tank is heated partially by passage of heat through the walls of the reservoir tank module. Additional heat is derived from waste heat in engine exhaust gas and is added to the system by passing a portion of the exhaust gas stream through a gas/liquid heat exchanger disposed within the solution in the storage tank. The cooled gas is returned to the exhaust system or is sent to the engine intake manifold for EGR.

Abstract: A variable buoyancy heater is provided. It comprises variable buoyancy float that includes a variable volume element. A first fluid is contained within the variable volume element and a heating element that is integral with the variable buoyancy float is provided. The heater is arranged to heat the first fluid wherein the variable volume element expands based on a temperature increase from the heating element, such that the variable buoyancy float becomes positively buoyant when the variable volume element expands and negatively buoyant when the heating element is off.

Abstract: A method for controlling a glow plug at a desired temperature. In a glow plug off state, the glow plug temperature status is monitored to prepare for the next combustion event. When ignition is requested, a determination is made as to how long full voltage can be applied to bring the glow plug to ignition temperature. A resistance/temperature map is provided to determine the resistance as a function of temperature. Another map is provided of temperature as a function of powering time at a full battery voltage in a First Heating Phase to ensure that the surface temperature of the glow plug will reach a predetermined temperature required to start combustion of an air/fuel mixture. A third map is provided of a PWM duty cycle for a Second Heating Phase to maintain the temperature of the glow plug to ensure flame propagation without damage to the glow plug.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an exhaust treatment system comprises a selective catalytic reduction device, an off-line reformer disposed in selective fluid communication with and upstream of the selective catalytic reduction device, and a plasma reactor disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the off-line reformer, and disposed upstream of and in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reduction device. The selective catalytic reduction device is capable of storing ammonia and of enabling the reaction of the ammonia with NOx. The reformer is capable of producing a reformate comprising hydrogen and nitrogen. The plasma reactor is capable of producing ammonia from the reformate, and is a thermal plasma reactor or a surface discharge non-thermal plasma reactor.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma (NTP) reactor structural conductor element includes a base conductor support and a high dielectric constant (“high k”) barrier layer supported by and substantially surrounding the base conductor support to form a structural conductor NTP reactor element. The structural conductor element may comprise a variety of shapes such as plates, sheets, half-box, I shapes, C shapes, or comb shapes, among others. In one embodiment, the dielectric barrier layer includes a coating applied to the base conductor support. In another embodiment, the dielectric barrier layer includes a high k film laminated to the base conductor support. In yet another embodiment, the base conductor support integrally forms the dielectric barrier layer via conversion of surfaces of the base conductor using electrochemical, thermal or chemical means to form the dielectric barrier layer.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma (NTP) reactor structural conductor element includes a base conductor support and a high dielectric constant (“high k”) barrier layer supported by and substantially surrounding the base conductor support to forma structural conductor NTP reactor element. The structural conductor element may comprise a variety of shapes such as plates, sheets, half-box, I shapes, C shapes, or comb shapes, among others.